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Post by jakdethe on Feb 5, 2013 11:48:16 GMT -6
Does anyone else suffer from the dread malady of house rules-itis? And what, praytell, is the cure? I didn't want to resurrect a dead thread, but I've always wondered, not what the cure is, but how does one cope? How do you guys organize your house rules? I ended up writing a game in and of itself as was discussed, but I wonder if there is an easier method than writing an entire book when, like myself, you have so many house rules to keep up with. Particularly house rules that alter the core of the game (such as class progressions and abilities, etc...). |
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Feb 5, 2013 12:08:25 GMT -6
Really all you need to document is character generation/progression. So make a document for that, and don't worry too much about the rest that is handled by the DM. It should mostly be in your head. My rule of thumb is that if I can't store it in my head, it's probably a bad or unnecessary house rule.
Also, it's a good idea to start out with a handful of tweaks and just start playing and see what other stuff you really need. If you try to rewrite an entire game before playing, you will often find that more than half of it never even gets used. For example, why make 12 classes when you have four players? That's been my experience anyways.
Don't get me wrong. It can be a lot of fun to create rules tweaks and even whole games, but in terms of play, it can quickly become wasted effort. These days I try to keep my rules tinkering to a minimum and put more focus on the adventures. If I want to try out new mechanics and such, I can just create a new magic item or dungeon challenge that uses them.
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Post by jakdethe on Feb 5, 2013 13:54:30 GMT -6
So you're suggesting a bare bones kind of document akin to how Greyhawk and Blackmoor were set up? Just showing the differences really? (No point in restating rules I suppose).
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Post by Ynas Midgard on Feb 5, 2013 14:40:07 GMT -6
So you're suggesting a bare bones kind of document akin to how Greyhawk and Blackmoor were set up? Just showing the differences really? (No point in restating rules I suppose). That's how I'd do it, too. Actually, that's how I'm currently doing it. |
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Post by Stormcrow on Feb 5, 2013 14:53:05 GMT -6
Write in the margins.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Feb 5, 2013 15:03:41 GMT -6
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Feb 5, 2013 15:43:02 GMT -6
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Post by jakdethe on Feb 5, 2013 17:48:46 GMT -6
Excellent stuff! I'll keep all this in mind when I'm making my campaign's house rules. I like you're idea for the Men & Magic booklets.
Right now I've made a booklet based off S&W inspired by Holme's.
Also what do you guys use to play OD&D? Prints of the LBB's, S&W, etc...?
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Post by geoffrey on Feb 5, 2013 22:31:44 GMT -6
Also what do you guys use to play OD&D? Prints of the LBB's, S&W, etc...? I have the PDFs of the 1974 D&D rules. From these I have printed-out my own copies of the LBBs, at a total cost of just a few dollars. It's a joy to have rulebooks that I can treat casually, toss across the room to a player, etc. Who cares if they get bent, torn, stained, folded, written upon, barfed on (well, not that last one...)? I can always make new ones for a few dollars. |
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Post by jakdethe on Feb 6, 2013 1:07:34 GMT -6
I did the same thing (printed out my own copies of the originals). Are they easy enough to play from? (I've never attempted myself).
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Post by kesher on Feb 6, 2013 11:00:50 GMT -6
They're no problem, once you're familiar with the booklets (stuff is a bit scattered). I found it useful to print out several copies of the THACO table onto cardstock and spread them around the table.
If you can get your hands on a copy of the reference sheets, that's useful, too.
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Post by jakdethe on Feb 6, 2013 22:33:14 GMT -6
If you can get your hands on a copy of the reference sheets, that's useful, too. My holy grail if you will (that and the Monsters & Treasures collections). I've searched and searched, but alas, I can never find it. |
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Koren n'Rhys
Level 6 Magician
Got your mirrorshades?
Posts: 355
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Post by Koren n'Rhys on Feb 7, 2013 14:55:34 GMT -6
The approach I've taken is to make a Players Reference booklet that's primarily for character creation and level-up. My campaign is B/X and in addition to the core races/classes, I've added a few, and tweaked some others. Nothing extreme, just house-rule type stuff. I've laid it all out in a booklet with a page per class - brief description, class abilities and the tables with XP, HP, spells, turning, etc. included for up to 5th level. Also in there are the equipment charts and a few other odds and ends. Print out a few copies and throw them on the table while your playing and they won't need the actual rulebooks for anything. I will eventually work up a book with all the spells, but no rush on that one. Edit to add: My format is actually very much inspired by a booklet Aplus did, back when he ran his Outland campaign using B/X (it's now DCC). It was on his site back in the day - you could ask him to reshare it.  |
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Post by jakdethe on Feb 8, 2013 0:13:17 GMT -6
The approach I've taken is to make a Players Reference booklet that's primarily for character creation and level-up. My campaign is B/X and in addition to the core races/classes, I've added a few, and tweaked some others. Nothing extreme, just house-rule type stuff. I've laid it all out in a booklet with a page per class - brief description, class abilities and the tables with XP, HP, spells, turning, etc. included for up to 5th level. Also in there are the equipment charts and a few other odds and ends. Print out a few copies and throw them on the table while your playing and they won't need the actual rulebooks for anything. I will eventually work up a book with all the spells, but no rush on that one. Edit to add: My format is actually very much inspired by a booklet Aplus did, back when he ran his Outland campaign using B/X (it's now DCC). It was on his site back in the day - you could ask him to reshare it. This is pretty much exactly what I've been doing since I've started DMing. Cool to know someone else has the same thought. As for spells I made a pretty cool spell book with all the castles and crusades spells. If I can get some batteries for my camera, I'll post some pictures of it. |
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Feb 9, 2013 18:51:38 GMT -6
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Post by jakdethe on Feb 9, 2013 20:14:52 GMT -6
Awesome booklet Aplus, I love the retro-d&d look everyone seems to be doing (I've been tempted myself.). Especially the "Supplement LXXXVI" part.
Definitely adding to my collection of booklet rules!
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