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    Canonfire :: View topic - House Rules
    Canonfire Forum Index -> Greyhawk- AD&D 1st Edition
    House Rules
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    Apprentice Greytalker

    Joined: Sep 10, 2011
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    Fri May 10, 2013 9:46 am  
    House Rules

    Howdy!

    Haven't been here for a while as real life got crazy, but getting ready to starting up a "new" 1e game with my buds.

    Anyway, we have our menu of some house rules that we play with, but just wondering about what house rules others play with.

    Post away!

    Chris
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    Chris Morris
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    Sat May 11, 2013 7:07 am  

    Chris,

    OMG Shocked if I listed all the "House Rules" I employ in my campaign, it would be a mighty lengthy document!!! I'm sure some of the 'regulars' on this site would agree, given what they've read about my games, perspectives, infinite queries, etc., already. Embarassed

    I DO have a document typed some many years ago that my main player/DM and I jointly fashioned, more to keep consistency and remind us what we agreed upon, more than planning on adding more people to our gaming circle (I play 2e mainly, and most folks these days are 3e, 4e, or Pathfinder, anyhow).

    Your topic DOES interest me, and I have LONG intended to scribe such a thread myself, but glad you beat me to the proverbial punch, so to speak, as I am curious what others do, as well.

    -Lanthorn, "Old School" Gamer

    p.s. for the record, this thread may be better served by placing it in the General Forums column, UNLESS you only want 1e input. Ask Cebrion his thoughts on that...or perhaps he can create multiple threads, one for each different edition?
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Sat May 11, 2013 7:53 am  

    Thanks for the tip, I will check with him to check on the multi-thread.

    I totally know what you mean on "solo" many, and I will toss some of the ones we use in here, mostly 1e.

    And anything is great, listing the top one or two anyone uses or whatever.

    Chris
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    Chris Morris
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    Sat May 11, 2013 7:56 am  

    And by the way, I am up to at least 3 pages typed of some house rules already Happy

    Will share the list soon.

    Chris
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    Chris Morris
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    Sat May 11, 2013 12:12 pm  

    I look forward to reading what you have, but if it's that long, be sure to bullet, or enumerate, it for easier reading! Shocked I am interested to see what overlap may ensue between readers.

    -Lanthorn
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    Sat May 11, 2013 1:41 pm  

    Absolutely!
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    Chris Morris
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    Sat May 11, 2013 3:54 pm  

    I've decided to employ saving throws versues Energy Drain. The idea of a character losing two levels to a vampire's touch; man that's way too rough without a saving throw.
    Journeyman Greytalker

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    Sat May 11, 2013 4:43 pm  

    DeanP wrote:
    I've decided to employ saving throws versues Energy Drain. The idea of a character losing two levels to a vampire's touch; man that's way too rough without a saving throw.


    I did that too, after reading some magic item description that gave a bonus to a save vs energy drain. It stood to reason that if some magic item(s) gave a BONUS, there had to be a saving throw to give the bonus to.
    However, to not depower the undead too much, I changed it so the level is drained, and on the day after fighting the undead, the saving throw is made to gain the level back. This is repeated each day as needed, until either a saving throw is failed, at which point no more levels can be regained, or when the character is back to "original" level.
    GreySage

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    Sat May 11, 2013 5:05 pm  

    DeanP wrote:
    I've decided to employ saving throws versues Energy Drain. The idea of a character losing two levels to a vampire's touch; man that's way too rough without a saving throw.


    Ditto. Though if failed, you are screwed and you must regain them through experience.

    This is but one of many changes I've made...

    -Lanthorn
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    Sat May 11, 2013 6:23 pm  

    Quote:
    However, to not depower the undead too much, I changed it so the level is drained, and on the day after fighting the undead, the saving throw is made to gain the level back. This is repeated each day as needed, until either a saving throw is failed, at which point no more levels can be regained, or when the character is back to "original" level.


