Chainmail abilites into 3LB's

[Zulgyan]

Dec 11, 2008 7:29:22 GMT -6 Lord Cias said:

Zulgyan, that is an awesome consolidation of the racial characteristics. I already apply most of those in my games, but I see there are a few that have been overlooked.

Although dwarves taking only 1/2 damage from gaint class creatures is a decent translation of the Chainmail rules, I have another thought on the matter. What if all dwarves get a 50% saving throw vs. any succesful attack from a giant-class creature, otherwise damage is normal. A normal (1st level) dwarf probably won't survive even one hit from a giant at 1/2 damage since according to M&T normal dwarves get only 1d6 hit points and giants do at least 2 dice of damage (some get more). Counting 1/2 of all successful hits as misses in the long run (i.e. vs. a dwarf with several levels and being exposed to mulitple hits from such creatures per adventure) is basically the same as 1/2 damage, but it allows even 1st level dwarves the ability to survive a hit from a giant 1/2 of the time. I think this option allows one to get the best of both worlds - the reduced damage of OD&D and the "not hit as often" rule from AD&D - while remaining true to the original Chainmail rule (both in spirit and mathematically).

Thank you!! I'm glad you found them useful.

Note that the 1/2damage dwarf ability is not extracted from Chainmail but found textualy in the Monsters and Treasure Book of the original 3 under the dwarf description.

[Lord Cias]

True.

I'm just saying that OD&D imported that rule from Chainmail, but because of the differences between Chainmail and OD&D combat I think a 50% chance to avoid a successful hit is a better translation. Or, at the very least, a unique way of looking at the same special ability.

[Zulgyan]

I like your rule!
Might adopt it, but it's been long since someone in my group wanted to be a dwarf

[snorri]

It seems a nice reading, I will consider change mine in the french version - where I use a lot of chainmail, like invisibility for wizards, 8th levl fighter causing automtically foes to roll for morale and such things... I can send a complete list i needed.

[Zulgyan]

Well, why not? That would be most welcomed.

I have checked your french OD&D and in my limited understanding of french I found it quite interesting!

[dwayanu]

I don't know much French except what I "learned" from Monty Python sketches ... but the observations are definitely interesting! Keep 'em up! If I've got no comments, it's because my slow brain is still digesting the profundities.

Probably better that way.

[snorri]

Fighters

* 1d6+1 HD per level
* Abble to attack 1HD of foes per level, but only one attack per opponent and per round (Ie a 3d llv fighter can attack 3 different orcs, but not 3 times the same one)
* 4th lvl, immunse to fear [as in Chainmail]
* 8th lvl, can see invisible [as in chainmail]
* 8th lvl, opponents must check morale when seeing the fighter [as in Chainmail]

Wizard
* 1d6 hps every two levels
* Counterspell: 2d6+inteligence modifier, against 7+spell level.
* 2d lvl, Invisible in shadows [as in Chainmail, but restricetd to shadows and darkness]
* 2d lvl, infravision [as in chainmail]
* Protection from normal missiles (gives a better ac agaisnt projectiles) [in chaimail, they're immune...]
* At-will attack: use fire, ligthning or another as a regular weapon (including to hit roll, 1d6 damage) [inspired from Chainmail ability to use fireballs and lightninb bolts at will]

Clerics have regular od&d abilities, but I open the door to swicth undeads for other creatures types.