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Anyone know why, at the start of the D&D era, the adventuring professions were called claases?

Pretty much the title, roommate wanted me to ask.

Whats the best system to run a Post Apocalyptic Survival game?

Say a near future at start...

Or maybe a far future at start....

Also what about a fantasy post apocalyptic game, how would that work?

Why do you think there aren't any stat minimums in 5e? Why do you think this is a good/bad thing?

Personally I think its not a good thing mainly because it doesn't make since to me. Lets take wizard for example. I don't think any master would take on an apprentice who doesn't have the potential to be at least as good as he is, there are exceptions of course but (my opinion) extremely rare (everyone else is dead and he needs help so he training the int 4 surviving person. Collages would be close to the same thing.

The wizard example would work for most classes I think.

At least this is my opinion on why I think no minimums is not good.

Thoughts?

Now I had a question on this and was hoping that the learned and experienced people of this forum could help.

"Realms of role playing

Let’s start pushing the pendulum the other way
by Gary Gygax, 1985

There was a long period of time when action, rather than role playing, was the major focus of gaming, and this was especially true with respect to tournament scenarios at conventions. Thus, an AD&D® game scenario would typically stress combat with monsters to achieve the goal set before the characters. Now, the pendulum has swung the other way much emphasis is being placed on how well the player takes on the role of his or her character. Personification and acting are replacing action of the more direct and forceful type be it sword swinging, spell casting, or anything else. Before this trend goes too far, it is time to consider what the typical role-playing game is all about.

First, it is important to remember that ‘role-playing' is a modifier of the noun game. We are dealing with a game which is based on role playing, but it is first and foremost a game. Games are not plays, although role-playing games should have some of the theatre included in their play. To put undue stress upon mere role-playing places the cart before the horse. Role playing is a necessary part of the game, but it is by no means the whole of the matter.

Role playing is similar to, but not the same as, role assumption. The latter term is generally used to identify the individual’s acceptance of a part which he or she could actually perform. While a child might play the role of a parent, an adult would assume that role when dealing with his or her children. This distinction is important in the context of gaming because of the stress now being placed upon role playing. Too much emphasis in this direction tends to make playing out an adventure more of a children’s let’s pretend activity than an action-packed game which involves all sorts of fun, including the playing of a role but other fun aspects as well.

A role-playing game should be such that players begin the personification portion as role play, and then as they progress the activity should evolve into something akin to role assumption. This does away with stilted attempts to act the part of some character. In place of this, players should try to become that person they are imagining during the course of the game, and conduct the actions of their characters accordingly. A spy, for example, speaks in one way to his superiors, in another way when he converses with his equals, and in yet an entirely different way when he is attempting to penetrate an enemy installation and is impersonating a plumber, perhaps. Implemented in this fashion, the concept becomes one of roles within roles.

This applies to all role-playing games, of course. Straining to play a role is certainly contrary to the purpose of the game. The actual reason for gaming is fun, not instruction in theatrics or training in the thespian art. Role playing is certainly a necessary and desirable part of the whole game, but it is a part. Challenge, excitement, suspense, and questing are other portions equally necessary to a game of this nature.

Problem solving is the typical challenge in a role-playing game. Whether it is discovering a murderer, finding a magic sword, or seeking to expose a gang of criminals, this element is an integral part of such interactive gaming. And ‘note that problem solving, in this context, has to do with a problem to be solved by the character, not a problem (such as How do I role-play this situation?) to be solved by the player.

Combat, survival amidst threatening conditions, or stalking an opponent are typical means of adding excitement and suspense into the whole. These are action oriented portions of the game activity which call for little role playing but a fair amount of role assumption. The magic-user character (and thus, the player of that character) must know his or her spells and how to utilize them efficiently. The explorer must know outdoor craft. Whatever the situation, setting, or character being played, skill not theatrics is what is called for here.

