DS stats? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

DS stats?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Jul 09, 2004 11:08:07 Ok, this is probably a stupid question:

In the 2E Dark Sun rules the stats go higher than 18 so how would you pointbuy a 24 point system?

Is the 24 max system still in place?

The reason for this is that I really dislike rolling, it favors some players over others.
This way at least each player starts out with equal potential.
#2
Sysane
Jul 09, 2004 12:26:23 I think it depends if you want characters with super stats. Which is part of DS. I had players use a 32 point buy system. With the inceased racial stat bonuses that makes for some high stats.

The standard is usual a 28 point buy. If I'm not mistaken 24 points was with Living Grey Hawk.
#3
zombiegleemax
Jul 09, 2004 13:06:45 The boosted stats from 319?
#4
Sysane
Jul 09, 2004 13:11:59 I misread your original post. My bad. Stats now go beyond 24 with no cap.
#5
zombiegleemax
Jul 09, 2004 13:45:35 so I probably misread the 2E stat system thanks.
#6
xlorepdarkhelm_dup
Jul 09, 2004 16:16:20 Don't forget: 2E Stats are not the same thing as 3/3.5E Abilities. More than a name change, the values represent something radically different - with 3/3.5e being much more flexible in that any Ability has no theoretical maximum.

Now - I use the point-buy method for 3.5e. I also give my players 35 points to spend. I do this, to help counteract the fact that there's little to no magical items to be found in my Dark Sun. Sure, characters have higher stats, but most of my characters end up *maybe* getting ahold of a +1 weapon at level 18 or 19. Psionic items are a bit more prolific on my Dark Sun, however I still regulate those - basically, anything higher than a +3 bonus, or that can manifest more than a level 3 power (or other roughly equivalent-powered items), is restricted, and confiscated upon entry into a city-state (which has functioning Templars and a Sorcerer-King) - ALL magic items are likewise confiscated (and those who possess them are fined, or arrested for carrying such contriband) - ostensibly to protect the people in some cases, but primarily to be added to the Sorcerer-King's vaults, and be used by the Templars or others under his/her employ. sure - the Templars can be bribed, and people can hide the items - but this is something I have in place to keep the number of magic and psionic items around limited.
#7
zombiegleemax
Jul 10, 2004 11:11:35 Thanks

I could use more info on restrictions and things like that.
#8
zombiegleemax
Jul 11, 2004 2:46:22 Deaths Warden:

Even the point-buy system is trully fair to the players. Races with stat bonuses always get the better end of this variant.

Xlored DarkHelm:

Your players must loath(sp?) getting into a city-state.
#9
zombiegleemax
Jul 11, 2004 12:05:52 But that's the point races with stat bonuses get higher stats.

Humans get the feat and tada.
#10
xlorepdarkhelm_dup
Jul 11, 2004 14:23:07
Originally posted by Donblas, the Justice Maker
Xlored DarkHelm:

Your players must loath(sp?) getting into a city-state.

Actually, not really. Why? Because they rarely see magical/psionic items anyway. There's no "Ye Olde Magic Wares" or "Psionic Pawnshop" to be found in my Dark Sun. Sorcerer-Kings jealously hoard and collect magic and psionic items - and magic is generally considered unnatural and is not trusted by the population (regardless of arcane or divine origins - to the average Athasian people, magic is magic. And Magic destroyed the world, so Magic is feared, loathed and hunted - most people need a one-on-one explanation as to show the differences between the various types of magic. Heck, many even need to be explained the difference between psionics and magic. Magic items are extremely rare - and usually treasured even more than metal (metal magic items being among the most treasured items in the world). Psionics is less valuable, as psionics are generally more accepted - but, just because they are accepted, it doesn't mean that the Sorcerer-Kings wouldn't confiscate items that they themselves may want or desire (or rather, their Templarate would, I mean, what's the odds that a Templar would covet something).

My players usually learn how to line the gate Templars pockets, or conceal/hide items on their person, or a combination of the two. Those that don't - well, they basically ignored all the clues that this was a good idea, and I'm not in the practice of awarding blatant ignorance and stupidity - they end up losing their items, and potentially becoming arrested (if it's a magic item).

