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Post by Finarvyn on Jul 30, 2024 5:15:51 GMT -6
As for complicated mechanics, I think the attack charts are too wonky. Why weren’t they all just a simple progression, based on PC class and level? Doesn't that have to do with what is deemed copyrightable? From what I have been told, if data can be reduced to a formula or equation, it cannot be copyrighted. Thus the wonkiness may have been a device to retain IP rights over the data. *shrug* I suspect that it's a lot less complex that you suggest. Most of the early designers of OD&D played wargames and miniatures games. Wargames of that era (Avalon Hill and SPI) typically came with a CRT (Combat Resolution Table) which had odds on one axis, dice roll on the other axis, and you cross-referenced the CRT to get the result of the battle. I.e., a chart like was found in OD&D. My guess is that there was no thought of trying to protect IP, but instead that the chart was a familiar and simple way to present the combat system. Also remember that technically OD&D needed several charts or equations, as fighting men progressed in 3-level clumps, clerics were 4-level, and magic-users 5-level groupings. AD&D actually made individual charts for each class, and it wasn't until THAC0 that folks tried to put all of those charts into an equation. 3E was really the breakthrough, IMO, as they also flipped AC so that high numbers equated to high protection.
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Parzival
Level 6 Magician
Is a little Stir Crazy this year...
Posts: 381
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Post by Parzival on Jul 30, 2024 8:10:21 GMT -6
2.) Non-damage cantrips, with unlimited casting (no “fire and forget” on these). Each can only be used once per encounter or turn, but other than that you can keep casting ‘em. What kind of cantrips are those? Could you give some examples? I go back to the ideas from UA— cantrips which function either as simple utility spells like Clean/Dirty, Polish/Tarnish, Flamefinger (produces a small flame from the caster’s fingertips, roughly that of a match), Bluelight (produces a ball of faint blue light, no brighter than a candle), etc..— they do one minor thing for a very brief period (say a round or two) and then stop. Some are simple illusions— the color of an object changes, a person’s face is covered in spots— some are “school boy” pranks— the victim belches or breaks wind or suddenly has a squeaky, high-pitched voice, or feels a “sting” as if by a bee (does no damage, but gives a -1 penalty to the victim’s next action if a save is failed). The idea is to create little bits of magic that can have lots of potential usage, but don’t take the place of full combat spells or big utility spells. 5e takes a looser approach with a lot more potential power (including some “zap” like combat cantrips). I found the zap spells to be boring in play— might as well just allow the use of a bow— and the illusion spells to be too powerful and broadly interpreted. I prefer tight spell descriptions with understandable limits. So my version is sort of a melding of the UA and 5e approach— specific spell limitations, but open usage— no slots, no prep, just cast.
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Parzival
Level 6 Magician
Is a little Stir Crazy this year...
Posts: 381
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Post by Parzival on Jul 30, 2024 8:16:00 GMT -6
As for complicated mechanics, I think the attack charts are too wonky. Why weren’t they all just a simple progression, based on PC class and level? Doesn't that have to do with what is deemed copyrightable? From what I have been told, if data can be reduced to a formula or equation, it cannot be copyrighted. Thus the wonkiness may have been a device to retain IP rights over the data. *shrug* US federal courts have ruled that charts are not copyrightable— in fact, no game mechanics are, not even lists or “data.” The only copyrightable elements of a game are the artistic expression of the actual written rules and any artistic presentation (maps, boards, cards, uniquely specialized dice faces, and so forth). So if there was an attempt to force chart usage for IP reasons, it was misguided, legally purposeless, and a waste of effort.
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Parzival
Level 6 Magician
Is a little Stir Crazy this year...
Posts: 381
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Post by Parzival on Jul 30, 2024 8:20:28 GMT -6
Once you do that, THAC0 becomes super easy, and indeed the charts aren’t needed at all. THAC0 replaces the charts, but so does ascending AC and BAB and all of the 5E methods. Easy peasey. True… but for some reason, I’ve never been a fan. I never found the descending AC to be difficult to grasp anyway. Sort of a case of “this really isn’t what needs to be tweaked,” when it comes to stream-lining combat.
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