Simplified D&D - Anyone Interested in Designing With Me?

[Ziegander]

The following is what I've got so far:

1) Classes and Powers are divided into Sources of Power™.

2) All classes get the same "base attack bonus" and "base save bonus" and skill points per level. That is to say, that all classes add +1/two levels to attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks.

3) At 1st level, classes get their class features. Characters may multiclass freely, like 3.5 multiclassing, but when they do they automatically advance to 2nd level in any class taken after 1st level. So, for example, a Fighter 1/Wizard 1 has the class features of a Fighter and a Wizard Power (see below), while a Wizard 1/Fighter 1 has the class features of a Wizard and a Fighter Power. The magnitude of level-based effects is based on character level, making multiclassing a breeze.

4) At 2nd level, and every three levels thereafter, classes get a Power chosen from the list of Powers given to the Source of Power™ associated with each class.

5) At 3rd level, and every three levels thereafter, classes get a Talent, which is like a Perk from the Fallout series of games, chosen from the list of Talents available to the classes associated with their Source of Power™.

6) At 4th level, and every three levels thereafter, classes get a boost to one of three Attributes as determined by the Source of Power™ associated with each class.

7) The Attributes are Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma (just like Ability Scores, but a creature's Attribute can't be confused with one of its Special Abilities). They work basically like they do in 3.5 D&D.

8) To make things even easier, all classes add +1/two levels to Armor Class, and all classes deal one extra damage dice with their attacks at every odd level. Powers and Talents may increase the damage of an attack on a case-by-case basis.

9) Damage dealt by attacks is determined as Light (Xd6), Medium (Xd8), or Heavy (Xd10). Attacks deal 1 dice of damage at 1st level and advance in damage dice as above.

10) Characters and Monsters get a base of 6hp per level, 8hp per level, or 10hp per level.

11) All classes go to 30 levels. The first ten levels are the Adventurer Levels. Levels 11-20 are called the Heroic Levels. Levels 21-30 are called the Epic Levels.

12) Monsters have levels, but are built "top-down" which means that they are just given powers and such as they need. Otherwise they follow all the same action resolution rules as PCs.

13) Experience is calculated with a simple formula. When a character gains 100xp, he gains a level. When he gains a level he resets to 0xp. A challenge of equal level to the party is worth 25xp, for every level below a challenge is you receive 5 less xp (to a minimum of 0xp), for every level higher a challenge is you receive 5 more xp (to a maximum of 100xp).

14) If a monster has the same level as a PC, then they should be of equal power. This means, that for a party of one 5th level PC fighting one 5th level Monster, this is an equal level challenge, worth 25xp. For a party of four 5th level PCs fighting four 5th level Monsters, this is also an equal level challenge, worth 25xp. For a party consisting of one 5th level PC, one 7th level PC, one 4th level PC, and one 1st level PC (Avg 4.25) fighting one 5th level Monster, since the party has 4 members, we divide the Monster's level by 4, arriving at a challenge level of 1.25, making it a challenge three levels lower, worth only 10xp.

15) Bonus types are reduced to Attribute, Circumstance, Class, Item, Level, and Power. Penalties are always typed as well (with one of the aforementioned types). Bonuses/Penalties of the same type do not stack aside from Circumstance and Level bonuses/penalties, they overlap with one another, applying only the highest (there is not such thing as a Level penalty).

[The_Mad_Linguist]

14) If a monster has the same level as a PC, then they should be of equal power. This means, that for a party of one 5th level PC fighting one 5th level Monster, this is an equal level challenge, worth 25xp.

So you gain 25 xp... in exchange for a 50% chance of death?

For a party consisting of one 5th level PC, one 7th level PC, one 4th level PC, and one 1st level PC (Avg 4.25) fighting one 5th level Monster, since the party has 4 members, we divide the Monster's level by 4, arriving at a challenge level of 1.25, making it a challenge three levels lower, worth only 10xp.

So let's say I have a level 10 guy 'brawn mcmighty' fighting a level 5 orc 'generic mcmook'.  25-5*(10-5)=0 
He gets no experience points for it.

