[ds3-r6 feedback] Race: Dwarf - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

[ds3-r6 feedback] Race: Dwarf

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
flip
Apr 19, 2006 14:57:09 This is the first of the feedback threads I'm going to be running. The results of these threads are not garunteed to go into R7, but would definately make it into R8.

Ground rule: Please don't start the threads yourself. I've got elevated privledges that let me actually manage the threads that I start, but not arbitrary threads. Also, I'd just like to keep the pacing under control.

Ground rule: This is for feedback and observations from acutal playing, be that PC or NPC/enemy combatant. Either way, this is not the place for armchair theorizing. I want to see what a year's worth of experience has laid out.

Ground rule: Keep the thread on topic. If you must stray, start a new thread.

That said. I'll start off with Dwarves. I'm looking for feedback on the athas.org impelmentation of Dwarves. How do the racial abilities (particularly Focus) play out in acutal practice? Anything that doesn't work, anything that's overpowered. Anything that's just not clear enough as written?
#2
flip
Apr 19, 2006 14:57:54 (saved for status updates)
#3
dirk00001
Apr 19, 2006 15:48:57 1) The focus bonus wording needs to be a little more specific and reworded so it's more '3.5e'-ish. Something like "+1 morale bonus to all melee and ranged attack rolls and damage, saving throws, ability checks and skill checks that directly relate to the character's current focus. Additionally, the saving throw DCs of spells cast or powers manifested by the character are increased by +1 when used for a purpose that directly relates to their current focus. "

2) As a DM I love dwarves as NPC villains, but none of my PCs will play them...and in both cases one of the main reasons is that there is no set rule as to what actually causes a dwarf to become a banshee. This is somewhat more of a TotDL issue than a DS core rulebook one, I realize, but it might be worth expanding upon banshee-dom in the dwarf entry. I really don't have much in the way of suggestions as to what to say, however - maybe a table or something that gives DCs for different types of focuses and you make a character level check, Wisdom check, or Will save (or something...) to see if you come back as a banshee or not. *shrug* At the very least, different "levels" of focuses should probably be described, and it mentioned that dying while trying to complete a major focus can result in banshee-dom. I recall there being something in 2e about this, I think you got bonus XP based on how far-reaching the focus was (does it take a day to complete? Week? Month? etc.), so there might be something to reference for this.
#4
Sysane
Apr 19, 2006 17:29:06 I love the concept of the dwarven focus. None of my players really want to play one though. Even though I already made a PrC. "The Obstinate Soul", which broadens their focus ability, maybe some dwarf only feats can be developed which would expand the dwarven focus ability a little more.
#5
kalthandrix
Apr 19, 2006 18:18:47 I have a dwarf in my group- he is a jerk...I mean he can be unpleasant at times.

That being said, I agree with needing a clearer definition of the focus and a bit more guidance on what would make a dwarf a banshee. I also think that there should be a penality to dwarf checks when they have a focus but are not actively working on getting'er done.
#6
ruhl-than_sage
Apr 19, 2006 18:37:05 I've run more dwarf NPCs in my game then anything other than human, but none of my players have gone for the race so far. I think Dirk00001's suggestions for the focus ability are well worded, but the ability does need to be more clearly defined then even that. I think examples and guidlines for focuses are needed. I've described it in more detail to my players, but it would be nice for it to be in the actual book, because the description in the book is far from being complete enough for my players to understand what sort of things are acceptable focuses and what aren't and when they would gain bonuses just from reading it. I'm sure that less expienced DMs would have a much harder time with the whole thing.

As to the Banshee issue, maybe there should be a percentage table with circumstanial modifers. I've just made the personal judgement when NPC dwarves have died, but it would be nice to have a chart to randomly determine whether a Dwarf becomes a banshee or not.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 flip Apr 19, 2006 14:57:09	This is the first of the feedback threads I'm going to be running. The results of these threads are not garunteed to go into R7, but would definately make it into R8. Ground rule: Please don't start the threads yourself. I've got elevated privledges that let me actually manage the threads that I start, but not arbitrary threads. Also, I'd just like to keep the pacing under control. Ground rule: This is for feedback and observations from acutal playing, be that PC or NPC/enemy combatant. Either way, this is not the place for armchair theorizing. I want to see what a year's worth of experience has laid out. Ground rule: Keep the thread on topic. If you must stray, start a new thread. That said. I'll start off with Dwarves. I'm looking for feedback on the athas.org impelmentation of Dwarves. How do the racial abilities (particularly Focus) play out in acutal practice? Anything that doesn't work, anything that's overpowered. Anything that's just not clear enough as written?
#2 flip Apr 19, 2006 14:57:54	(saved for status updates)
#3 dirk00001 Apr 19, 2006 15:48:57	1) The focus bonus wording needs to be a little more specific and reworded so it's more '3.5e'-ish. Something like "+1 morale bonus to all melee and ranged attack rolls and damage, saving throws, ability checks and skill checks that directly relate to the character's current focus. Additionally, the saving throw DCs of spells cast or powers manifested by the character are increased by +1 when used for a purpose that directly relates to their current focus. " 2) As a DM I love dwarves as NPC villains, but none of my PCs will play them...and in both cases one of the main reasons is that there is no set rule as to what actually causes a dwarf to become a banshee. This is somewhat more of a TotDL issue than a DS core rulebook one, I realize, but it might be worth expanding upon banshee-dom in the dwarf entry. I really don't have much in the way of suggestions as to what to say, however - maybe a table or something that gives DCs for different types of focuses and you make a character level check, Wisdom check, or Will save (or something...) to see if you come back as a banshee or not. shrug At the very least, different "levels" of focuses should probably be described, and it mentioned that dying while trying to complete a major focus can result in banshee-dom. I recall there being something in 2e about this, I think you got bonus XP based on how far-reaching the focus was (does it take a day to complete? Week? Month? etc.), so there might be something to reference for this.
#4 Sysane Apr 19, 2006 17:29:06	I love the concept of the dwarven focus. None of my players really want to play one though. Even though I already made a PrC. "The Obstinate Soul", which broadens their focus ability, maybe some dwarf only feats can be developed which would expand the dwarven focus ability a little more.
#5 kalthandrix Apr 19, 2006 18:18:47	I have a dwarf in my group- he is a jerk...I mean he can be unpleasant at times. That being said, I agree with needing a clearer definition of the focus and a bit more guidance on what would make a dwarf a banshee. I also think that there should be a penality to dwarf checks when they have a focus but are not actively working on getting'er done.
#6 ruhl-than_sage Apr 19, 2006 18:37:05	I've run more dwarf NPCs in my game then anything other than human, but none of my players have gone for the race so far. I think Dirk00001's suggestions for the focus ability are well worded, but the ability does need to be more clearly defined then even that. I think examples and guidlines for focuses are needed. I've described it in more detail to my players, but it would be nice for it to be in the actual book, because the description in the book is far from being complete enough for my players to understand what sort of things are acceptable focuses and what aren't and when they would gain bonuses just from reading it. I'm sure that less expienced DMs would have a much harder time with the whole thing. As to the Banshee issue, maybe there should be a percentage table with circumstanial modifers. I've just made the personal judgement when NPC dwarves have died, but it would be nice to have a chart to randomly determine whether a Dwarf becomes a banshee or not.