Mordoc Se'Lanmere |
So recently i decided i wanted to run the SCAP (Shackled City Adventure Path) using the 5th Edition rules.
No problem I thought, monsters are all there and those that aren't are easily converted, I have over 200 NPC stat blocks from various sources, and encounter building ain't too much different from the days of 3.5e.
Well, I have run into my first speed bump. You see, i want to add the Local Hero traits that are listed for the PCs, but have found that many add a +/- 1-2 bonus to certain abilities... I was stumped (kind of), because 5E works on the system of the proficiency bonus and Advantage/Disadvantage, not bonuses.
So I turn to my fellow GMs for help and to see what you think.
I have three options I am considering:
1. Change all bonuses to Advantage and all penalties to Disadvantage.
2. Bonuses/penalties of 2 become a bonus/penalty equal to half the character's proficiency bonus.
So they would start with +/-1 for a third of the campaign, +/-2 for another third, then go up to +/-3 for the last third. Thus balancing out to a +/-2 throughout the game.
3. Just leave them as is, and just change the obviously different stuff (ie. Skills, effects, etc.)
I am thinking a combination of the three will be best, but I would like some imput from others.
P.S. I may post my notes on conversion later if any one is interested.
DM_aka_Dudemeister |
It's been a little while for me, but as I recall the background traits in Shackled City were feats, so you could format them like 5e feats and give one to every player for free.
However, Paizo later created traits which players got for free. Traits are basically the Pathfinder version of what 5e would call Backgrounds.
Backgrounds usually provide proficiency in a couple of skills or tools, and a bit of starting equipment. So you could just format them in the form of Backgrounds.
Mordoc Se'Lanmere |
It's been a little while for me, but as I recall the background traits in Shackled City were feats, so you could format them like 5e feats and give one to every player for free.
However, Paizo later created traits which players got for free. Traits are basically the Pathfinder version of what 5e would call Backgrounds.
Backgrounds usually provide proficiency in a couple of skills or tools, and a bit of starting equipment. So you could just format them in the form of Backgrounds.
Wow! Backgrounds, eh? Had not thought of that.
But how would you model the Demonscarred trait, where your heritage tricks all magical effects (good and bad) to consider you to be evil? In 5e detect/dispel/protect from X does not detect alignment, but type (ie. aberration, celestial,elemental,fiend, etc.) Putting the PC in question at a HUGE disadvantage if they were to detect as fiend. There's a balance reason why all the PHB races are considered Humanoid, including Elves which most would normally consider Fey.Also would you make the backgrounds more powerful to account for drawbacks, just drop the drawbacks, or turn them into roleplaying quirks?
By the way, thanks for answering DM_aka_Dudemeister! I had all but given up on anyone replying. XD
DM_aka_Dudemeister |
I'd definitely change them just to roleplaying quirks, 5e moved away from mechanically representing the minutiae of character details mechanically (which is why I still prefer Pathfinder). But for new players having a drawback hook is fine.
I would either remove the Demonscarred trait entirely, or have it do something else? Perhaps it only functions when detecting, but not other effects? Or perhaps it provides proficiency in Intimidate as the demonic taint manifests physically?