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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Jan 2004 : 13:35:25
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Yesterday, the WotC site introduced us to a new feature on their website. It's called Rules of the Game, a new weekly article written by Skip Williams and said to 'tame those thorny issues' of the game that both new and old players sometimes have difficulty understanding.
This first part, tackles the sometimes difficult situations that arise when bonuses stack.
I hope you find it useful.
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Edited by - The Sage on 21 Jan 2004 13:37:38
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Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2004 : 20:58:36
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Indeed, this answers a certain question that our DM had no knowledge of, I'm ashamed to say..... |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2004 : 23:25:00
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Well great Sage Haven't WOTC done something similar to this before, except they put it in an in game environment, with transcripts of speech, narrative and of course the clear definition of the rules. The name of the section Eludes me now, but I am certain its added to the archive in the great vaults of the WOTC website. Hmmm I had a look at this before and I thought it was great, it clear up some ambiguities! Akin in nature to this new section.
Thanks for pointing this out Sage, I'd surly have missed it!
Hanx
Elrond
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Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2004 : 00:36:11
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Actually I seem to remember something like that as well, but when I had searched through the WotC site archives, I find it hadn't been updated in quite a while...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 14:39:01
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Sage, what we where both Talkign abotu is called 'Gamestoppers'. I found it useful, very useful but as you said WoTC have stopped updating it. But still it provides valuable knowledge for those who still play 3E. Its worth a look! Heres the URL
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnD_Features_Nav.asp?L=GS
This sectino is down just now, hopefully it will be brought back online soon.
Hanx
Elrond |
Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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Edain Shadowstar
Senior Scribe
USA
455 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2004 : 22:56:05
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| I think this kind of column is one of the reason the internet is so useful to the gaming community; it gives the game designers a more universily accessible forum with which to answer questions about mechanics. It is especially useful in those pesky gray areas that tend to pop up, and can be easily exploited by the opportunistic powergamers. In anycase, since the published D&D works have always carried their share of errors, it is nice Wizards has taken it upon themselves to use their website for more than product announcments and extra Realmslore (not that I mind extra Realmslore). |
Edain Shadowstar
Archwizard of Rel Astra and Waterdeep
"Mmm…pie…"
- Gaius Solarian, Captain General |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2004 : 13:22:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Elrond Half Elven
Sage, what we where both Talkign abotu is called 'Gamestoppers'. I found it useful, very useful but as you said WoTC have stopped updating it. But still it provides valuable knowledge for those who still play 3E. Its worth a look! Heres the URL
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnD_Features_Nav.asp?L=GS
This sectino is down just now, hopefully it will be brought back online soon.
Hanx
Elrond
Yes, that's the one. I think I've archived those particular articles in a PDF somewhere...I'll have to check.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2004 : 21:03:30
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Sounds and looks interesting. Of course, it's all in 3.5e, which I don't agree with completely, especially on some magic points.  But then, I'd be complaining if it were just 3e, since the new version does have some good points to it. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2004 : 09:22:27
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| Well, nothing new there. It'll be interesting to see if he goes on to explain why the sneak attack feature is so over-powered. (I've never really liked it. ) |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2004 : 12:52:23
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I've always seen the rules on 'sneak attack' as a necessary evil, part of the collective skills package that come with the Rogue class. I have at times (mostly unsuccessful) tried to create a number of alternate systems, but they never seem to fit just right...They either result in the Rogue class becoming over-balanced, or sorely undervalued, much like the 2e 'Thief'.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see what other tidbits Mr Williams brings us...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 25 Feb 2004 : 13:32:25
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The latest installment of the 'Rules of the Game' articles is up. Continuing with the All About Sneak Attacks theme, this column sees the analysis turn to unseen opponents and immobilization.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2004 : 05:32:32
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| Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this all sound like a review of knowledge from the DMG? |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2004 : 12:25:15
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Yes and no. Sometimes Mr Williams has some interesting input to add about a particular mechanic. Although, with all the emphasis WotC placed on making the revised rules easier to learn, you'd think such a column would be unnecessary.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2004 : 06:52:11
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Although, with all the emphasis WotC placed on making the revised rules easier to learn, you'd think such a column would be unnecessary.
