Ryan Dancey comments on D&D

JongWK · October 16, 2006, 03:23:17 PM

For those who didn't know (yet), Ryan Dancey has a blog. Starting on October 9, he's posting some commentaries about D&D. First entry is called Experience Points & Player Rewards.

joewolz · October 16, 2006, 03:32:25 PM

So he wants XP to be done the way The Shadow of Yesterday does it? Cool!

Makes sense to me.

Mcrow · October 16, 2006, 03:34:26 PM

I don't know that the system needs to be reworked. I kind of like the CR & EL system and it works for me. To me it is kind of a no brainer that there are situation where some monsters are going to have an advantage, but most GMs should be able to see that and adjust the enounters accordingly.

arminius · October 16, 2006, 03:35:58 PM

More like BRP/RQ or Burning Wheel, I think. Learn by doing.

Nicephorus · October 16, 2006, 03:39:00 PM

meh

" XP would be awarded for characters successfully using class features to overcome challenges"

That been tried many times and has its pitfalls as well. Then thieves will try to pick every lock they see, fighters will attack rats to try out special moves, etc.

It still comes down to needing DM fiat that some things merit XP and others don't. I prefer putting XPs on a higher level, such as major goals, to allow more leeway in player actions. I don't want them to fight the monsters because if they don't, they miss the XPs. I want them to fight the monsters for reasons internal to the game.

kryyst · October 16, 2006, 03:46:55 PM

Screw that noise. Experience should be handed out by the GM according to how rappidly he wants players to advance.

If you want them to advance roughly 1 level ever 4 sessions then hand out experience accordingly. I remember in 2nd end where theives got xp per gold piece stollen and fighters per xp creature defeated in solo combat, mages by the spells cast or some bullshit. That concept never works.

Mcrow · October 16, 2006, 03:48:56 PM

I just seems to me that the way that XP is awarded , as written in the core books, seems to work fine. I belive it does also say that GMs can give XP for RPing and general goal achievemnts.

Caesar Slaad · October 16, 2006, 03:51:23 PM

Quote from: Nicephorus" XP would be awarded for characters successfully using class features to overcome challenges"

That been tried many times and has its pitfalls as well.

Indeed. That has "tracking nightmare" written all over it. I didn't use the "xp for class ability" thing in 2e, either, and thought it was a bad idea then.

Mind you, I don't award XP as in the core book, either.

jrients · October 16, 2006, 03:53:28 PM

The major problem with the current system is the loss of the XP for treasures recovered.

Also, I want the record to reflect that I still think Ryan Dancey is a horse's ass.

Caesar Slaad · October 16, 2006, 03:55:01 PM

Quote from: jrientsThe major problem with the current system is the loss of the XP for treasures recovered.

It's almost ironically anti-ironic that I say: treasure is its own reward.

jrients · October 16, 2006, 03:56:00 PM

Quote from: Caesar SlaadIt's almost ironically anti-ironic that I say: treasure is its own reward.

Except it's not. In the current incarnation of the game it seems to be used to buy magic items.

Nicephorus · October 16, 2006, 04:07:43 PM

Quote from: kryystScrew that noise. Experience should be handed out by the GM according to how rappidly he wants players to advance.

That's one of the things I don't like about any kind of equation for advancement. What if we're having fun a level 5 and really don't want to get beyond level 10?

I also don't like the record keeping and the fiddling.

Sosthenes · October 16, 2006, 04:10:18 PM

Quote from: jrientsExcept it's not. In the current incarnation of the game it seems to be used to buy magic items.

Which you use to fighter bigger evils and get bigger spoils. Ad nauseam...
I once created a SR character (hey, it was the only game in town) and spent all my beginning cash on permanent luxurious lifestyle. I won!

The financial mechanics of 3E are really fucked up. But it ties in with the universal resource management thingamajig. Designers should stay away from themes. The core rules are okay, but I liked the philsophy better when there was none...

Caesar Slaad · October 16, 2006, 04:12:00 PM

Quote from: jrientsExcept it's not. In the current incarnation of the game it seems to be used to buy magic items.

And?

Even if I bought into the "it's not a reward if it doesn't yield a bonus", buying magic items with it... yields a bonus.

fonkaygarry · October 16, 2006, 04:29:36 PM

Is there a breakdown of the reasoning behind 3.x's treasure system? Reading up on the RC, it's obvious there was a major change in the reasoning behind gp; I'd like to find out what it was.