    I like that modification.
    GreySage

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    Sun May 12, 2013 4:09 pm  

    I've also turned all my spell-casters (priests and mages alike) basically into Channelers by creating a Mana Pool system from which they draw their magical (arcane or divine) magic use.

    I explain this system in more detail (and my rationale) in the following thread, on page 2:
    http://www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5559

    -Lanthorn
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    Sun May 12, 2013 5:11 pm  

    Cool change on the save -vs- Energy Drain, can I ask what category you lump that with in 1e? I am going to add that one change in.

    Lanthorn, gonna check that out right now, but that change for spell casters is exactly one of the things I am working on in regards to some house rules, look forward to reading it. Than maybe I can get to finalizing up my list of 1e house rules. Confused
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    Chris Morris
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    Sun May 12, 2013 5:13 pm  

    cawdmorris wrote:
    Cool change on the save -vs- Energy Drain, can I ask what category you lump that with in 1e? I am going to add that one change in.


    vs Death Magic, in my game, given its deadly effect.

    Quote:
    Lanthorn, gonna check that out right now, but that change for spell casters is exactly one of the things I am working on in regards to some house rules, look forward to reading it. Than maybe I can get to finalizing up my list of 1e house rules. Confused


    Happy reading. Hope it works for you.

    -Lanthorn
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    Sun May 12, 2013 6:30 pm  

    Lanthorn wrote:
    I've also turned all my spell-casters (priests and mages alike) basically into Channelers by creating a Mana Pool system from which they draw their magical (arcane or divine) magic use.

    I explain this system in more detail (and my rationale) in the following thread, on page 2:
    http://www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5559

    -Lanthorn


    Love it! Gonna give it a try.
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    Chris Morris
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    Sun May 12, 2013 8:53 pm  

    Happy

    Glad you approve. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

    much obliged,

    Lanthorn
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    Mon May 13, 2013 2:19 pm  

    I'm with Lanthorn, save vs. Death Magic.

    I have to check out your Mana system.
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Mon May 13, 2013 4:07 pm  

    I found a great article on Dragonsfoot.org that is a 54 page PDF file entitled "House Rules & Clarifications for First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons". It was written by Ken Marin and is a free PDF you can download.

    There are some great rules and insights in this article. Check it out, then pick and choose what works for your game. If you have trouble finding it, PM me and I'll send it to your e-mail.


    Dane
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    Mon May 13, 2013 4:13 pm  

    Oh nice, gonna check it out now, ty so much.
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    Chris Morris
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    Mon May 13, 2013 7:42 pm  

    I guess its been updated since I last downloaded it. Its up to a 63 page document now.

    Dane
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    Fri May 17, 2013 5:22 pm  

    To add onto this thread,

    I allow any race to multi or dual-class, permitted of course they can choose that class of interest (dwarves cannot be mage-priests, for instance).

    I don't divide the XP right down the middle between classes (or thirds, if triple classed) but rather allocate XP based on which class (or classes) was/were used to 'defeat' the enemy. For instance, casting priest or mage spells give XP only to those respective classes. Thiefly skill use garners XP only to the thief class. And so on and so forth.

    -Lanthorn
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    Sun May 19, 2013 7:45 am  

    OK, you asked for it. More Lanthorn 'House Rules"

    - I no longer roll for damage! (gasp!) Instead, I let the die roll determine the damage. How, you may ask. The hit roll or saving throw determines it. Basically, in short, if you need a 12 to hit your foe, and you roll it, you do minimum damage. If you roll a 19, on the other hand, you do maximum damage. I still use crit hits.
    To find how much damage is done within the continuum, use algebra (a ratio) between the maximum damage and minimum damage.
    This is indeed a slower method and likely won't work for large groups, but I wanted to 'reward' higher die rolls 'to hit'. By the same token, a '19' save grants the recipient minimum damage from damaging spells while a '1' imposes maximum damage (and a crit hit).