Cole's Axiom:
The sum of the intelligence on the planet is constant; the population is growing.
But then, as someone who earns a paycheck cleaning up other people's computer messes, I'm sure that you'd know that one. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2004 : 19:45:01
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Oh yes there have! "In America, it's not how much you spend, it's how much you save." My otherwise cheapskate father is a perfect example of this.
Me: "Wait, why'd you buy this?"
Father: "Well, it was on sale . . . ." |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2004 : 11:57:41
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Okay, this week's update promises to "end our look at "beyond the basics" situations and dive right into the damage a sneak attack does as well as go over the number of sneak attacks you can do.".
Enjoy...and remember, your comments and thoughts on this article are encouraged...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2004 : 02:05:52
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A new day, and a new update...
The last part of the 'All About Sneak Attacks' series of articles has been released. It attempts to wrap up the series with a look at volley type attacks, weapons and armor, spells, and a totally unofficial rule regarding flanking.
Enjoy...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2004 : 10:09:51
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| I rather like that "unofficial rule." It makes sense, anyway. And I'm also glad about this installment answering a question on spells that I was wondering about. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2004 : 08:43:01
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Yes, it does have a certain appeal to it. I think the aspect of this ruling that allows the character to ignore certain flank attacks is something that can be considered very useful, especially in tight combat situations, like a narrow hallway or corridor.
I think I'll leave final judgement though, until I've actually play-tested the ruling myself...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2004 : 00:16:02
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It's time for another update...
Now, while I thought the contents of this latest 'Rules of the Game' article would be familiar to all non-metric system countries, it appears as though there might still be some confusion out there...
Anyway, it's called Going Metric. Here's the write-up from the site -
quote:
So, you enjoy the D&D game, but you hail from a place where the metric system rules minor little things such as weights and measures. You grew up thinking metric and you'd like to have a better idea of what the game's measurements actually represent. Dig out your books and sit down with Skip Williams as he makes some useful conversions for you! This week Skip covers the metric conversion factors and converts speed.
I still don't understand the reason for such an article, but if it helps you, then please...
Enjoy...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2004 : 08:34:44
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D&D is actually one of the few (very few) instances where I'm not championing the universal conversion of all archaic, outdated, outmoded measurement systems into the base-ten metric. It just doesn't matter for gameplay.
I'm sure that people who grew up with metric would feel somewhat differently, but I don't -- for once.
Note, all U.S. citizens: by international treaty, we were supposed to have switched to metric before I was born. By all rights, D&D actually should be a metric system!   |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Alexander Heppe
Seeker
Germany
62 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2004 : 11:18:02
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Well, I don´t see a need for this articles, because everyone hailing from "metric" countries knows how long a foot is, how long it takes to walk a mile and so on. By the way, using these old-fashioned (sorry, USA, you´re outdated) measurements gives the game a certain medieval flavour that I like to keep in my game (which is held in German, of course)
The German Edition of D&D has done the math already, and decided to make the "base"-measurement 1,5 meters (which is, believe it or not, approximately 5 feet) Now, the article switches this to 2 meters. I believe that this tones down the belief of reality, at least in Dungeon environments. The narrowest average hallways would then be almost 7 feet wide, meaning 2 humans and a halfling can walk easily side by side (O.K. they don´t have room to fight, but anyway)
A normally ten feet wide corridor would -by the article- become a 4 meter corridor, meaning 13,3 feet... makes all those cozy, narrow, dank, crawling dungeons rather comfortable, don´t you think?? |
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 05:50:26
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Yeah, one would think that as D&D approaches the 30 year mark, the whole metric conversion thing has been worked out by now by players.
I'll put it down to optimism and the hopes of helping brand new players who haven't had time to do the math.
