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May 25, 2013, 9:24am

Original D&D Discussion :: Dungeons & Dragons (1971-1978) :: Men & Magic (1974) :: How Hobbit PCs are Handled

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Topic: How Hobbit PCs are Handled (Read 1,032 times)

SMKSensei
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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #15 on Apr 9, 2012, 2:49pm »

I'm thinking I want to run a session or two where ALL the PC's are hobbits.

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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #16 on Apr 9, 2012, 2:59pm »

Apr 9, 2012, 2:35pm, Finarvyn wrote:

This is obviously Gary's dislike of Tolkien showing through, as well as his astonishment at his players wanting to play them.

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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #17 on Apr 9, 2012, 3:43pm »

My observation is that a 4th-level Hobbit Fighter is no pansy; with good Constitution and magic weapon/armor, he's tougher than an Ogre, and if Chainmail combat is used, he gains all the benefits of fighting as a Hero.

Maybe Gygax saw Hobbits as a sort of challenge for more experienced role-players who want to play a scrappy underdog?

In one campaign I DM'd in the past, I allowed players of demi-human PC's who reach their level limit to roll up a 2nd PC (or 3rd when that PC reaches max level, etc.). Using LotR as an example, Frodo/Sam/Merry/Pippin could all be controlled by the same player.

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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #18 on Apr 9, 2012, 5:31pm »

http://odd74.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=workshop&action=display&thread=2110

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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #19 on Apr 10, 2012, 3:44pm »

Apr 3, 2012, 3:39pm, mushgnome wrote:

I think where the later editions got it wrong is the modern idea of "balance," that all PCs must be equal in power and have equal opportunity to contribute. The two most egregious examples I can think of are the concepts of point-buy for stats and guaranteed-wealth-by-level.

Balance is one of the problems I have with newer editions too. Why would a person dedicate their entire lives to magic when they can be just as powerful as a man with a big sword?

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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #20 on Apr 15, 2012, 8:52am »

Apr 9, 2012, 9:38am, gronanofsimmerya wrote:

The idea that everyone must be the same level shocked me the first time I encountered it.

It has to be a fairly recent (i.e. post-2000) notion, because there was simply no way that a group of characters of different classes would ever be the same level, even given equal XP distribution.

« Last Edit: Apr 15, 2012, 10:18am by jamesm »

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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #21 on Apr 15, 2012, 9:07am »

Apr 15, 2012, 8:52am, jamesm wrote:

Apr 9, 2012, 9:38am, gronanofsimmerya wrote:

The idea that everyone must be the same level shocked me the first time I encountered it.

I has to be a fairly recent (i.e. post-2000) notion, because there was simply no way that a group of characters of different classes would ever be the same level, even given equal XP distribution.

3rd edition (2000) unified the XP tables and removed racial level and class restrictions. Thus the halfling barbarian 5/sorcerer 6/thief 9 was born!

(edit to say) this isn't all bad; my 3rd edition campaign was memorable! We had a halfling sorcerer who was basically played as an illusionist-thief; I never saw a player get more mileage out of ventriloquism!

« Last Edit: Apr 15, 2012, 11:05am by mushgnome »

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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #22 on Apr 17, 2012, 2:23am »

I'd like it if one of my players played a halfling but it seems they don't go for the short with hairy feet look.

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thedegenerateelite
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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #23 on Apr 20, 2012, 12:02am »

I have been thinking about adding a Hobbit or Halfling Sheriff class as an option in my games.

You know the boarder watch of the Shire. Sort of a Hobbit Ranger cross I suppose. Prob. no spell abilities though.

Any ideas?

« Last Edit: Apr 20, 2012, 12:03am by thedegenerateelite »

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Re: How Hobbit PCs are Handled
« Reply #24 on Apr 24, 2012, 1:02pm »

Apr 9, 2012, 2:35pm, Finarvyn wrote:

I find in interesting that Gary didn't seem to anticpate folks actually playing Hobbits. M&M (p.8) says "should any player wish to be one" and thus seems to imply that basically no one wanted to be them in a campaign.

I remember one Mello the Hobbit in Dave's game, but I assume that not many were in Blackmoor, either.

Remember that Mello was a giant hobbit at 5'6"!

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