    Yeah, I am a meticulous number-cruncher. Wink

    -Lanthorn
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    Sun May 19, 2013 5:31 pm  

    Lanthorn wrote:
    OK, you asked for it. More Lanthorn 'House Rules"

    - I no longer roll for damage! (gasp!) Instead, I let the die roll determine the damage. How, you may ask. The hit roll or saving throw determines it. Basically, in short, if you need a 12 to hit your foe, and you roll it, you do minimum damage. If you roll a 19, on the other hand, you do maximum damage. I still use crit hits.
    To find how much damage is done within the continuum, use algebra (a ratio) between the maximum damage and minimum damage.
    This is indeed a slower method and likely won't work for large groups, but I wanted to 'reward' higher die rolls 'to hit'. By the same token, a '19' save grants the recipient minimum damage from damaging spells while a '1' imposes maximum damage (and a crit hit).

    Yeah, I am a meticulous number-cruncher. Wink

    -Lanthorn


    Lol, wow, yeah you are sir. But I love it, maybe not to use, but the fact of the thought that goes into getting something right for you.

    Still working on my list gonna throw some stuff up soon I hope, as soon as work gives me the time.

    Found the two 1e "House Rules" that are on Dragonsfoot, yeah both are huge, but again, cool to see what people come up with.
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    Chris Morris
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    Sun May 19, 2013 5:34 pm  

    Two main things I am working on right now are making a Bard a class of it's own for 1e and tweaking the Monk some at lower levels.

    Got the non-weapon proficiencies done, with a lot of help from 2e.

    Also had a blast revising the old "Good Hits, Bad Misses" table.
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    Chris Morris
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    Sun May 19, 2013 6:03 pm  

    cawdmorris wrote:
    Two main things I am working on right now are making a Bard a class of it's own for 1e and tweaking the Monk some at lower levels.


    What do you have in mind for them?

    You do know that the 2e bard is much more streamlined, and for the better in my opinion, than the 1e version.

    Quote:
    Also had a blast revising the old "Good Hits, Bad Misses" table.


    Yeah, I have that Xeroxed for use, but use the crit tables from Combat & Tactics book.

    Awaiting more from you when you have time and plan to offer more of my own 'house rules,'

    -Lanthorn
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    Sun May 19, 2013 6:19 pm  

    cawdmorris wrote:
    Two main things I am working on right now are making a Bard a class of it's own for 1e and tweaking the Monk some at lower levels.


    #56 (December 1981) of Dragon Magazine had an article called, Singing a New Tune. That streamlined the Bard and was for AD&D. The Best of the Dragon, Vol. III included that article and another called, He's Got a Lot to Kick About, which improved the Monk for AD&D. I grew up using those two re-writes for the Bard and Monk class as they were vast improvements on the originals from the Player's Handbook.

    SirXaris
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    Sun May 19, 2013 7:57 pm  

    SirXaris wrote:
    cawdmorris wrote:
    Two main things I am working on right now are making a Bard a class of it's own for 1e and tweaking the Monk some at lower levels.


    #56 (December 1981) of Dragon Magazine had an article called, Singing a New Tune. That streamlined the Bard and was for AD&D. The Best of the Dragon, Vol. III included that article and another called, He's Got a Lot to Kick About, which improved the Monk for AD&D. I grew up using those two re-writes for the Bard and Monk class as they were vast improvements on the originals from the Player's Handbook.

    SirXaris


    Sweet, think a buddy of mine has that BoD issue. Thanks!
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    Chris Morris
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    Sun May 26, 2013 7:11 am  

    Another "House Rule"

    I modified my paladins so not all are identical:

    Firstly, I altered their Turning ability based on what the priests are capable of doing. For instance, a priest of Heironeous Turns undead at a 2 lvl penalty, meaning a 3rd lvl priest of the Archpaladin Turns at 1st lvl ability. Thusly, since paladins Turn as clerics -2 lvls, a paladin of Heironeous suffers a 4 lvl penalty. So only at 5th lvl can a paladin of Heironeous Turn undead, and that only at 1st lvl.