Let's say he pulls a random level 1 bum off the street named 'shrimp mcgee' and has him join the party.  He stuffs Shrimp Mcgee into a portable hole with a crate of beer and tells him to chuck the empties at anyone who looks funny.

shrimp mcgee + brawn mcmighty = 11, party average = 5.5
divide generic mcmook's level by two, so 'challenge level' is 5/2 = 2.5

This is a 'three levels down' challenge, apparently.  That means Brawn Mcmighty earns MORE experience points because he has an alcoholic sequestered in his portable hole. 

Or let's say he hires two level 1 bums to throw bottles at the orc from a distance while he fights it in melee
Party total = 12, party average = 4.  Divide generic mcmook's level by three to get 1.7.  Difference is TWO levels, so Brawn McMighty is earning fifteen experience points more than if he hadn't gotten some ranged backup.

Adding MORE members to the party shouldn't give you more experience points.

Also, how does the system work for awarding experience to an outnumbered party?  Is facing an alley full of ten level 1 bums really equal to facing a single level 10 barbarian?  I think not.

[RedWarlock]

14) If a monster has the same level as a PC, then they should be of equal power. This means, that for a party of one 5th level PC fighting one 5th level Monster, this is an equal level challenge, worth 25xp.

So you gain 25 xp... in exchange for a 50% chance of death?

Yep. One-quarter of a level. That sounds pretty good to me. You'd give them more?

For a party consisting of one 5th level PC, one 7th level PC, one 4th level PC, and one 1st level PC (Avg 4.25) fighting one 5th level Monster, since the party has 4 members, we divide the Monster's level by 4, arriving at a challenge level of 1.25, making it a challenge three levels lower, worth only 10xp.

So let's say I have a level 10 guy 'brawn mcmighty' fighting a level 5 orc 'generic mcmook'.  25-5*(10-5)=0 
He gets no experience points for it.

Let's say he pulls a random level 1 bum off the street named 'shrimp mcgee' and has him join the party.  He stuffs Shrimp Mcgee into a portable hole with a crate of beer and tells him to chuck the empties at anyone who looks funny.

shrimp mcgee + brawn mcmighty = 11, party average = 5.5
divide generic mcmook's level by two, so 'challenge level' is 5/2 = 2.5

This is a 'three levels down' challenge, apparently.  That means Brawn Mcmighty earns MORE experience points because he has an alcoholic sequestered in his portable hole.

Also, how does the system work for awarding experience to an outnumbered party?  Is facing an alley full of ten level 1 bums really equal to facing a single level 10 barbarian?  I think not.

Well, the portable hole part is an abuse, but I can actually see that, because IF the drunk guy survives, it's only because the brawny guy defended him, which is MUCH more challenging. If he dies, the party level resets back to just the big guy at 10th, and he gets no XP. But the drunk HAS to be present in the encounter, in full danger, or it's just gaming the system.

[Ziegander]

14) If a monster has the same level as a PC, then they should be of equal power. This means, that for a party of one 5th level PC fighting one 5th level Monster, this is an equal level challenge, worth 25xp.

So you gain 25 xp... in exchange for a 50% chance of death?

Hmm. Well, I suppose, "they should be of equal power" can be amended to whatever feels right after playtesting. Basically 25xp should be awarded to a "routine encounter" whatever the hell that comes out to be.

So let's say I have a level 10 guy 'brawn mcmighty' fighting a level 5 orc 'generic mcmook'.  25-5*(10-5)=0 
He gets no experience points for it.

Yeah, that's right.

Let's say he pulls a random level 1 bum off the street named 'shrimp mcgee' and has him join the party.  He stuffs Shrimp Mcgee into a portable hole with a crate of beer and tells him to chuck the empties at anyone who looks funny.

shrimp mcgee + brawn mcmighty = 11, party average = 5.5
divide generic mcmook's level by two, so 'challenge level' is 5/2 = 2.5

This is a 'three levels down' challenge, apparently.  That means Brawn Mcmighty earns MORE experience points because he has an alcoholic sequestered in his portable hole.

