RST Studios is me, R. Scott Tilton, you may know me from the boards as Xaaon of Xendrik. I've been playing D&D since 1983, started with AD&D, and never looked back. I've played the gamut of PRGs, from the standards like AD&D and White Wolf, to the more obscure titles like Space 1889. I've had a love/hate relationship with D&D, I had house-ruled 2nd edition so much I had to hand out a small booklet to DM it, so I quit for a few years and played exciting new games with interesting new mechanics, like Earthdawn, Deadlands, L5R and 7th Sea.
When 3.0 came out being published by Wizards of the Coast, I picked it up and read through it...wow, D&D was back with brand new & exciting mechanics, feats and an integrated skill system! I loved it...
When 3.5 came out, I resisted at first (not feeling I needed a full revision) , I actually quit playing D&D again for a few years, I finally got back into it with Eberron, and enjoyed it for a few years again, running home games, and having the great support of the Paizo-run Dungeon and Dragon magazines...then tragedy struck...
Dungeon magazine and Dragon magazine were killed by Wizards, the license pulled from Paizo. Rumors were spreading about 4th edition, but wait, Wizards said at GenCon 2007 that 4th edition wasn't going to be designed til 2009 at least...well they were keeping their little secret...
"To arms, to arms! 4th edition is coming 4th edition is coming!" I was among those that was on the fence, but I read GleeMax and watch the Design discussions, well some of it sounded pretty interesting...So I kept an open mind...I ended up being one of the naysayers by the end, and eventually, when I looked at the books at the store, I said to myself, nope, no way this isn't for me Especially after I noticed the reused artwork.
Paizo made their Pathfinder announcement shortly after the release. I fully participated in the Alpha, the Beta and am a proud 1st printing owner of the true heir to the most popular game in the world.
I hold no hate for 4th edition, I just don't play it.
I have always tinkered with rules, now I play to bring some of my mad tinkerings to the gaming world in a PDF published format.
My first offering is "The Dynamic Battle System"
This is a project I hope to have out in the next year in PDF Format. It would be a major change to the base combat system, but still work with BAB, CMB/D and a majority of the core feats.
The Design Goals of this supplement:
Spoiler:
* Create rules that work within the existing system to allow for truly cinematic combats within the metagame.
* Make each weapon balanced by changing the way iterative attacks work, through the creation of a speed system that isn't cumbersome.
(A dagger should be as dangerous in the hands of an expert as a Great Sword.)
* Make each weapon unique in what you can do with that weapon as your character advances from Proficiency to Mastery. (this weapon revision will also remove some abilities for those who are non-proficient, how can the untrained use a whip effectively to trip their opponents?)
* A picture of every weapon (In final edition, not beta.)
* The return of many weapons that have disappeared in newer editions of the game; including the pike, the broadsword and the military fork!
* (Tentative) If there's room, I'd like to include some real history of the origin and function of the weapons at least some of the more obscure weapons. (In final edition, not beta.)
Prior to publication I will need some external playtesters to evaluate the final workings of the rules.
Sample combat (without numbers)
The Players
Xaane the Rogue (1/2 L1)
Xaane is armed with a dagger.
Mordakk the Fighter (Human L1)
Mordakk is armed with a great sword.
Mordakk, "I have tracked you down Xaane, you will pay for what you did to my family." Mordakk charges towards Xaane, eyes full of hate. Xaane counter charges, sidestepping Mardakk's blade and drawing a bloody line across Mordakk's arm as he continues past Mordakk.
Mordakk, "You slippery little thief, I shall cut you down." Mordakk, more cautiously approaches the halfling rogue, careful to not over-estimate his miniscule opponent again. Xaane launches his own attack at Mordakk, stepping up and launching 3 wild swings at Mordakk, one misses wildly as the other 2 merely deflect off the breastplate with not strength or accuracy.
Mordakk steps up and kicks the little fellow square in the chest, knocking him backwards, as he steps in, and in a purposeful and powerful swing bring the blade down on the rogue, avenging his family.
If you read that carefully you may notice some oddities in the combat that give a glimpse as to the system I'm trying to represent.