    Here is the breakdown for other paladins in my game:

    St Cuthbert: -6 lvls
    Pholtus: standard -2 lvls
    Pelor: -1 lvl
    Rao: -6 lvls

    Since I use Skills & Powers I charge less for those paladins with a reduced ability to Turn Undead than those who have 'standard' ability (Pholtites) but charge slightly more for the paladins of Pelor (increased Turning ability).

    Additionally, I have altered the Spheres for those paladins who are of high enough level to cast spells based on the Power they worship. It made sense to me that paladins of different Powers should/would have different spell-casting abilities and they would not be 'cookie cutter' in nature, just as priests/clerics in 2e do not have the same spell selection.

    The standard Spheres of paladins are Combat, Divination, Healing, and Protection. I altered that to the following, based on the paladin's patron Power:

    Heironeous: Combat, Healing, Protection, War
    Pelor: Guardian, Healing, Protection, Sun
    Pholtus: standard Spheres
    Rao: Charm, Divination, Healing, Thought
    St Cuthbert: standard Spheres

    -Lanthorn
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    Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:25 pm  

    Well, I finally finished (never really finished) up my House Rules and got to 8 pages worth. Think I will post a few shorter ones now and then to have you all comment and post any ideas.

    Thanks for all of the comments so far.
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    Chris Morris
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    Tue Jun 04, 2013 2:13 pm  

    OK, here is the first part that covers abilities and races.


    Determining Abilities-

    Each character gets a pool of 81 + d3 points to distribute to the six abilities. No more than 2 ability scores of 18 (before modifiers) per character.

    Comeliness is being used, but characters do not roll for this ability, instead any number from 3-18 can be picked by the player. In addition, this ability does not have any reaction bonus derived from it. It is simply a determination of the characters looks.

    Every four levels (i.e. 5th level, 9th level, 13th level, and so on) each character can increase any ability they choose by one.

    All races minimum/maximum ability scores are 3/18 before modifiers.

    Ability Bonus Changes:
    Strength- +1 to hit and +1 damage extend down to 13 Str
    Wisdom- +1 Magical Attack Adj. extends down to 13 Wis
    Dexterity- -1 Defensive Adj. extends down to 13 Dex., Reaction/Attacking Adj. extends down to 14 Dex
    Constitution- +1 Hit Point Adj. extends down to 13 Con


    Classes & Races-

    There are no maximum class level limitations for any race.

    All races can multi-class.

    All classes from 1e PH and UA are open to PC’s except the Cavalier.

    Allowed Races for PC’s:

    All races are open to all Player Characters that are in PH and UA except, Drow Elves, Wild Elves, Grey Dwarves and Deep Gnomes.

    There are changes to the allowed classes for each race, they are-
    Human: All classes
    Dwarf: Paladin, Cleric, Fighter, Barbarian, Ranger, Thief, Thief-Acrobat, Assassin and Bard
    Elf: All classes except Monk
    Half-Elf: All classes
    Gnome: Cleric, Fighter, Ranger, Magic-User, Illusionist, Thief, Thief-Acrobat, and Assassin, Bard
    Halfling: Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Ranger, Magic-User, Thief, Thief-Acrobat, and Assassin, Bard
    Half-Orc: Paladin, Cleric, Fighter, Barbarian, Ranger, Magic-User, Thief, Thief-Acrobat, and Assassin
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    Chris Morris
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    Tue Jun 04, 2013 2:20 pm  

    And here are the House rules on classes.


    Classes-

    Rangers get both Hide in Shadows and Move Silently as if the Ranger is a Thief of half the level (rounded down), but also using the applicable ability, racial and armor modifiers as thieves do.

