DogBone's page

However, there is a change that I'm using that works fairly well that uses BAB to determine starting weapon groups. Those with a poor BAB begin play with a single weapon group and basic weapons. If you have an average BAB, you start with basic weapons and two other weapon groups. Those with a good BAB, except fighters gain three weapon groups and basic weapons. Finally, fighters gain basic weapons and four weapon groups plus one more at every even fighter level. If you multiclass, you gain additional weapon groups only if the new class has additional weapon proficiencies.

Basic weapons are defined as club, dart, dagger, quarterstaff, and sling.

Under this system, dwarves gain axe and hammer proficiency and elves gain bow proficiency plus single proficiency in the longsword and rapier. All races that treat [insert race here] weapons as martial weapons simply add those weapons to the standard group.

So, what do y'all think?

Not bad. I'm not sure they'll change the current simple/martial/exotic set-up though; there is nothing wrong with the way things are, and they want to maintain compatability, although your system does seem to add a little more variation between classes. Either system would be fine by me, which I hope you take as a compliment. I do have some critique's with Pathfinder's weapon system, though.

1. I personally believe the morningstar should be apart of the hammer group, not the flail group. Basically, the morningstar is a sharp-spiked ball on a stick, just like a mace (whose spikes are dull, not sharp). It is swung like a mace or club, not twirled around like a flail or spiked chain. Thus, morningstars have more in common with hammers than flails. If it makes people feel better, maybe you could rename the flail group the chain group, keeping in mind what really connects these weapons together.

2. For simplicity's sake, and comvenience, please add the newer PF weapons to the weapon group lists (i.e. war razor, starknife, etc.). It'll just make things easier.

3. Please, oh, please show some love to the lowly little gnome. The gnome is the only PC race that has weapon familiarity but doesn't have any bonus proficiencies. I know gnomes have been demonized recently (4E doesn't have them as a PC race), but they can be fun to play. How about skill with short swords and crossbows, keeping in line with their mechanical aptitude. And while we're at it, give halflings another bonus weapon, like dagger, and replace the dwarves' skill with the heavy pick with the throwing axe; it just makes more sense.

4. The human bonus weapon proficiency should be kept as any weapon, not any martial weapon. Any human whose class grants proficiency with all martial weapons (which is more than a third of all the available classes) makes this bonus ability completely worthless. If humans are really the "flexible" race, don't be shy and let them actually be flexible.

There. Those are some of my ideas and opinions. Feel free to disect them at your liesure, as we all do.

DogBone

The milk is neither spilled nor spooled. At the very least under this system characters who increase their intelligence will get plenty of additional skill points for expanding their base. Seriously, am I the only one commenting who thinks that a Feat is a good way to increase a character's number of available skill points? Toughness is there for HP, why not one of Skill Points/Ranks?

On a different note I'm now fairly sure that the "Banking" from the prior Design Focus needs to be added to these rules. Tuck it way in the DM section on creating NPCs for all I care, but it will need to be there. In order to justify some of the "it doesn't matter the order" NPC building.

I have always thought the "Open Minded" feat was a great idea. The only problem was getting the DMs to allow it (neither of the DMs I played with liked or allowed Psionics in their game, so...). However, there is a part of me that rankles with the thought of spending a valuable feat just to get extra skill points, but I suppose that'd be just another trade-off you'd have to take in stride.

The idea of "banking" skill points sounds good. But I'd think that's best left up to the individual DM.

By the way, I don't think you can "spool" milk. I may be wrong, so you're free to try. Let me know if it works (hahaha).

DogBone

If every one in your group is playing at with mastered levels of their skills, then your DM will have been setting DC's appropreate to that, which is why it will not have worked well, try getting your entire group to spread their skills a little thinner, while asking you DM to take this into account by putting in more skill checks at lower DC's.

Maybe. I don't want to disparage someone's DM skills, but it's a known fact that, in his game, Spot skills are a MUST. You use that skill 5 times more than any other.

