Dalekeeper - I love it!

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I was mislead by your sentence into assuming that you looked down upon fans of IE games.

Since you make it clear that you never meant it that way then I retract my comment about the "smugness" -for the record I never said you were smug, I just said after you pointed out that you didn't find the reason why I didn't agree with you that I felt your comment was smug. That is not the same thing altogether.

If I offended you then I'm really sorry but it was an honest mistake as I've just re-read your post and I must confess its phrasing could quite easily lead to such an interpretation.

Chill out man. Blades is right we don't have to agree. When in doubt using a smiley can make a point better than an entire sentence.

To be entirely honest although Blades is right and we don't have to agree, I must acknowledge the fact that at the end of the day I don't agree with Blades as I like the way IWD2 lets you spend your stat points the way you want.

 

All right, peace to you both.

-Max

 

Alright Caradhras, I retract that rep point! Not!

 

I actually GM'd D&D during the early 90's. And I gotta say, as much as I'm a rules bee-atch, all that matters in actual, real-life gameplay is simplicity and effectiveness. And I still wouldn't use random dice rolls on ANYTHING other than spicing up things and making decisions on "doesn't really matter either way but must be decided NOW" issues. Unless your players are comfortable with the idea of swithcing characters often, forcing some draconian rule on ability score creation isn't going to want them to play more, no matter how much "better" the game would be for it. Most people want to be the best, at least in the beginning.

Being naturally good in three-dimensional geometry, physics, basic anatomy of different species and book-keeping should, IMHO, be the first basic requirement of becoming a GM. Mythology, economics, codes of chivalry and diplomacy and being a good story-teller in general can be a good help along the way, as well. That's a rather tall order for your random pick-up group of friends that wanted to try D&D -- no wonder it never became really popular. CRPG's aren't "the real thing", but that's what got the masses hooked.

And THAT, my friends, is the harsh reality of a die-hard D&D fan today.

 

I've played with many groups, at many levels, includung RPGA events. DMing and just old PCing. Most groups like a certain flair, a certian way to design characters and their own basic house rules(including what time to order the pizza!). The group I grew up with preferred to use the rules from the books, with certain in-house tweaks. But we used the random dice rolls when playing AD&D because those were the rules of the game. We tried to stick to them. It still was great fun, even when your character bit the dust. Sometimes, that is the best part of the experience and allows for some fond memories ("Dude, rmemeber when your Ranger took that Drow Wizard with him when he went over the cliff".) We also played other systems that did not have die rolling as a major aspect. We enjoyed them as well. But usually went back to AD&D. It was simply the best system for our tastes. Random die rolling in no way limited the use of our imaginations or game experiences. It only enhances the experience.

 

That's unfortunately true, it takes a lot to make a good DM and a bad DM is a very traumatic experience. I had a game last Saturday in which the DM (a friend of a friend's) was absolutely dreadful. It really turned me off. Even worse since it was my first game as a simple player for ages (I'm almost always the gamemaster).
When the DM manages the game smoothly nobody realizes all the work that it entails but when he miserably fails then players start to realize that it's not just about reading tables and rolling the dice.

 

Well, I'll get back to the topic. After finally getting the Cleric Domains to install, I started up this party instead with a little help from Dalekeeper. Just finished the Ice Palace.

At creation:

- Human Paladin, LG, Str-17, Dex-14, Con-16, Int-14, Wis-13, Cha-17, Dodge, WF-Longsword - Party Leader(RP reasons only, it makes me smile), Tank and AC specialists. i try to draw enemies to him 1st. with High saves and a good AC, he has lasting power.

- Half-Orc Barbarian, CG, Str-20, Dex-15, Con-17, Int-10, Wis-11, Cha-9, WF-Axe - Tank.

- Lightfoot Halfling, Rogue(1)/Bard(X), NG, Str-12, Dex-19, Con-13, Int-18, Wis-11, Cha-17, Precise Shot - Thief, Buffer, Disabler, Archer and Party spokesman.

- Moon Elf Feywarden of Corellon Larethian, CG, Str-15, Dex-17, Con-14, Int-11, Wis-17, Cha-12, Combat Casting - Archer, Healer, Buffer and Undead Specialists. Backup Melee Fighter when needed.

- Shield Dwarf Druid, NG, Str-14, Dex-16, Con-19, Int-9, Wis-17, Cha-9, Dodge - Specialty character, High HPs, lots of spell support.

- Rock Gnome Wizard, CG, Str-10, Dex-15, Con-20, Int-17, Wis-9, Cha-15, SF-Evocation, SF-Enchantment - Main Arcanists, Damage Dealer.

Really enjoying this group. I like the Dwarf Druid, lots of HP, I let summon some friends and then wade into the enemy lines with them. He is right behind the Barbarian in Kills. Frost Fingers and Burning Hands made for a very entertaining time at the Horde Fortress and it's warrens.

 

Question about sub-races pack by Tioma

When using the Sub-races mod for IWD2, do the new elven sub-races get the abilities of the elves? They are not listed when trying to create a character. ex. Sun elf shows the +2 Intelligence and the -2 Con, but that's it.