Kirk Reed's page

My group has been gaming together since 1983. We all really liked the 2.0 rules but a year ago we agreed to switch to 3e. It is an axiom of game theory that when you change the rules/scoring, the strategy of a game changes. Its going to be a lot different (again) and I wasn't particularly thrilled with the computer game flavor the 3e rules layed down. Also, I like the clearer distinction of classes which helps a group be cohesive while maintaining a mix of skills. But, sigh, who am I to stand in the path of "progress" and profitability. However, I just checked to see how much I spent on D&D gaming over the last year and it comes out to about $7000. Now much of that is on things not affected by the rules, but if there is no conversion between 4e and 3e then the retailor's phone not ringing will be me not calling. I have more material already than could be used in a lifetime (or two) going all the way back to the Judges Guild. So I will let my patronage do the talking; no whining, no invective, just gone.

Also, one should note that there are a lot of other systems out there to play, like Champions, Chill, Cthulu, Paranoia, and White Wolf products that while old are still a lot of fun. The are also LARPs and the SCA. In any case I don't plan to buy another DMG, PHB and MM set with retreaded material....I already own three of each already.

You can make the case that dinosaurs need to leave anyway, and I'm ok with that....

Cheers,

Kirk Reed

As shown by my order history, I'm a dedicated Paizo fan. That said, I am really disgusted with the short amount of time between 3.0 and 4.0 rules. I have played the game from the start and so have large amounts of money invested in all the versions, 1-3.5. So my group has moved through all the versions too as the game has evolved. In fact, we just moved from 2 to 3.5 three months ago and only did that because we wanted to reflect some of our on-line characters onto table top play.

My major complaint with 3 & 3.5 is that it makes the game much more mechanical so it can be digitized. There is a big difference in "feel" between playing F2F and using (at best) Skype to coordinate an attack on line. Only two of us have actually bought the 3.5 PM & DMG. My group won't be moving to 4.0 unless there is a real advantage, up front. So that means I will look for and purchase items that are not 4.0 dependent unless there is a published conversion methodology that will allow me to easily use the mounds of material I already own (I have enough for two lifetimes). The saving grace here is that I play the game and not a particular version. Its the role playing and group dynamic that is enjoyable for the crew I play with so the rules are a sideline.

I have been completely done with Hasbro and WotC for some time...they are clearly in it for the money (only). Go ahead...drive me back to LARPs and up my sca.org time. Eric, you have my support, which ever way you go, but I am at the breaking point with regard to buying a new complement of material just to enrich WotC's coffers.

Cheers,
From an Old Fart

My opinion is that experience makes you an old gamer; sort of a been there done that kind of thing. I started off with the original three books and our group rejoiced when the next two came out. Our group still plays using the Ed 2 rules (long live THACO), but I have quite a collection of products from really old stuff like Judges Guild through 3.5. At 64 I still play and still love it, but the difference now is that the plot lines need to be a little more subtle and the themes sometimes more mature. And add to that a substantial investiment in maps, miniatures and Dwarven Forge layouts. Nothing but fun, a super hobby, and I don't see stopping any time soon.

Lady Lena wrote:

I still do not understand THAC0

Ok, to explain THAC0

It stands for To-Hit-Armor-Class-Zero. That last character is a zero not an “oh”.

The older combat system had the character’s armor class beginning at 10; no armor = bare-butt naked (ok, may a shirt and some britches). Protective ratings for armor subtracted from this number (not added like 3x).

The A/C number would decline towards zero (and sometimes into the negatives). The THAC0 indicated the base number needed to roll to hit this target Zero A/C. Thus, a warrior who had a THAC0 of, say 9, would have to roll a 9 or better on the to-hit die to do damage to an opponent with and A/C of zero (10 points of protection -- or what 3x players would calculate as a 20 A/C).

This number was modified by the target’s actual A/C. So, if an opponent had a total A/C of 4 (six points of protection – roughly the equivalent of chain-and-shield -- or a 3x A/C of 16) the THAC0 of 9 was reduced further by the 4 A/C (4 points worse protection). That would leave the warrior needing an adjusted 5 or better to hit and do damage instead of 3x's 15.

Yeah, complex, but compared to the earliest 1e system, it was actually a helpful innovation that sped up most combat calculations.

Any other questions regarding THAC0?