My biggest complaint is, the way my game experience went, the only time you could get a new skill was when you raised your INT. That's it. With the Rankless system, even classes with low skill points would still have a chance to have an expansive skill base. But, no sense crying over spilled milk...

DogBone

All the adventure paths were excellent, and only got better as they went on.

Personally, I really liked "The Styes" and it's sequel, though it's title has slipped from memory. The setting was superb.

And, of coarse, the best stand-alone adventure ever published in Dungeon:
"Tears for Twilight Hollow".

Hands down, best ever.

DogBone

One of my own biggest concerns about the release 1 system is the lack of flexibility. You were either completely untrained, or a master for your level. This was lacking.

So, while I invite discussion. The skill system is pretty firm in my eyes and I do not foresee a drastic redesign in the near future.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing

I am sorry to hear that. I understand the need for backwards compatability, but the rankless system seemed to work. To me at least.

And I don't mean to sound mean-spirited to say, but what D&D games have you played? In my games, EVERYONE is either completely untrained or a master at their level. There is no in-between. Take it from me, I tried to have "in-between" skills, and it was a disaster. I could never reliably use those skills as they were; they might as well have been left untrained. The points would have been better spent keeping my primary skill set maxed out. And once your prime skills fall behind, it's very hard to catch them back up.

Oh well...I appreciate you at least listening to player feedback. Paizo seems to be the best at it. Keep up the excellent work.

DogBone

I really like the new skill system. I didn't dislike the rankless system, but it had some major problems like the roguedipping. In the new system, it doesn't matter which class I take at first level when I plan to multiclass (something I always hated). It also makes creating NPCs and monsters a lot easier than the 3.5 system. It may not be as simple as the pathfinder 1.0 system, but it allows a much greater customization.

I hate to say it, but "roguedipping" happens all the time. The very fact it already has a name is suggestive that it's been a problem with 3.5. There are those players that min/max the system; always have been, always will be.

For my part, I much preferred the rankless system (or as I called it, the "Maxed Out" system) because it can serve to balance characters out.

Example: a friend played a Half-Orc fighter with an INT 8. That means that he got 1, yes 1 skill point, or rank, per level. Now, if he ever wanted to be good at anything, it could only be in one skill. He could spread around his skill point, but he'd never be that good at anything. With the rankless system, his skill base could, and would, increase, allowing even a lowly, slow-witted fighter to have a decent skill set, eventually.

The rankless system doesn't lessen versatility, it simply changes it. We still choose a new feat every few levels to add to our repetiore, now we'd choose s new skill every couple levels, too.

Here's a compromise: Rankless system, no cross-class skills (always HATED that name anyway). All skills have a rank equal to your Hit Dice, plus modifiers. Class skills get a +3.

DogBone

P.S. The Paladin (pg. 19): Shouldn't they have d10 Hit Dice? After all, they do use the Fast Attack Progression chart.

Simple - the old Pathfinder RPG Alpha Test file has been replaced by the new athfinder RPG Alpha Test file (2.0) - I didn't notice that myself - it would be nice if you mark something like this somewehere on your page where it is easily seen.

Thanks Feytharn.

DogBone

Thanks just downloaded it after seeing your post.

Where do you get Alpha Release 2? I can't seem to find it.

DogBone

DogBone,

It appears that the Gazetteer was actually meddling with the shipment of your Pathfinder #8 (this is actually quit rare). I have fixed this and we will get your Pathfinder out as soon as possible as well.

thanks,
cos

Cool, thanks.

DogBone

P.S. Although, I did notice that, by splitting the order in two, it increased the delivery charges by $3. Oh well...

I am on of the people who haven't recieved there pathfinder products for April, nor the PDFs that come with them. Could you please check my account to make sure that I haven't forgotten some information that I should have provided to Paizo?

Thanks in advance and I hope you are all recovering from the Flu.

Michael Griffin-Wade

Same here. I had added the Pathfinder Gazeteer to my order, which I thought slowed it down. Now, on my "My Account" page, it says that delivery won't be until May. ?!?!? What's going on?