    Monks now fight as Cleric using that class’ combat tables (no longer fight as thieves). They use the Saving Throw tables of Thief class’. Also, Monks get to use all combat ability modifiers (i.e. to hit and damage bonus from Str, AC adjustment from DEX, ect.).

    Fighters HD per level is now d10+1.

    Assassins do not have to be an Evil alignment, however thought must go into a “code” for non-Evil assassins. Only “Evil” aligned Assassins can use poison. Also, the killing blow ability is changed. The Assassin only makes a roll on the Assassination Table if the victim is surprised and the targeted victim is at least two levels or HD lower than the level of the Assassin making the attempt. Last, since alignment languages are not being used the Assassin can pick any language they want per rules on pg. 29 of PH.

    Magic-Users and Illusionists get bonus spells as clerics do, but using Int. as the modifier instead of Wisdom, but still using the Wis. Table for the bonus spells per level (PH, pg. 11).

    All spell caster classes figure the total number of spells per day as rules dictate. However, instead of having to choose specific spells to fill those “memorized slots” the character simply keeps track of the total spells per level per day and then can cast from any of the spells that are at their disposal for the appropriate level. Once a spell is cast subtract that spell used from the appropriate level total that remains to be cast for that day. So if a 1st level Cleric can cast 3, 1st level spells per day and she casts a Cure Light Wound, she can cast two more 1st level spells that day of her choosing.

    Spells are regained per normal rest rules.

    The DM will pick the starting spells, min./max. determined by Int. score, for Magic-Users and Illusionists. Players can pick one additional random spell to be in their spell book.

    Bard

    Bards are now a separate class that can be started at first level. They get d8 per level for Hit Point determination. They use the Cleric class table for combat. They use the Thief table for Saving Throws. They get all Thieving Abilities of as Thief but at half the level (using all applicable ability, racial and armor adjustments). They can wear up to Chain Mail armor, but cannot use a shield. They get all of the regular Bard abilities, use Druidic spells and have the same ability requirements per page 117 of PH.

    Weapons Permitted: Club, Dagger, Knife, Dart, Javelin, Sling, Spear, Scimitar, Spear, Staff, Light & Hand Crossbow and all Swords (except Two-Handed).

    Bard XP, Spell, Title & Abilities Tables-

    Number of Spells/Lvl. Legend Lore &
    Level XP Level Lvl. Title 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Charm % Item Knowledge %
    1 2000 Rhymer 1 - - - - - - 15 0
    2 4000 Lyrist 2 - - - - - - 20 5
    3 8000 Sonneteer 3 - - - - - - 22 7
    4 16000 Skald 3 1 - - - - - 24 10
    5 25000 Racaraide 3 2 - - - - - 30 13
    6 40000 Jongleur 3 3 - - - - - 32 16
    7 60000 Troubadour 3 3 1 - - - - 34 20
    8 85000 Minstrel 3 3 2 - - - - 40 25
    9 110000 Muse 3 3 3 - - - - 42 30
    10 150000 Lorist 3 3 3 1 - - - 44 35
    11 200000 Bard 3 3 3 2 - - - 50 40
    12 400000 Master Bard 3 3 3 3 - - - 53 45
    13 600000 Master Bard 3 3 3 3 1 - - 56 50
    14 800000 Master Bard 3 3 3 3 2 - - 60 55
    15 1000000 Master Bard 3 3 3 3 3 - - 63 60
    16 1200000 Master Bard 3 3 3 3 3 1 - 66 65
    17 1400000 Master Bard 3 3 3 3 3 2 - 70 70
    18 1600000 Master Bard 3 3 3 3 3 3 - 73 75
    19 1800000 Master Bard 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 76 80
    20 2000000 Grandmaster 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 80 85
    *After level 20 Bards gain 2 Hit Points per level.


    All classes get HD rolls to 20th level; then after level 20 the HP per level begins (per character tables in PH). The two exceptions are Druids and Monks.

    All characters have maximum Hit Points at first level.

