I don't actually own Unearthed Arcana, but I like the idea of a class bonus to Defense, having played both Star Wars and d20 Modern.
However, from what I've seen on the boards, most people like the idea of a class bonus, but don't like Unearthed Arcana's implementation of said bonus.
So, here's what I've decided to do. I'm going to use armor as Damage Reduction, and use the class defense bonuses from Star Wars. These have been playtested to death and are very stable bonuses. I'm going to use a low (Noble, Scoundrel), medium (Fringer, Force Adept), and high (Soldier, Jedi Guardian) progression. It will look like so:
EDIT: Forget those goofy little tables...now, behold the power of this fully operational period key!!!
:evillaugh
:evillaugh :evillaughBasic Classes (Dark Sun 3.5)
I actually have my own structure to it, as I do have Unearthed Arcana, and I also have both core books for the Star Wars d20 system. I kinda hybridized the two, and figured out a method I like. Honestly, my Dark Sun campaigns use a number of rules variants.
Cool. Could ya' post your house rule? I'd love to look at it.
Cool. Could ya' post your house rule? I'd love to look at it.
My house rules umm... are probably about 30 pages long, and rather unpostable, as within them, I've rewritten much of the flavor of the Wanderer's Journal as well to erase elements from within it that included references to the Sorcerer-Kings being Dragons, the existence of any Dragons other than The Dragon, and anything else I felt that the "common man" just wouldn't know. Most of my house rules are ideas taken from Unearthed Arcana, but some things I preferred the Star Wars rulebook for (namely, I like Vitality/Wound points, armor as DR, Defense Bonus) - and looking it over, our writeups for the Defense Bonus/Armor as DR are along the same lines. From Unearthed Arcana, I really restructure the game's mechanics... so much that my Dark Sun rules are almost not recognizeable as d20 system any more.
...looking it over, our writeups for the Defense Bonus/Armor as DR are along the same lines.
Okay, so - to cut to the chase - does what I've proposed look balanced and logical? If not, what about it needs to be changed?
My house rules umm... are probably about 30 pages long, and rather unpostable, as within them, I've rewritten much of the flavor of the Wanderer's Journal as well to erase elements from within it that included references to the Sorcerer-Kings being Dragons, the existence of any Dragons other than The Dragon, and anything else I felt that the "common man" just wouldn't know. Most of my house rules are ideas taken from Unearthed Arcana, but some things I preferred the Star Wars rulebook for (namely, I like Vitality/Wound points, armor as DR, Defense Bonus) - and looking it over, our writeups for the Defense Bonus/Armor as DR are along the same lines. From Unearthed Arcana, I really restructure the game's mechanics... so much that my Dark Sun rules are almost not recognizeable as d20 system any more.
Wow now Im really interested in your House Rules. Sounds like what Ive been trying to do... Any way we can see your house rules, website, email, etc?
Okay, so - to cut to the chase - does what I've proposed look balanced and logical? If not, what about it needs to be changed?
It seems balanced and logical. I gotta do more to look it over, but from a glance, we both were on the same path.
Wow now Im really interested in your House Rules. Sounds like what Ive been trying to do... Any way we can see your house rules, website, email, etc?
Actually, I basically just finished putting them into a thread of their own: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=421117
I have thought of one method however (instead of using damage reduction). I was thinking about including the defense bonuses as a dodge bonus. This way it could be lost if the player is flatfooted. Armor on the other hand (if worn) would retain its bonus. Here it gets strange, armor doesn't stack normally with the defense bonus, they overlap then stack. For every non-magical bonus that the armor grants I subtract that amount from the defense bonus, what is left over from the defense stacks together with the armor bonus plus any magical bonuses granted.
Example: Defense +6, Armor +1 leather: AC +3,
First seperate the magic bonus from the standard bonus of the armor.
Leather +2 Magic +1
Subtract the Armor bonus from the Defense bonus
6-2 = 4
The new Defense bonus when wearing leather armor is +4 (treat as a dodge bonus)
Now add the new Defense bonus to the Armor bonus, including the magic bonus
4+2+1
The total Armor class bonus would be +7, if caught flat footed it would be +3
(don't forget to add your dexterity modifier!)
Edit:
I wanted to Add another example but ran out of time here.
Here is what happens when the defense bonus is lower than the armor bonus. ( With a dexterity bonus of +0, so its not included)
Example: Defense +2, Armor: Studded leather (non magical)(+3),
Since there is no magic bonus included we ignore the first step.
Now we subtract the armor bonus from the defense bonus
2-3= -1
This is the new defense bonus, however it can't drop below zero so it is now zero
Add the armor bonus to the new defense bonus
3+0=3
The Armor class bonus is three. If the player is flatfooted it remains +3.
the rundown: Armor bonus +3, Defense bonus +2,
Modified Defense bonus with Armor +0,
AC: 13 Flatfooted AC: 13
now same character
with no armor: Armor bonus +0, Defense bonus +2,
Modified Defense bonus +2
Ac: 12 Flatfooted AC: 10