Having a goal, understanding it, and remaining steadfast in its completion are likewise necessary to role-playing games. This questing, if you will, again has little or nothing to do with role playing in the acting sense. It is closer to role assumption and is a measure of gaming ability and skill.

Role-playing games are different from other games in that they allow participants to create a game persona, develop this character, and enhance his or her skills and abilities. While some considerable amount of acting is most beneficial to play, this is by no means the sole objective or purpose. The fun of such gaming includes all the other elements mentioned, plus the interactive relationships which develop between the various characters of the players participating. In the well-balanced game, role playing should quickly become role assumption, which then again leads to character role playing roles within roles!

Not every game of this sort must be completely balanced with regard to all of these aspects. Such a decision is entirely in the hands of the game master and the players. If a particular group desires to stress acting, or combat, or problem solving, or any other singular feature of the whole, that is strictly up to the individuals concerned. How they enjoy gaming, and what constitutes fun, is theirs alone to decide.

This last point extends not only to players but to products as well. A particular game might be designed to stress one aspect over others. Role playing can be the major thrust, or action and combat, or any of the other elements. Similarly, the underlying game might offer one or another while its accessories and scenarios develop some different aspects. Most games and support material are general and offer a reasonably well-balanced mix.

But is this true for competition situations as well? In contrast to a long period when such tournaments tended to feature hack-and-slash, shoot-‘em-up, and blast-‘em-out situations, there is now a trend toward downplaying everything except the theatrical side of gaming. This tendency has evidenced itself to a lesser extent in some support materials, it must be noted. The reaction is not altogether unwarranted, for many particpants seem to have been ignoring role playing completely, or nearly so, in their games. Instead, it is usual for such games to stress direct, usually violent, action. This is a true detriment to fully appreciating the scope of role-playing games; as with most things, one extreme is just as undesirable as the other.

The current vogue of placing seemingly undue importance on the role-playing portion of the game is simply meant to inform and educate participants about a very important segment of what differentiates these games from other types of games. It is to be hoped that the needed training thus afforded will enable game participants to go beyond role playing of their characters and enter into role assumption instead. Once it is understood that role playing is a vital ingredient of the game, and players understand how to actually accomplish it, the undue attention can be discarded.

Balanced games are certainly the most enjoyable sort for the great majority of players. A meal does not consist of but one thing if it is to be an enjoyable one. By the same token, a role-playing game must have all the ingredients which allow it to be varied and enjoyable. Playing and assumption of roles, interpersonal dealings, action, problem solving, excitement, suspense, and questing are all important to make the whole. The portions can be mixed in different amounts, but each should have a degree of existence within the scope of the whole.

It is common for scenarios to identify the level of experience and skill recommended for those utilizing the material they provide. Perhaps it would be worthwhile to also identify any particular stress the scenario places upon a certain aspect of the game activity role-playing, action, problem solving, or any other.

Tournament scenarios and competitions might also benefit by such identification. Prospective entrants would then be able to determine which aspect they favor, or possibly need to learn more of, before they entered the event. Participants who find their enjoyment lies in one area or another would thus be able to select events optimal for their tastes and avoid those which they might find less fun making the competition experience more enjoyable for everyone who does take part. Is the player who has difficulty personifying a well-understood character any different from an excellent thespian who misplays the game otherwise? By being able to identify the focus of a scenario, not only would players be informed, but they would also be given the opportunity to round out their abilities in weak areas if they chose to do so.

Play of the game is the thing. Play includes development of the character and personification thereof, role assumption and role playing, and the rest. After all, fantasy in whatever form is integral. Whether fighting a dragon, piloting a starship, or shooting it out with evil enemy agents, the action imagined during the game is what really makes it fun. The pendulum did need to move a bit to balance things, but it must not go too far, or the realms of role playing will become small and constricted instead of being as they should be as broad and varied as the imagination."

What is role assumption and how is it different from role play?

Also wanted to see what peoples opinions on this article were.

So in 5e medicine is a wis based skill. Did the WoTC developers feel that medicine was more about intuition and insight then about learning?