DogBone

Your PDF will become available when your book ships. Right now, your Pathfinder #8 is waiting to ship with your Gazetteer. However, we will be shipping the Gazetteers soon so your will have access to you PDF very soon.

Thanks,
cos

Thanks for the update. I await with baited breath.

DogBone

Paizo,

I recently renewed my Pathfinder Adventure Path subscription. I also added a couple other products to the order. I have yet received these in the mail. Now, I realize that not all of the hard copies are available just yet (I think the Pathfinder Gazetteer is the hold-up), however, I haven't yet been able to download the PDF for PF #8. I believe I get the PDF version as well as the print version with my subscription, yes? So, my ultimate question is, why the hold-up with the PDF?

Gary W. Hoff
ghoff@carolina.rr.com

Anyone else thinks Weapon Swap is a stupid feat?

I mean common, no serious fighter just stabs 4 times with his primary hand weapon, followed by all attacks with his secondary hand weapon.
While the mechanic might be static, combat is NOT!
Even if you take a full attack your character is not literally standing still and triking several times.
They move! They dodge, they sulk around each other.

Ok this goes further then Weapon Swap, so I come back to this.
I think Weapon Swap (as is) is just stupid.
It might work if you eliminate this all primary first thing and build some negative to-hit modifier or better: loss of extra attacks in, but right now: Puh!

It appears that your overanalysing this. Of coarse combat is not static. Of coarse there's moving, dodging, ducking, shifting, etc. However, can you imagine how complicated the game would be if you had to play all that out.

Example: Roll for first attack, the enemy attacks you, declare dodge, second attack, got hit, off-hand attack, 5-foot step, make final attack, and so on, and so on.

There are elements to 3.5E that aren't fully meshed with reaity. But what mechanic is? I think weapon swap works fine as is. Arguing about how it isn't realistic almost seems silly to me. If you don't the feat, don't take it, no one's forcing you.

DogBone

P.S. Any word yet on when this Alpha Release 2 is supposed to be out?

Maybe they're going to abandon the GSL and simply continue with the OGL!

Maybe they're going to make a more friendly 3rd-party policy!

Maybe I won the lottery today!

;)

Maybe I've lost touch, but... what does GSL stand for? I know OGL is the "Open Gaming License", but I haven't heard of the GSL before.

However, if WotC isn't going to allow 3rd party publishers to produce 4E material, wouldn't that do one of two things.
1. Drive many of them into bankruptcy, or
2. Force them to continue supporting 3.5E. Maybe even support this new Pathfinder RPG I hear so much about. Hmm...

DogBone

Not condescending at all!

And I definitely understand what you're saying, however it does sometimes occur (especially with USPS) that one shipment will mysteriously be delayed by a week or two with nary an explanation. Furthermore, in my experience, this occurs much more often than a package disappearing altogether. The US Postal service may not be terribly reliable for consistent timeliness (especially with Standard Mail), but it is pretty reliable for getting a package delivered.

This is why I asked to give it another week. So that we can make sure that we don't end up sending you two copies of the book. Besides, when sending a replacement, we prefer to send it with the next subscription shipment (especially when we are paying all of the shipping fees, as in your case with your transitioned subscription). Your next subscription shipment will be Pathfinder #7, which should be shipping at the end of this month or the beginning of March.

So please, if you still have not seen it by the beginning of next week, let me know and I will put a replacement copy in with your next subscription shipment.

Thanks,
cos

Cos,

Well, I've waited an additional week, and I still have not received Pathfinder #6. I would really appreciate it if an expedited copy could be to me sent very, very soon. Thank you for your patience and unswerving loyalty to, and belief in, the US Postal system. ;~)

DogBone

Your Pathfinder #6 was shipped to you via USPS Standard Mail, which has an estimated delivery time of 3 to 10 business days. Today would be business day 9 from January 29th, so your Pathfinder is still probably on it's way to you. Please give it another week to show up. If you still have not seen it by the beginning of next week, let me know and I will put a replacement copy in with your next subscription shipment.

thanks,
cos

Cos,

Not to sound condesending or anything, but I waited Monday, and Tuesday, even Wednesday just to be sure. No Pathfinder #6. Would it be possible to get a replacement? Usually it only takes 3 or 4 days to receive my copy (5 at most). So when it approaches 9 or 10 days, I know something's wrong. Thanks.