Yeeeaaaahhhhh... I knew that there was a problem with the basic formula, but I couldn't put my finger on it. This is clearly not intended. A simple patch solution would be that Brawn McMighty would gain no experience because his actual level is too far over the challenge level, but, if Shrimp McGee survived the encounter, then he would gain experience as if from a "two levels higher" challenge (35xp). Basically, it was a learning experience for the bum, and Brawn McMighty played the part of tutor for a few minutes.

Also, how does the system work for awarding experience to an outnumbered party?  Is facing an alley full of ten level 1 bums really equal to facing a single level 10 barbarian?  I think not.

This was something I had planned for, but I wanted to make sure the basics were outlined before I started layering on more complexity. Basically, the idea would be that, no, ten 1st level bums is not a Challenge Level 10 to a 10th level Barbarian, nor is a 10th level Dragon a Challenge Level 1 to a party of ten 1st level PCs. There would need to be guidelines for building encounters to prevent silliness like that from happening.

[Ziegander]

So, how to handle skills... I think I'll go with the following spread:

Acrobatics (handles flight maneuverability), Arcana, Athletics, Concentration, Diplomacy (Diplomacy/Sense Motive), Dungeoneering, Engineering, Linguistics (Decipher Script/Speak Language), Nature, Perception, Religion, Stealth, Streetwise (Gather Info/Intimidate), Theatrics (Bluff/Disguise/Perform), and Thievery (Forgery/Open Lock/Sleight of Hand).

Craft, Disable Device, and Use X Device would be tied to the appropriate "Knowledge" skill - Arcana, Dungeoneering, Engineering, Nature, or Religion. You wanna build/disable/set traps? Dungeoneering for that. Forge weapons/armor? Dismantle siege engines? Engineering. Craft Wondrous Items or Brew Potions? Either Arcana or Religion, depending, maybe Nature for some potions.

From there I'm gonna say no skill ranks, skills are either trained or untrained. Any character can be trained in any skills, and no class gets more trained skills than any other. Characters choose any 5 skills to be trained in, which grants a +3 bonus to skill checks with that skill. Further, certain classes get a +2 bonus to certain skills, which can be considered "class skills." The Open Minded feat makes a character trained in two additional skills (maybe Rogues get this as a bonus feat).

[bhu]

id love to be involved but life is currently killing me

[SolEiji]

id love to be involved but life is currently killing me

Quick!  Cast Quickened Invisibility and withdraw!  See if you can escape by leaving a summoned monster in your place for life to deal with!  You're a brave, but foolish dude.  Life's CR is immense!

[Ziegander]

Sources of Power

Arcane Power
Classes associated with this power wield the Old Magic, wrought by ancients in days lost, grown dusty and draconic through time. Using archaic gestures, symbols, and words of power, Wizards command and shape terrestrial energies and objects to their whims. The more mastery a Wizard has of the eldritch alchemies, mathematics, and sciences, the more power he or she has.

The Attributes associated with Arcane Power are Constitution, Intelligence, and Charisma.

Power List

(click to show/hide)

Coming eventually...

Talent List

(click to show/hide)

Coming eventually...

Divine Power
Classes associated with this power source are blessed by the gods above, by the dominant ideals, by the innumerable stars that shine in the heavens. By currying the favor of their patrons, Crusaders channel greater strength into themselves or channel unfathomable forces through themselves and into others. The more favor a Crusader has, the more power he or she has.

The Attributes associated with Divine Power are Strength, Wisdom, and Charisma.

Power List

(click to show/hide)

Coming eventually...

Talent List

(click to show/hide)

Coming eventually...

Skill Power
Classes associated with this power source are paragons of discipline and training, born with natural gifts that have been built up through years of arduous work. Practicing their trade for hours on end, Experts are unmatched in their field whether that be swordplay, thievery, or dungeon delving. The more practice the Expert gets in more trades, the more power he or she has.

The Attributes associated with Skill Power are Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.

Power List

(click to show/hide)

Coming eventually...