But generally, I give all kinds of reasons to not be thrilled about entering a city-state. Then again, I also make it extra rough outside the city-states (open wilderness during heat of day can be generally bad, and neglegence when it comes to keeping water or some other valuable part of survival usually ends up with dead characters). So, their choices are usually akin to the proverbial rock and a hard place. Athas is a harsh, dangerous world. My players either learn this fast, or end up making a new character every (or every other) game session for a few weeks. After a few times, they generally figure it out. I lived out in desert conditions for about 6 years (mojave desert in California, near Death Valley), so I draw upon that experience, and then compound it based on the conditions that the filler/flavor text for Dark Sun has provided.
#11
zombiegleemax
Jul 12, 2004 13:29:12
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
Actually, not really. Why? Because they rarely see magical/psionic items anyway. There's no "Ye Olde Magic Wares" or "Psionic Pawnshop" to be found in my Dark Sun.

As in mine :D

Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
...and magic is generally considered unnatural and is not trusted by the population (regardless of arcane or divine origins - to the average Athasian people, magic is magic. And Magic destroyed the world, so Magic is feared, loathed and hunted - most people need a one-on-one explanation as to show the differences between the various types of magic.

I instill that fear and hatred of magic, but not because the people know that magic ruined their once verdant world, the average person only hates it. Why? They really don't know why, but their parents always said that it's bad, and they heard it from their grandparents and so on. It has been a long time since the end of the Cleasing Wars.

BTW I instill the same fear (without the hatred, mostly ;)) with the druids. SK propaganda can be VERY convincing. :D

Still I think that psionic items and psionics in general would be largely acceptable (yet no Ye Olde Psionic Pawnshop).

Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
Magic items are extremely rare - and usually treasured even more than metal (metal magic items being among the most treasured items in the world).

OTOH I make all magic items (except potions of course) need some amout of metal in them. It makes them rare and really valuable in Athas.

I really don't make the SKs take their items away at the gates, but if they make anything stupid within the city-state, I usually claim the items (if the crime isn't punishable by slavery or death) as a fine and expel them from the city state for a certain amount of time.

Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
I lived out in desert conditions for about 6 years (mojave desert in California, near Death Valley), so I draw upon that experience, and then compound it based on the conditions that the filler/flavor text for Dark Sun has provided.

That's cool! I live in big city and never had any kind of desert experience, I'm sure that you can really pass the hardships of Athasian landscape to your players.