    Minimum Hit Points per Level: M-U’s and Illusionists can re-roll a roll of 1; Thief-types, Cleric-types, Bards and Monks can re-roll a hit point roll of 1 or 2; Fighter-types can re-roll a roll of 1, 2 or 3.

    Psionics are being used.

    Characters can pick or roll their starting age using the table on pg. 12 of DMG for the roll or as a guidepost if picking their age. No age ability modifiers will be used for starting characters and will go into effect only if the character ages during the course of play.

    Characters can pick or roll for their height and weight using the table on pg. 238 of the DMG for the roll or as a guidepost if picking their height and weight.

    Characters can pick or roll for their Social Class & Rank and Circumstances of Birth using the tables on pg. 82 and 83 of UA for each. If rolling consult those tables if picking use the tables as a guidepost.
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    Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:15 pm  

    No offense intended, here, fellas, but I must say that the more house rules you post, the more it seems you're trying to turn your older edition of D&D into a home version of 3.5e. 90% of the changes you guys post, in this thread and others, have been made official rules in 3.5e. Razz

    SirXaris
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    Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:44 pm  

    SirXaris wrote:
    No offense intended, here, fellas, but I must say that the more house rules you post, the more it seems you're trying to turn your older edition of D&D into a home version of 3.5e. 90% of the changes you guys post, in this thread and others, have been made official rules in 3.5e. Razz

    SirXaris


    What?! They made an edition after first? Wink
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    Tue Jun 04, 2013 8:23 pm  

    cawdmorris wrote:
    SirXaris wrote:
    No offense intended, here, fellas, but I must say that the more house rules you post, the more it seems you're trying to turn your older edition of D&D into a home version of 3.5e. 90% of the changes you guys post, in this thread and others, have been made official rules in 3.5e. Razz

    SirXaris


    What?! They made an edition after first? Wink


    Laughing
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    Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:20 am  

    SirXaris wrote:
    No offense intended, here, fellas, but I must say that the more house rules you post, the more it seems you're trying to turn your older edition of D&D into a home version of 3.5e. 90% of the changes you guys post, in this thread and others, have been made official rules in 3.5e. Razz

    SirXaris


    Seeking converts, are we? Wink

    -Lanthorn
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    Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:58 am  

    Lanthorn wrote:
    SirXaris wrote:
    No offense intended, here, fellas, but I must say that the more house rules you post, the more it seems you're trying to turn your older edition of D&D into a home version of 3.5e. 90% of the changes you guys post, in this thread and others, have been made official rules in 3.5e. Razz

    SirXaris


    Seeking converts, are we? Wink

    -Lanthorn


    Sorry, if I sounded like I was being critical. Really, I didn't mean to be.

    Instead, I'll phrase my previous statement as a question: If the changes you are making as personal 'House Rules' are so similar to the official changes to the rules made in later editions, why not just use the newer rules?

    I do understand some potential issues - lack of desire to invest in an entire new set of rule books, dislike for some of the changes in the newer editions. Are there other reasons?

    SirXaris
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    Sun Jun 09, 2013 8:07 am  

    SirXaris wrote:
    Lanthorn wrote:
    SirXaris wrote:
    No offense intended, here, fellas, but I must say that the more house rules you post, the more it seems you're trying to turn your older edition of D&D into a home version of 3.5e. 90% of the changes you guys post, in this thread and others, have been made official rules in 3.5e. Razz

    SirXaris


    Seeking converts, are we? Wink

    -Lanthorn


    Sorry, if I sounded like I was being critical. Really, I didn't mean to be.

    Instead, I'll phrase my previous statement as a question: If the changes you are making as personal 'House Rules' are so similar to the official changes to the rules made in later editions, why not just use the newer rules?

    I do understand some potential issues - lack of desire to invest in an entire new set of rule books, dislike for some of the changes in the newer editions. Are there other reasons?