Why does dex to damage make sence to you?

Or why does it NOT make sence?

Is there a 5e message board somewhere that is as good as Paizo's pathfinder message boards?

It says 'regains additional hit points equal to 2+ the spells level.'

Is it talking about the spells actual level or the spell slot used?

Cure wounds is 1st, prayer of healing is 2nd, mass cure wounds is 3rd, etc or cure wounds cast at 3rd lv?

Is what I'm asking clear enough or should I explain more?

What skill/ability score governs riding mounts?

How do you handle creature identification/knowledge?

How did you decide masterwork/superior quality items worked in your game? If you even decided to add this.

I was justing wondering why 5e decided to with 3 CHA casters over a 2/2/2 split....

Wonder why Rope Trick spell doesnt have the ritual tag? Seems to me to be a good spell for ritual...

At least to me this was unclear....

The 2nd paragraph said it was to the GM as to how long training took and how much it cost.

But the 3rd paragraph stated it took 250 days and 1gp per day.

Maybe I missed something....?

As I understand it, caster level is equal to character level. Is there ant exception to this ruling?

Do you gain both domain spells when reach the level for those spells or do you need to choose one of the two spell available?

So what was the inspiration for each class in the D&D/PF games. If you know, think you might know, have a guess on what/who/where each class got its inspiration I'd like to hear about it.

Lets start with the "Standard" classes....

Fighter
Ranger
Paladin
(Barbarian)
Rogue
Monk
Cleric
Wizard
Druid
(Bard)

I think these are them....

Which do you perfer?

Need freash eyes for this to make usre I'm not missing anything.

How many could he cast in a day? And at caster level?

Int 20 Elf or Half-Elf

Sorcerer (Sage) 1/ Wizard (Evocation) (Spellbinder) 4

Trait: Magical Knack (Sorcerer) Benefit: Pick a class when you gain this trait—your caster level in that class gains a +2 trait bonus as long as this bonus doesn't raise your caster level above your current Hit Dice.

Feat: Spell Specialization (Magic Missile) Benefit: Select one spell of a school for which you have taken the Spell Focus feat. Treat your caster level as being two higher for all level-variable effects of the spell.

Spell Bond (Magic Missile)

No 1st level wizard spells memorized as magic missile.

Bare bones info…..you need more info to help let me know.

When you use a class ability/trait/feat to change the governing sbility for Diplomacy do you also look at modifying the way you role-play the skill? If your using int for Diplomacy do you try to portray a more reasoning/learning way to Diplomacise (sp?) someone?

So in your opinion what bogs down combat the most

My opinion, its people not knowing their basic numbers up front. One vetern players would calc his to hit bonuses every time he attacked.

Another is people being distracted by cell phones.

what else?

In earlier editions at what point/level did spellcaster start to be considered powerful?

Then the changes to 3.x and PF, did spellcasters become powerful earlier then in 1e/2e?

When did being able to Act become damn near a requirement to play an RPG?

This is just the the impression I've been getting from alot of the threads and posts I've seen over the last couple years.

Example are:

"How do I my player role-play more?'

"....will reward role-play and creativity...."

"We sometimes go entire sessions with out rolling dice."

Edit: How much RP is required in your groups? Not everyone is comfortable RPing, is the game going to be unaviable to so people in the near future?

Looking for a mature group to join for weds/thurs. Pathfinder is absolutely necessary but its the game I've been playing for the last few years. Personally I'm not a very heavy RPer since I'm pretty introverted. PM me and I'll send my email so we can chat...

For more info, I live in El Cajon and my days off are weds and thurs. I have my own transportation but dont want to have to travel more then 20 miles to a game.

Where did the concept come from? I know that the gundlinger comes from James Jacobs and Stephen Kings the 'Dark Tower' books and the concept of this class is understandable.

I personally dont understand the Alchemist can anyone enlighten me?