Must be very fun to play with you.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jul 09, 2004 11:08:07	Ok, this is probably a stupid question: In the 2E Dark Sun rules the stats go higher than 18 so how would you pointbuy a 24 point system? Is the 24 max system still in place? The reason for this is that I really dislike rolling, it favors some players over others. This way at least each player starts out with equal potential.
#2 Sysane Jul 09, 2004 12:26:23	I think it depends if you want characters with super stats. Which is part of DS. I had players use a 32 point buy system. With the inceased racial stat bonuses that makes for some high stats. The standard is usual a 28 point buy. If I'm not mistaken 24 points was with Living Grey Hawk.
#3 zombiegleemax Jul 09, 2004 13:06:45	The boosted stats from 319?
#4 Sysane Jul 09, 2004 13:11:59	I misread your original post. My bad. Stats now go beyond 24 with no cap.
#5 zombiegleemax Jul 09, 2004 13:45:35	so I probably misread the 2E stat system thanks.
#6 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jul 09, 2004 16:16:20	Don't forget: 2E Stats are not the same thing as 3/3.5E Abilities. More than a name change, the values represent something radically different - with 3/3.5e being much more flexible in that any Ability has no theoretical maximum. Now - I use the point-buy method for 3.5e. I also give my players 35 points to spend. I do this, to help counteract the fact that there's little to no magical items to be found in my Dark Sun. Sure, characters have higher stats, but most of my characters end up maybe getting ahold of a +1 weapon at level 18 or 19. Psionic items are a bit more prolific on my Dark Sun, however I still regulate those - basically, anything higher than a +3 bonus, or that can manifest more than a level 3 power (or other roughly equivalent-powered items), is restricted, and confiscated upon entry into a city-state (which has functioning Templars and a Sorcerer-King) - ALL magic items are likewise confiscated (and those who possess them are fined, or arrested for carrying such contriband) - ostensibly to protect the people in some cases, but primarily to be added to the Sorcerer-King's vaults, and be used by the Templars or others under his/her employ. sure - the Templars can be bribed, and people can hide the items - but this is something I have in place to keep the number of magic and psionic items around limited.
#7 zombiegleemax Jul 10, 2004 11:11:35	Thanks I could use more info on restrictions and things like that.
#8 zombiegleemax Jul 11, 2004 2:46:22	Deaths Warden: Even the point-buy system is trully fair to the players. Races with stat bonuses always get the better end of this variant. Xlored DarkHelm: Your players must loath(sp?) getting into a city-state.
#9 zombiegleemax Jul 11, 2004 12:05:52	But that's the point races with stat bonuses get higher stats. Humans get the feat and tada.
#10 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jul 11, 2004 14:23:07	Originally posted by Donblas, the Justice Maker Xlored DarkHelm: Your players must loath(sp?) getting into a city-state. Actually, not really. Why? Because they rarely see magical/psionic items anyway. There's no "Ye Olde Magic Wares" or "Psionic Pawnshop" to be found in my Dark Sun. Sorcerer-Kings jealously hoard and collect magic and psionic items - and magic is generally considered unnatural and is not trusted by the population (regardless of arcane or divine origins - to the average Athasian people, magic is magic. And Magic destroyed the world, so Magic is feared, loathed and hunted - most people need a one-on-one explanation as to show the differences between the various types of magic. Heck, many even need to be explained the difference between psionics and magic. Magic items are extremely rare - and usually treasured even more than metal (metal magic items being among the most treasured items in the world). Psionics is less valuable, as psionics are generally more accepted - but, just because they are accepted, it doesn't mean that the Sorcerer-Kings wouldn't confiscate items that they themselves may want or desire (or rather, their Templarate would, I mean, what's the odds that a Templar would covet something). My players usually learn how to line the gate Templars pockets, or conceal/hide items on their person, or a combination of the two. Those that don't - well, they basically ignored all the clues that this was a good idea, and I'm not in the practice of awarding blatant ignorance and stupidity - they end up losing their items, and potentially becoming arrested (if it's a magic item). But generally, I give all kinds of reasons to not be thrilled about entering a city-state. Then again, I also make it extra rough outside the city-states (open wilderness during heat of day can be generally bad, and neglegence when it comes to keeping water or some other valuable part of survival usually ends up with dead characters). So, their choices are usually akin to the proverbial rock and a hard place. Athas is a harsh, dangerous world. My players either learn this fast, or end up making a new character every (or every other) game session for a few weeks. After a few times, they generally figure it out. I lived out in desert conditions for about 6 years (mojave desert in California, near Death Valley), so I draw upon that experience, and then compound it based on the conditions that the filler/flavor text for Dark Sun has provided.
#11 zombiegleemax Jul 12, 2004 13:29:12	Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm Actually, not really. Why? Because they rarely see magical/psionic items anyway. There's no "Ye Olde Magic Wares" or "Psionic Pawnshop" to be found in my Dark Sun. As in mine :D Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm ...and magic is generally considered unnatural and is not trusted by the population (regardless of arcane or divine origins - to the average Athasian people, magic is magic. And Magic destroyed the world, so Magic is feared, loathed and hunted - most people need a one-on-one explanation as to show the differences between the various types of magic. I instill that fear and hatred of magic, but not because the people know that magic ruined their once verdant world, the average person only hates it. Why? They really don't know why, but their parents always said that it's bad, and they heard it from their grandparents and so on. It has been a long time since the end of the Cleasing Wars. BTW I instill the same fear (without the hatred, mostly ;)) with the druids. SK propaganda can be VERY convincing. :D Still I think that psionic items and psionics in general would be largely acceptable (yet no Ye Olde Psionic Pawnshop). Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm Magic items are extremely rare - and usually treasured even more than metal (metal magic items being among the most treasured items in the world). OTOH I make all magic items (except potions of course) need some amout of metal in them. It makes them rare and really valuable in Athas. I really don't make the SKs take their items away at the gates, but if they make anything stupid within the city-state, I usually claim the items (if the crime isn't punishable by slavery or death) as a fine and expel them from the city state for a certain amount of time. Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm I lived out in desert conditions for about 6 years (mojave desert in California, near Death Valley), so I draw upon that experience, and then compound it based on the conditions that the filler/flavor text for Dark Sun has provided. That's cool! I live in big city and never had any kind of desert experience, I'm sure that you can really pass the hardships of Athasian landscape to your players. Must be very fun to play with you.