    SirXaris


    No offense taken, I totally got what you meant and yes it all falls on your later point as an overall dislike of the majority of changes made in later editions, and maybe even more the feel of the game with said later changes. I guess comfort level is where most of this comes from plus the fact that I love to play around with rules.
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    Chris Morris
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    Sun Jun 09, 2013 4:08 pm  

    SX, no offense taken on this end, either. People can disagree and still be civil, which you are.

    yours,

    Lanthorn
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    Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:18 pm  

    While I run 2nd edition (when I get to be DM), it is easy enough to use in 1st.

    First, I corrected the Wisdom bonus spells at 19. Rather than a 1st and a 4th level bonus, I made it 1st and 3rd. I never liked how priests with that crazy high Wis would end up with more bonus 4th level spells than 3rd; this fixes that. Continuing that, at 23 Wis, instead of two 5th level spells, I made it a 1st and a 5th level. Granted, no PC is going to have a Wis that high, but I wanted to keep it consistent.

    Originally, another change I made was simply moving the Cure Serious Wounds spell from 4th level to 3rd. It never seemed right to me that priests got Cure Light Wounds as a 1st level spell, then nothing else for healing until 4th level spells. Now at least there was a healing spell at 1st level, 3rd level, and 5th level.

    Eventually I read a writeup for a 2nd level Cure Moderate Wounds spell. This got me to thinking of having a healing spell for every clerical spell level, and I wanted them increasing in a regular pattern, so I Added a new 4th level healig spell to replace the one I dropped to 3rd level, and "smoothed out" the progression in damage healed.

    Here is what I came up with:
    Cure Light Wounds (1st): 2d4 + Level healed
    Cure Moderate Wounds (2nd): 2d6 + Level healed
    Cure Serious Wounds (3rd): 2d8 + (2 x Level) healed
    Cure Extreme Wounds (4th): 2d10 + (2 x Level) healed
    Cure Critical Wounds (5th): 2d12 + (3 x Level) healed

    And of course, the 6th level Heal spell after that.
    Level, of course, is the level of the priest casting the spell; I only say it now to ensure clarity. And before anyone "calls me out" on it, yes, I think I dd appropriate adding the priest's level to the damage healed from 3rd edition.
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    Sun Jun 09, 2013 8:09 pm  

    BlueWitch wrote:
    While I run 2nd edition (when I get to be DM), it is easy enough to use in 1st.

    First, I corrected the Wisdom bonus spells at 19. Rather than a 1st and a 4th level bonus, I made it 1st and 3rd. I never liked how priests with that crazy high Wis would end up with more bonus 4th level spells than 3rd; this fixes that. Continuing that, at 23 Wis, instead of two 5th level spells, I made it a 1st and a 5th level. Granted, no PC is going to have a Wis that high, but I wanted to keep it consistent.

    Originally, another change I made was simply moving the Cure Serious Wounds spell from 4th level to 3rd. It never seemed right to me that priests got Cure Light Wounds as a 1st level spell, then nothing else for healing until 4th level spells. Now at least there was a healing spell at 1st level, 3rd level, and 5th level.

    Eventually I read a writeup for a 2nd level Cure Moderate Wounds spell. This got me to thinking of having a healing spell for every clerical spell level, and I wanted them increasing in a regular pattern, so I Added a new 4th level healig spell to replace the one I dropped to 3rd level, and "smoothed out" the progression in damage healed.

    Here is what I came up with:
    Cure Light Wounds (1st): 2d4 + Level healed
    Cure Moderate Wounds (2nd): 2d6 + Level healed
    Cure Serious Wounds (3rd): 2d8 + (2 x Level) healed
    Cure Extreme Wounds (4th): 2d10 + (2 x Level) healed
    Cure Critical Wounds (5th): 2d12 + (3 x Level) healed

    And of course, the 6th level Heal spell after that.
    Level, of course, is the level of the priest casting the spell; I only say it now to ensure clarity. And before anyone "calls me out" on it, yes, I think I dd appropriate adding the priest's level to the damage healed from 3rd edition.