DogBone

Dear Paizo,

According to my account info, Pathfinder #6 was shipped out on 1/29/08, but, as of 2/9/08, I still have not received it. If a replacement could be shipped ASAP, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

DogBone

Alright, time to put my 2 cents in...

I agree with what some others have said; it's the timing. Quick rundown:
time gap between 1E and 2E: 15 years ('74 - '89),
time gap between 2E and 3E: 11 years ('89 - '00),
time gap between 3E, 3.5E, and 4E: 3 and 5 years respectively?!?
3E came out in 2000, then we get the 3.5E "upgrade" only 3 years later, which admittedly fixed some nagging issues with the rules. Now, barely 5 years after that, a whole new edition?! It does seem a little like a bottom-line issue. WotC's motivation isn't what's best for the game, or it's consumers, but it's wallet. Which begs the question; how much of this is WotC, and how much is big boy Hasbro pulling the stings?

I'm not enthused by this new pantheon they've cobbled together, smushing everything into one generic mush, or the tweaking of the cosmology, simply because of this "we got nothing better to do" mentality WotC seems to have right now. However, I'm not all that freaked out by what's being done with the campaign settings, especially FR, which is my "home away from home" type setting. So Halruaa was destroyed and everything's whacked out. I can roll with that. Besides, creatively I can place my campaign anywhere in the FR's history. Before the spellplague, during, after, whenever. I have enough sourcebooks and a good enough memory to know pretty much all I need concerning the history of Faerun.

Overall, I am being lenient concerning 4E. I wasn't very pleased with 3E when it was anounced, but after seeing the rules, and reading the PH, I was hooked. What I've seen of the rules so far (like the 4E pit fiend) hasn't really given me the warm fuzzies, but then again it's still a work-in-progress. I'll wait until I can peruse the finished product before I render a decision as to my thumbs up or thumbs dowm for 4E.

DogBone

Personally, when I first saw that a magazine was going to cost $20 a month, I almost gagged. That was outrageous. Even with the subscription discount it was double the cost of an issue of Dungeon.

But, after receiving PF 1, I see where the money is going. The production design is excellent. The artwork is superb. And I'm really intrigued by this new game world. I especially love Sandpoint. It has that sleepy, suburban home-town feel to it.

I didn't think I would maintain my subscription passed the first few issues, but I sure will now.

DogBone

P.S. Everyone is right though...PF 4 wasn't the greatest.

I agree, but I think it's unlikely in the next couple years. HD-DVD is MS's baby, and going BluRay would be like Bill admitting he uses Safari to surf the web, or likes FrontRow better than Windows Media Center.

To be exact, HD-DVD is Toshiba's baby, they developed the technology. Toshiba and Sony tried to develop a dual system that would play both the old red laser format (HD-DVD) and the blue laser format (guess), but they couldn't; more likely, they were impatient. They had their own formats, so when a dual format didn't pan out immediately, they released their independent systems and started the "war".

DogBone

Thanks!

Feel free to post any questions about them here.

Do you have to have the True20 manuals to understad the conversions, or are they self-explanatory?

DogBone

Looks like my Xbox might be going on the eBay market soon...

I wouldn't necessarily say that. The HD-DVD player for the XBOX 360 is a separate piece of equipment, an add-on. What's to say that they can't develop a Blu-ray version?

DogBone

magdalena thiriet wrote:

Which side is porn industry on?

HD-DVD, which is exactly why they are thumping on Blue Ray hardcore (please forgive the unintentional puns). Sony finally figured it out and apparently they are going to release Pirates and a few other big porn titles on Blue Ray now.