I heard this person talking about a character he wanted to play. It was an alchemist who had a Jekyl and Hyde personality. His Hyde personality was an opposite alignment and opposite general personality then the Jekyl personality. Would you want a character in your party who, under stressful situations (combat), could become a total unknown quality at the worst possible time?

While I understand this might seem like a cool RP character to some, to me it seems more like a time bomb waiting to screw over the group.

But like I said thats just the way I see something like this.

What do you think is the optimal group size/number of people?
Minimum size you'd play in?
Maximum size?

How do you role play a Sense Motive roll?

Not sure if this is best place for this thread but here goes....

I'm going to try running a PF World of Grethawk and run T, A, G, D, and Q, if we even get that far.

What I'm looking for are suggestions for good campaign feats and trait for this 'AP'.

I've like the idea of a bonus campaign feat for the players suggested in the APs and I also think campaign specific stuff helps with immursion(sp?).

Is there a Greyhawk amp with the modules locations noted on it?

Has anyone coverted the ToEE to the PF system? I've seen threads where someone was coverting it to Golarian but thats not what I'm looking for. I plan on using the Greyhawk world but updated to PF. If anyone has already done the work on anything GH it would really help me alot since I dont have lots of time to do the covertions myself.

I was looking at doing the T series followed by the A series, then the G series and then finally of course by the D series.

If anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

I already got Silke's G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King, That was an awesome find Thanks again to Silke!!!

Are there any good, not to hard to learn/run, super hero/modern/sci fi ttrpgs out there?

I played Champions/Heros and V & V before. While I liked Champions it was that easy of a game to run or play. V & V, to me, was WAY to dependant on the GM for alot of things.....I like rules more then GM fiat.

Do you name your adventuring group(s)? How much though goes into the name if you use one?

Sample names....
Companions of the Bright Spear (from a book)
Company of the Horn of Moo (joke)
Warrior Mages of Skeksis (group name we used WAY back when)

Snapleaf=Covert Paratroopers
Decanter of Endless Water=Power Boats

Should you be able to ready an action to attempt a Sunder or Disarm maneuver against an opponent with a reach weapon that attacks you?

I think I'll call it 'adjustable'. What it does is this.

Normal weapon enhancements gives the weapon a plus to attack and a plus to damage, so say we use a +2 weapon, what adjustable does is allow the weilder of the weapon to move the attack and damage bonuses around. meaning that as a move action you can have a +3/+1 weapon or a +4/+0 or +1/+3 etc. even if you make it +0/+4 it is still considered a magic bonus to attack so you can bypass DR/Magic.

So what do you think? Overpowered, underpowered, useless and not worth the time, useful if the cost is right, etc...

Bad guy casts protection from good/circle of protection from good. Have infernal healing cast on you and now you read as evil. Should be able to bypass the protection correct?

Is there a feat like furious focus for deadly aim? I looked but didnt find anything, I'm hoping I just missed it.

When you do a background for a character and say that you have a mentor for the class you decided on, how long to use for the training in that class? I havent seen anything on this as optional/suggestion in anything I read....maybe I've missed it in one of the books.

I'm trying to build a background for the mentor of a dead character, who I'm now brining in to replace said dead character, and need some thoughts on how long it take to train the dead character to first level.

Is a two weapon thrower build a workable character? A character that throws a weapon from each hand for those who didnt understand what I was asking. I saw this type of character once at a PFS game but didnt get any info on how he was put together and how viable the build was.

Thanks.

Is there any info about FCB for ACG classes for races such as aasimar, tiefling, oread, etc?

Doesn the Arcanist "flame arc" count as area effect for swarms? I know its discription says its a line effect... just wasnt sure if a line effect worked.

Is this the most lame FCB there is? Just how many Good Discriptor arcane spells are there?

Why do thrown weapons have a static range increment? Doesnt matter what strength you have, everyone can throw the same distances.

Personally I think thrown weapon ranges should be modified by str. Example 10' +/- 5' per str bonus (or lack there of).