    Interesting thought on the healing spells, thanks, I will talk to my group about it. Thanks!
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    Chris Morris
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    Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:39 pm  

    If you have Spells & Magic, there is a "healing" spell called Repair Injury that is 3rd level. Therefore, with a 'complete' collection of books (Player's Handbook, Tome of Magic, and Spells & Magic) you will have a "healing" spell for all levels 1-5.

    I've shifted other spells around, too, as well as added Spheres to those I thought were appropriate.

    -Lanthorn
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    Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:27 pm  

    Repair Injury (Player's Option; Spells and Magic, page 169, 2nd Edition) is rather limited in scope, the way its written. Its 1d10+1 restored hit points are rather "specific." Confused

    Adjustments would have to be made in order for it to serve as a "true" Healing spell. Not that such an adjustment would pose any difficulty upon the DM, but be careful of Rules Lawyers. Wink Cool
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    Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:38 am  

    My main player/ fellow DM and I have restructured all the healing spells with respect to the amount of damage restored to d8 points per spell level. Thusly, a 1st lvl Cure Light Wounds spell restores d8, the 2nd lvl Cure Moderate Wounds heals 2d8 pts, and so on. We allow Repair Injury to either heal 3d8 pts, or be used to do what the spell originally lists (and consequently, only d10+1 pts are mended as a side effect, too).

    The reason why we did this was b/c we didn't like how healing spells seemed haphazard, without a 'logical' progression, on the amount restored. Just our own 'house rule' amendment. We also made Regenerate a 5th lvl Healing spell and kicked Raise Dead up to a 6th lvl Necromantic spell.

    -Lanthorn
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    Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:12 am  

    I appreciate the sentiment. I'm much the same way with Resurrection and Raise Dead. What do "you" mean "level?"

    I don't care if "you're" 59th level, "you" are not going to bring anyone back from the dead. It is "your" God that brings someone back from the dead.

    And "Pelor" can use anyone as a conduit that He wishes, irregardless of "their" level.

    See? Told you I was "different." Wink Laughing
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    Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:16 pm  

    One house rule the 1st ed. game I played in for about 7 years was that there were still level caps on races/classes, but the DMs made it a soft cap. Rather than limit the level you can continue to exceed the capped levels but you only gained half the experience in them

    So I had an Elven Fighter/Magic-User and while the MU was unlimited the fighter "capped" at 7th level, so after that I gained half as much xp in that class.

    So if I were to get say 1000 exp, my MU class would receive 500 and my Fighter class would receive 250.

    It actually didn't slow my progression as drastically as I thought, as by campaign end I was 12 fighter/14 MU. I think the rule worked out ok.

    There were many other house rules and I'll post them if they come to mind.

    Oh yeah and ALL rolls by players were to be made via the dice roller constructed by the DM that sat in front of his screen. It was an interesting contraption and worked fine until I had to roll 42d6 and 7d4 in one turn :P (3 fireballs and a magic missile at 14th lvl caster, that's a long story and yes it was broken but that was the DMs fault lol ) I basically clogged the dice machine haha
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    Tue Jul 16, 2013 5:04 am  
    Healing rules

    Looks like I wasn't the only one to do this! Here's the list I've been using:

    Cure Spells:
    1st level: Cure Light Wounds (PHB): 1d8
    2nd level: Cure Moderate Wounds (GNPB): 2d8+1
    3rd level: Cure Medium Wounds (GNPB): 3d8+2
    4th level: Cure Serious Wounds (PHB): 4d8+3
    5th level: Cure Critical Wounds (PHB): 5d8+4

    For all cure spells, the minimum amount cured will be the caster's level.

    I also tweaked the levels to make it a more geometric progression. I do like the idea of adding the cleric's level. That would be easy to do, and then I could just drop the pluses as well as the minimum. Of course, evil priests who use Cause Light Wounds will do damage the same way too....
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