Actually, I read an article that said many inustry execs at Sony were claiming that they (Blu-Ray) are winning, or have already won, the "war". Apparently, six of the 8 or 9 movie studios are going with Blu-Ray.

However, I think that's premature. The picture quality may be better, but the price is still outrageous. And, from what I've seen personally, most consumers are sticking with the standard DVD format. Until the High-def formats are more in-line with standard DVD pricing models, I don't think that'll change.

DogBone

Me, personally, I'd say it was "Soldiers of Ice", which was apart of the Harper's series.

Let me explain. I've never read Spellfire, or Pool of Radience, but SoI, ick. The whole plot was this: things are messed up, so heroes devise a plan to fix them, but that plan gets messed up. So a new plan is devised, but that plan also gets messed up. Repeat this process about 7 or 8 more times, there is the book in a nutshell.

Talk about boring me to tears. I guess I got spoiled by Elaine Cunningham's books, which are pretty well written. Learned my lesson...

DogBone

A long, long time ago I can still remember

how those adventures used to make me smile.
I knew if I had my chance, I could make the plots advance
And gamers they'd be happy, for a while.

But then 150 made me shiver: No more issues would be delivered.
Bad news on the website; the license loss was not right.
Many gamers wailed and cried, but Wizards pushed them to the side
In pursuit of corporate pride, the day that Dungeon died.

HA HA HA!!!

Very creative...and to the tune of "American Pie", right?

DogBone

Simply put, WotC isn't doing things right. If they would release a complete issue of each magazine, once a month, it'd be a much better setup. They'd have the time to look over all the article submissions, do proper editing, maybe cast around for some ideas (A.K.A. brainstorming). But instead, they have people posting an article once every few days. Not enough time to fix errors or spruce up the subject matter if things aren't top-notch.

But I am getting the distinct impression that WotC is just going through the motions in regards to Dragon and Dungeon. They really don't want to bother, but they know what we RPGers would say, so they feel they have to placate us. What they really need is a staff devoted to nothing but these two magazines. But that isn't going to happen. This was about cutting overhead after all, despite what the press release said.

Plus, let's not forget that WotC spun off their magazine department 5 years ago; it's now Paizo Publishing. They are the ones with all the magazine publishing experience (and are still putting out a quality product, judging from the Pathfinder series). WotC has none anymore. They are running the online variants like any other online website, and that isn't good enough for a proper magazine, even an on-line one. I've read e-zines before, and they can be just as well written and top quality as any hard copy magazine. So, it can be done.

Until WotC decides to dedicate themselves to turning out a proper magazine, with the proper infrastructure to support it, we'll suffer with their "replacement material".

DogBone

P.S. My feelings kind of ran over, so I apologize for the excessive ranting.

DogBone

No, I don't have RPGXplorer, but I would assume it means run the ACTUAL application. Not one of the files you got, but the actual application you downloaded and installed on your computer. The one I assume that you use to actually access / build/ modify stat blockas and what have you.

Ok, dumb question...exactly where would I go to download this RPGXplorer application? I don't believe I ever downloaded anything remotely like it, so that could be the source of my troubles (STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!!). Sorry to be such a doofus, but could I get some help? Thanks

DogBone

P.S. OK, I found RPGXplorer's website, so this should solve my problems. Thanks to everyone for putting up with my ineptitude.

It sounds like you're trying to open the files directly in your web browser. Did you do the following steps? (Insert the particular product name where you see "ProductName.")

1. Unzip the files to a temporary location.

2. Run the (ProductName)Help.exe (this is a self-extracting zip), and choose your installation directory's HelpPages folder as your "Unzip to" folder (it is "C:\Program Files\RPGXplorer\Characters and Rules\HTML\HelpPages" by default)

3. Run the (ProductName)Images.exe (this is a self-extracting zip), and choose your installation directory as your "Unzip to" folder (it is "C:\Program Files\RPGXplorer\Characters and Rules" by default)

4. Run the RPGXplorer application (ideally updated to the latest version first)

5. Use File->Load Components on the (ProductName).xml file. Unless you are trying to maintain particular changes in your database, you should overwrite all changed components.

