dave2008
Legend
We cap at 18 (for humans) but did discuss capping at 16 to match the +3 max modifier of older editions..
D&D General B/X Vs Modern Ability Scores. ENworlds D&D Design Pt 1
- Thread starter Zardnaar
- Start date
dave2008
Legend
I am going the other way (I think) with my next 5e homebrew. Just ability scores, no modifiers. Your defense is your ability score and your attack is ability score -10. Then adjust for proficiency by stacking advantage, so:
Non-proficient: disadvantage (2d20 pick lowest)
Proficient: standard (d20)
Expertise: advantage (2d20 pick highest)
Mastery: advantage+ (3d20 pick highest)
Grand Mastery: advantage++ (4d20 pick highest)
It all fits better with bounded accuracy and makes sense to me from a training standpoint
TwoSix
Everyone's literal second-favorite poster
That's how the Shadow of the X games do it (Stats are defenses, and modifiers are stat-10). Works very well.
SpellObjectEnthusiast
Adventurer
The important thing isn't whether you use the wotc or the tsr era stat curves - it's about where between 3 and 18 the game assumes a PC to have as a baseline.
In B/X, you use a roll-under for ability checks. If you have a 10, the average roll of 3d6, you'll have a 50% chance of success.
In 5e, in order to have a 50% chance of success at an ability check, you need both Proficiency in a skill and a +3 modifier. (the standard DC is 15)
In B/X, low scores feel like a penalty and high scores feel like a bonus, since the game is designed around a 10 being the expected baseline.
In 5e, high scores feel Necessary, average scores feel bad, and low scores feel miserable, since the game is designed around 16 being the expected baseline.
In B/X, you use a roll-under for ability checks. If you have a 10, the average roll of 3d6, you'll have a 50% chance of success.
In 5e, in order to have a 50% chance of success at an ability check, you need both Proficiency in a skill and a +3 modifier. (the standard DC is 15)
In B/X, low scores feel like a penalty and high scores feel like a bonus, since the game is designed around a 10 being the expected baseline.
In 5e, high scores feel Necessary, average scores feel bad, and low scores feel miserable, since the game is designed around 16 being the expected baseline.
dave2008
Legend
I prefer stacking advantage as it places nicer with BA accuracy, but similar idea.
TwoSix
Everyone's literal second-favorite poster
I did considering stacking advantage, but I like the idea of using different dice to make the difference a bit more visceral.
Very similar to DCC, not sure if it's inspired by it or coincidental.
I'd use b/x if it were feasible.
TwoSix
Everyone's literal second-favorite poster
I own DCC. I was familiar with the idea from it of using different die sizes to adjust results, but it was more a parallel design idea than an explicit homage to the system.