Sarta |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 12:16:19
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Nice point -- I hadn't thought of it being anachronistic. Mostly I've just thought of the Imperial system as being so ridiculously outmoded that it's as funny as it is sad. I wonder why so many Americans think it's better? You have to memorize everything! Do they think that holding on to archaic systems makes them better?
Heh. I just thought of something. If the metric system was advertised as "new and improved," would it make it easier to switch? (Disregarding the fact that you can't have something both new and improved at the same time, that seems to be a favored advertising line in these parts.)
I hadn't looked at the measurements they'd posted, but you're right. Waaaay too big. When I first got into the D&D rules, I figured out my own metric conversion, and I also settled on 1.5m increments. The difference is less than an inch, after all.
As for roomy versus "cozy" (), I've thought for a while that five feet is a bit wide. I've been to Europe (lived in Italy for a few years, plus travel), and I loved poking around in old forts, castles, churches, and catacombes. One thing I learned was that "roomy" wasn't as important as "using space frugally" and the ever-popular "making sure that the roof doesn't fall in for lack of support." Now, I know that most dungeons are supposed to have been constructed by ancient kingdoms of dwarves, but it's a bit much. I'm sure that the DMs who want realism shorten some spaces.
Especially height. Being 193cm tall in a corridor built for people 160cm or less gives you such a crick in the neck. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Alexander Heppe
Seeker
Germany
62 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 13:27:56
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I can´t agree with you more totally. Being 188cm in height, I had my share of headaches while doing my personal dungeon delving in European castles. Ouch! Still hurts thinking about it. Besides, the worst headache I got -of all places possible- in a dungeon and torture museum (Creuzburg, which is just about 25 km from my home)
That was real torture, I tell you! (looking for your lost wife and doing a 180° means ramming an iron-framed door -that she closed behind me- with full force, well, she had a laugh, at least...)
Just found a pic: it happened in a hallway leading to this room http://www.creuzburg-online.de/Bilder/burg/imgs/Unbenannt13.jpg |
Edited by - Alexander Heppe on 18 Mar 2004 13:33:26 |
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2004 : 03:18:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
Mostly I've just thought of the Imperial system as being so ridiculously outmoded that it's as funny as it is sad. I wonder why so many Americans think it's better? You have to memorize everything! Do they think that holding on to archaic systems makes them better?
As a lazy American, I think I'm entitled to throw out my opinion. Our philosophy is that if we hold out long enough everyone else will switch to imperial. While this tactic may seem incredibly naive, it has worked pretty well with languages as more and more people in the world learn English.
There have been several pushes to spread the metric system here. Most cars made after the 70's have km/hr as well as miles/hr listed. Also, all of us are taught and use the metric system in school... and of course anything scientific is done using the metric system. The assumption was that if the youth are comfortable with the metric system, it will be easier in the future to make the switch, but this hasn't panned out yet.
Personally, I think if they would replace all measurements in American sporting events with the metric equivalents we'd see a metric America within a couple of years, but....
Sarta |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2004 : 08:55:08
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Yes, but unfortunately, I can't see sportscasters talking about the forty-five-point-seventy-two-meter line . . . .  |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2004 : 10:36:33
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A new sub-series of articles for this column has began. This week Mr. Williams addresses the D&D aspect of Polymorphing.
From the WotC website -
quote:
The ability to change forms has been part of fantastic lore since the dawn of time. From the werewolf to the doppelganger to wizard, creatures that can assume another guise and masquerade as something they're not are justifiably admired and feared. So, it's no surprise that the D&D game allows for several different modes of shape shifting. Dealing with a monster or character in a different form can get confusing; exactly what happens when a wizard polymorphs into a bluebird? Just what can a druid do when wildshaped into wolf? If you get a feeling of impending doom whenever someone even mentions the polymorph spell, read on and fear polymorphing no longer.
Enjoy...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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"Rules of the Game" - A new and useful D&D column