I followed the directions exactly. Although I have one small question: When you say "Run the RPGXplorer application", this means the xml file, right? I only have 3 files, the [programname]help.exe, [programname]images.exe, and [programname].xml. Since I used the first two in steps 1 & 2, I assume the XML is meant for step 3. If that's not the issue, then I'm at a loss. Any other suggestions?

DogBone

I recently downloaded the rpgXplorer downloads for the RoftRL series. All three (the Player's Guide, Burnt Offerings, and Skinsaw Murders) don't seem to be working. I unzipped all the files, as per the instructions, but when I run the application, I just get a large listing of XML files in my web browser. No web page, no pictures, no details; just a large list of coomand prompts. I checked my browser (IE 7) and I don't see any problems. Can you help me?

DogBone

But as for broken, i think turning undead is a monster. It is hard to use, requiring a "to-hit" roll that isn't really, a "damage" roll that again isn't, and the overall effect doesn't scale well with the character level/CR system. Oh well, I am babbling...

I always thought that the best alternate Turn/Rebuke Undead rule was the Turn DC. Suggested in the Book of Exalted Deeds (or was it Complete Divine, not sure) they suggested every Undead creature should have a Turn DC, equal to its HD + turn resistance + CHA modifier, or something like that. Tada!!!! One simple roll. Of coarse my DM said it'd create more work for him to figure out every Undead's turn DC... jeez, such a whineyboy.

Now, what's confusing is why WotC, after coming up with this idea that was cool enough to be worthy of publishing, hasn't included Turn DCs into their monster stat blocks?

DogBone

I also miss Farscape, and Babylon 5, and Firefly (which was never given a chance). I also miss a show called John Doe, anyone remember that one? The guy who knows EVERYTHING about ANYTHING except his own identity. Really had me hooked, even if it hooked no one else.

I am alos pleased to hear CBS changed their mind and renewed Jericho.

Anything else anyone misses?

DogBone

I have waited, patiently, for a month, 2/20 to 3/20, and I still haven't received Dungeon #145. This is becoming quite a bad habit. I sent an e-mail to customer.service@paizo.com, but still, no word. Can a replacement copy please be sent. I will also check with my local Post Office to see if there is anything going on on there end. Thanks.

DogBone

A replacement copy will be sent this week. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thanks Michelle. NEVER let it be known that you guys don't care about your customers. Thanks again for the quick response.

DogBone

I, too, haven't received Dragon 353. I was going to wait until the end of the month to say something, seeing as it's a short month, but if others still haven't received theirs...

DogBone

I for one would love something like this. I no longer have the time, or money, to buy every single D&D supplement that comes out. While I have several of the books that account for the Spell Compendium, I don't have them all. Same for a Feat Compendium. I still haven't gotten the Complete Adventurer (don't ask me why), only recently purchased the Complete Warrior (wasn't really that great a book anyway), and have no plans to purchase either the Complete Scoundrel or Complete Champion. So, one book that compiles all those sources together would be invaluable.
Also, it might also be prudent to have a few separate lists for the various campaign-specific feats (Forgotten Realms, Eberron, etc.). I sincerely hope that WotC takes this suggestion seriously.
I would suggest this to be a 2008 book project. This way it could encapsulate all of the 2007 material. And yes, once published, it would become increasingly incomplete, but not obsolete. Besides, all those online lists are just that; lists. There is very little in the way of descriptive text included, and are more like bibliographies. That, in my opinion. makes them a poor substitute for a real sourcebook.

DogBone

Ironically, they kind of addressed this issue in Dragon 351, even going so far as to give stats for the "little bat things with big eyes". They're called Phanatons. They even have suggestions for new animal companions, as well...

DogBone