General Discussion

[Yygdrasil]

Re: D&D

Ahh I see what you mean. I was clumsily lumping all PLDs into a stereotype. In my experience, PLDs have always come off as pushy because of their strict foundation of beliefs.

As for having vague posts. I'm dancing a fine line between alluding to and giving away information.

[Yygdrasil]

Re: D&D

I'm so FUCKING excited for Saturday. I can't wait to unveil what I have in store! You guys are gonna love it!

[Murphie]

Re: D&D

Dude, no one wants to see your penis. Sorry.

[Yygdrasil]

Re: D&D

Yeah, Mezlo. Get some goddamn pants.

---------- Post added at 02:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:30 AM ----------

Logging off for the day (work finally ended) and I wanted to leave a question here overnight.

Along with the synopsis that I'll be tacking to the OP in this thread, do you guys want me to also post my DM notes? It wouldn't be anything filled with spoilers, just my session prep .docs for each week. I'll edit out anything that would be personal notes and plans and leave nothing but the raw data for you guys to look over.

These .docs include things like Monster stats, pre-planned treasure and lengthy descriptions of various possible choices that the party could make.

I used to open my DM notebook to my old group after every session to show them that everything that happened was not only planned out... but not fudged in any way. It also helped them to understand the way I thought and to gear their choices appropriately.

It's entirely up to you guys, but I think that unless the decision is collective... I should probably keep it to myself.

[Armando]

Re: D&D

Along with the synopsis that I'll be tacking to the OP in this thread, do you guys want me to also post my DM notes?

Yes.

[cidbahamut]

Re: D&D

I'm going with "no" because it carries the risk of too much meta-gaming. I'd rather just enjoy the adventure as it happens. Maybe post your notes several sessions afterwards when they're no longer relevant to what we're doing, but I'd rather not have too much insight into your schemes this early.

Just my take on it.

[Mezlo]

Re: D&D

I'm going with "no" because it carries the risk of too much meta-gaming. I'd rather just enjoy the adventure as it happens. Maybe post your notes several sessions afterwards when they're no longer relevant to what we're doing, but I'd rather not have too much insight into your schemes this early.

Just my take on it.

this. and welcome back murph. see you this Saturday at 3pm EST! If anyone's pushy, it's Armando. Trying to turn our enemies into alcoholocs...

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 PM ----------

I'm so FUCKING excited for Saturday.

Me too Yyg!

---------- Post added at 12:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------

Yeah, Mezlo. Get some goddamn pants.

And I'm wearing pants! I just can't help it if the trouser snake slips out from time to time...

[Yygdrasil]

Re: D&D

If anyone's pushy, it's Armando. Trying to turn our enemies into alcoholocs.

He does do that.

Guard: "I'ma beat this tavern wench until she begs me not to!"
Armando: "Let me buy you a drink"

[Armando]

Re: D&D

I know most of you don't really care but I love forcing my love of math on others. You know how I was complaining that the damage variance is too high in D&D? I was doing a bit of math and found the solution: throw two die and add the results. Turns out when you do that, the further away a number is from the average, the less likely you are to get that sum. In fact, according to WolframMathworld if you throw an infinite number of dice you get a normal distribution.



tl;dr 2d4 weapons do about as much damage on average as 1d10 weapons but are MUCH more consistent.

Also the probability of hitting an enemy is 1-0.05(Enemy's AC-1 + Your total Attack Bonus).

/math

[Mezlo]

Re: D&D

Yes, that's why I'm looking forward to getting my fireball spell...

[Yygdrasil]

Re: D&D

That is exactly why when you look at any of the source books, you'll see that if a monster is level say... 10 and it has a hit die of d10, they always average it's HP out to be 45-55.

10d10 = a median distribution of +/-50... while 1d100 has equal chance to grant you a 99 as it does a 2.

While Adding more HD does decrease your chances of hitting drastically high numbers, it also increases your floor. With 10d10 you guarantee yourself no less than a 10 while 1d100 poses a threat of 10>.

GG was all about equal distribution.

[Armando]

Re: D&D

10d10 = a median distribution of +/-50...

55 actually, since your floor is 10. The average is (10+100)/2 = 55.

GG was all about equal distribution.

I think you mean normal distribution. Equal would be what you mentioned (same chance of rolling 1HP as 100HP.)

The bit about the monster HP is pretty enlightening. My gripe with the damage is that while my damage may average out throughout the fight, there's a very big difference in terms of what happens on the next turn between rolling a 1 and rolling an 8 for damage. Seems to me this is more a low level issue though, since by level 6 fighters start hitting twice if they weren't already using two weapons.

But changing every weapon to involve at least two die would be a pain in the ass. I'll just buy a 2d4 weapon later.

[Yygdrasil]

Re: D&D

In other news, I dug out my old old binder from back before I ever thought about being a DM and dredged up my character sheet. For lulz, here's what I used to play in AD&D.

Name: Rhysis 'Dahn
CLass: Monk Lv 16
Alignment: Lawful/Neutral
Race: Halfling
Diety: 'Dahnite

STR - 17 (+3)
DEX - 24 (+7)
CON - 14 (+2)
INT - 15 (+2)
WIS - 22 (+6)
CHA - 16 (+3)

Fort - +12
Ref - +16
Will - +14

HP: 126
AC: 30
BAB: +12/+9/+6/+3
Damage (unarmed): 1d20+5

Fighting Techniques:

Will to Power (Add Will Save to DMG: Will Save DC29 to succeed)
Tiger Paws
Mantis Claws
Wind in the Willows (Reflex Save Vs Spells to Evade)
Sight of Stars (Replace INT Modifiers with WIS Modifier)

Special Abilities/Feats:

Deflect Arrows
Still Mind
Slow Fall (any distance)
Purity of Body
Feather Fall (at will)
Improved Trip
Wholeness of Body
Dodge
Improved Evasion
Ki Strike (+3)
Diamond Body
Abundant Step
Diamond Soul
Quivering Palm

I was a boss.

---------- Post added at 03:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:56 PM ----------

55 actually, since your floor is 10. The average is (10+100)/2 = 55.I think you mean normal distribution. Equal would be what you mentioned (same chance of rolling 1HP as 100HP.)

You are correct sir. I was mistaken in my wording. My mind was in the right place by my words were not.

[cidbahamut]

Re: D&D

How on earth did you get ability scores that high by only level 16?

[Yygdrasil]

Re: D&D

I rolled naturally high to begin with, combined with racial modifiers, enchanted equipment and my bonus points I got every 4 levels (4 total), I climbed to where I was at that point.

iirc, I dumped all 4 of those bonus points into WIS as time passed. Dex was boosted racially and then augmented by my equipment. The remaining stats were natural rolls... and small amounts of enchanted gear.