Talent List

(click to show/hide)

Coming eventually...

[Ziegander]

Proficiencies
Classes have different lists of Class Proficiencies, which contain all of the different types of attacks and trades a character could use in the game. Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armor, Heavy Armor, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, Illusion, Necromancy, Transmutation, Wards, Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics, Concentration, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering, Engineering, Linguistics, Nature, Perception, Religion, Stealth, Streetwise, Theatrics, and Thievery.

Any character can become Trained in any proficiency, but a class with a proficiency on its list of Class Proficiencies gets a +1 level bonus to d20 rolls associated with that proficiency at 1st level, 11th level, and 21st level. A character that is Trained in a proficiency gains a +2 level bonus to those rolls.

At 11th level a character can gain Heroic Training in any three proficiencies, gaining a further +2 level bonus to those rolls.

At 21st level a character can gain Epic Training in any single proficiency, gaining a further +3 level bonus to those rolls.

Wizard Proficiencies
Simple Weapons, Conjuration, Enchantment, Evocation, Illusion, Transmutation, Arcana, Concentration, and Linguistics.

Crusader Proficiencies
Simple Weapons, Light Armor, Divination, Necromancy, Wards, Athletics, Concentration, Diplomacy, and Religion.

Expert Proficiencies
Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armor, Heavy Armor, Acrobatics, Athletics, Concentration, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering, Engineering, Linguistics, Nature, Perception, Stealth, Streetwise, Theatrics, and Thievery.

[awaken_D_M_golem]

If you've played much 4e
... the Companion Characters in DMG2
are nearly too simple. But certainly playable.

[Prime32]

Some thoughts I had on differentiating power sources recently:

(click to show/hide)

Maneuver Deck
Attacks and defences which rely on pure martial skill are referred to as maneuvers. Each character has a maneuver deck consisting of all the maneuvers which he can access. All characters have access to lv0 maneuvers (also known as basic maneuvers), while martially focused characters add more as they gain levels.
 
When combat begins, each character draws 2 maneuvers to his hand. At the beginning of his turn he draws one maneuver from his deck to his hand, and at the end of his turn he shuffles any used maneuvers back into the deck. If, at the end of his turn, he would have more than 5 cards in his hand, then he must return cards to his deck until he has 5 remaining.

By expending 1 action point, you may add one maneuver of your choice from your deck to your hand instead of drawing randomly. After this, shuffle your deck.
 
 
Wild Card
You rely on luck and improvisation in combat, making your fighting style unpredictable.
Benefit: Add a blank card to your maneuver deck. When you draw this blank card, replace it with one maneuver of your choice from your class list. As a full-round action you can remove this temporary maneuver from your deck and add the blank card once again; after this, if the blank card is in your hand you must shuffle it into your deck.
Drawback: Reduce your starting maneuvers and maximum hand size by 1.

Combat Reflexes
You find your bearings in combat quickly.
Benefit: Increase your starting maneuvers and maximum hand size by 1.

War Mage
You have learned to wield spells in the same way as swords.
Benefit: You may add wizard spells you can cast to your manuever deck as maneuvers. Playing a spell-maneuver card allows you to cast that spell as a standard action, like a maneuver. This does not affect your ability to cast that spell normally.

[Ziegander]

Wizard Class Features
Magic Missile (A light damage attack that deals your choice of Cold, Electricity, or Fire damage. You may divide the damage dice of this attack up between multiple targets, making an attack roll for each target, minimum 1 damage die per target).

Summon Familiar (Pending, as 3.5).

Crusader Class Features
Domains (Choose a few Domains. Your choices effect your other class features and determine how you gain favor).

Channel Divinity (Uses 3 + Cha mod per day, effects dependent on Domains).

Expert Class Features
Inspiration (Gain a pool of Inspiration points based on class level, points replenish with rest, use points to boost the actions of yourself or your party members)

Universal Aptitude (Pending. Something akin to a Warblade's Weapon Aptitude but in a way that works with Talents and Proficiencies rather than Feats and Weapons).