Ability Scores:
Simplified score adjustment rules:
For
every 2 points deducted from other scores, 1 point may be added to a prime
requisite. Only the prime requisite may
be improved. Constitution and charisma
may not be altered. Dexterity can not be
lowered. No score can be lowered below
9.
Intelligence: number of additional languages known
reduced from 8 to 3 and penalty given for low scores as follows:
3
|
Difficulty
speaking
|
4-5
|
Illiterate
|
6-8
|
Simple
writing skill
|
9-12
|
Normal
verbal and literacy skill
|
13-15
|
One
additional language
|
16-17
|
Two
additional languages
|
18
|
Three
additional languages
|
All the ability bonus/penalties follow this uniform
pattern.
3
|
-3
|
4-5
|
-2
|
6-8
|
-1
|
9-12
|
No
Adjustment
|
13-15
|
+1
|
16-17
|
+2
|
18
|
+3
|
Strength open doors bonus increased from maximum of +2 in
D&D74.
Strength bonus/penalty added to both attack and damage.
Wisdom provides a saving throw benefit or penalty for all
“magic based” saving throws.
Dexterity missile bonus/penalty changed from +1 (13-18)
or -1 (3-8).
Dexterity armor class bonus/penalty added.
Constitution HP
bonus/penalty increased from D&D74’s +1 (15-18) or -1 (3-6)
Charisma instead of affecting the loyalty and maximum
number of hireling as does D&D74, the Charisma score in D&D94 serves as
an adjustment factor on the reaction table.
Discussion: The simplified ability score adjustment mechanic seems like a reasonable and useful change . I also like most of the ideas regarding what high or low ability scores affect, with the exception of intelligence. The idea that intelligence determines literacy does not strike me as a good one. The dexterity bonus to Armor Class is also one that is probably best not taken.
The main issue though is the amounts of the adjustment and that is certainly one of the details OD&Ders point to as a problem in later games. The idea of a single table of bonuses and penalties is, I think, laudable and a good design feature but, +2 and +3!! bonuses is clearly over the top. Who wouldn't want a +3 in everything, and who wouldn't feel cheated if they had only "normal" scores?
Instead, a simple +1 or -1 is much more in line with the philosophy of OD&D and there are already two models to choose from - the Constitution bonus for scores of 15-18 or the Dexterity bonus for scores of 13-18. We might keep the areas each score affects but alter the table along the broader lines of the Dexterity bonus of OD&D, as follows:
Discussion: The simplified ability score adjustment mechanic seems like a reasonable and useful change . I also like most of the ideas regarding what high or low ability scores affect, with the exception of intelligence. The idea that intelligence determines literacy does not strike me as a good one. The dexterity bonus to Armor Class is also one that is probably best not taken.
The main issue though is the amounts of the adjustment and that is certainly one of the details OD&Ders point to as a problem in later games. The idea of a single table of bonuses and penalties is, I think, laudable and a good design feature but, +2 and +3!! bonuses is clearly over the top. Who wouldn't want a +3 in everything, and who wouldn't feel cheated if they had only "normal" scores?
Instead, a simple +1 or -1 is much more in line with the philosophy of OD&D and there are already two models to choose from - the Constitution bonus for scores of 15-18 or the Dexterity bonus for scores of 13-18. We might keep the areas each score affects but alter the table along the broader lines of the Dexterity bonus of OD&D, as follows:
|
Score
|
Effect
|
|
3-8
|
-1
|
|
9-12
|
none
|
|
13-18
|
+1
|
1 comments:
I have been having a problem with a module you know a lot about I believe from something you mentioned and I would love some advice if you have the time. Thanks so much
Sam
samkochel @ yahoo.com
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