Thoughts on a simplified SRD game.
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 7:12 am
The DCC RPG is going to be a simplified version of the 3E SRD, along with some enhancements to give it a more unique flavor. I thought it would be interesting to look at the table of contents of the SRD and make comments on how it might be adjusted to create a “3E lite” game. (I’ve started a project like this several times, but never followed through to its conclusion.)
In short, this is a bit of a combination guess and wish-list for the contents of the DCC RPG.
I’m doing this by looking at the TOC only, without actual copies of the SRD chapters open, so my comments are more general than specific.
Legal
* If it’s based on the SRD, it has to have something like this.
Basics
* Most introductory RPGs start with this.
* I’m not sure how “introductory” the DCC game will be and I think that parts of this can be trimmed out, particularly if there is anything about how to play nice with others.
Ability Scores
* Must have this; must add Luck and other adjustments.
* Perhaps some major re-write here since some of the stats have different names (e.g. "Dexterity" v. "Agility")
Alignment
* Important for most campaigns, and I've seen hints that it will be particularly important for the DCC RPG.
Armor Class
* Pretty standard; I'd trim out some of the less usual armor types and stick to the "classics" of leather, chain, plate....
* For “retro compatibility” one might consider both ascending and descending AC.
Saving Throws
* Must have this; prefer FRW saves to older edition ones
Death, Dying & Healing
* Must have this in some form
Condition Summary
Environment
Breaking Items & Attacking Objects
Hazards & Obstacles
* This will need to be addressed for adventures; put into a “GM” section.
Basic Character Classes I (Arcane Archer through Monk)
Basic Character Classes II (Paladin through Multiclassed Characters
Basic Character Classes III (NPC Classes)
Basic Character Races
* Classes may be altered and perhaps shortened, but something similar must be here.
* I tend to focus on Fighter, Thief, Magic-User, Cleric as core classes, and those need full write-ups, but specialized classes (e.g. “Ranger”) could be done in a much shortened format.
* There is also the Race = Class question; some blending might be appropriate.
Feats
Skills Overview
Skills I (Alchemy through Intuit Direction)
Skills II (Jump through Wilderness Lore)
Special Abilities
* Major trim-out section. I assume no feats and limited skills, if any.
* There is a spot on the character sheet for “Special Abilities” so I assume some detail is needed on this.
Carrying, Moving & Seeing
Equipment I (Weapons)
Equipment II (Goods & Services)
* I’d thin out some of the unusual weapons and armor. Stick to the basics.
Combat Basics
Combat Actions
Combat Modifiers
Turning & Rebuking Undead
* Some of this needs to be in there. I’d trim out many of the more advanced maneuvers such as Attacks of Opportunity, since those weren’t around “in the day.”
Treasure
* Important! Must have lots of treasure!
Creature Overview
Familiars, Mounts & Companions
Monsters (A) (B) (C) (D) (Dragons) (E) (F & G) (H) (I, J & K) (L) (M) (N, O & P) (R) (S) (T) (U, V & W) (X, Y & Z) (Animals) (Templates) (Vermin)
* Perhaps a limited number of monsters.
* If limited, I'd focus on the "classics" plus a few really unusual ones -- perhaps go back to Appendix N and find a few from those sources.
* Certainly I’d trim out the details. (Smaller stat blocks, shorter descriptions, etc, so conversion to old editions is easy)
Magic Overview
Arcane Spells
Divine Spells
Schools of Magic
Spell I (Bard through Ranger spell lists)
Spell II (Wizard & Sorcerer spell list)
Spells (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) (H) (I) (J, K & L) (M) (N & O) (P) (Q & R) (S) (T) (U, V, W, X, Y & Z)
* A lot of trimming here as well. Shorten the descriptions, eliminate some of the stats for the spell. Perhaps cut down on the total number of spells.
* Spell lists for each class are nice to make each different, but spell descriptions might all be thrown together alphabetically for ease of reference.
* Maybe eliminate spell components, etc.
* Consider getting rid of spell schools
Magic Items
Magic Items (Creating Magic Items) (Cursed Items) (Intelligent items) (Armor) (Artifacts) (Potions) (Rings) (Rods) (Scrolls) (Staves) (Wands) (Weapons) (Wondrous Items)
* Most of this needs to be in there as well. Again, shorten the descriptions.
* Maybe some sort of random magic generator could be added, so that magic items could gain random bonuses, etc.
In short, this is a bit of a combination guess and wish-list for the contents of the DCC RPG.
I’m doing this by looking at the TOC only, without actual copies of the SRD chapters open, so my comments are more general than specific.
Legal
* If it’s based on the SRD, it has to have something like this.
Basics
* Most introductory RPGs start with this.
* I’m not sure how “introductory” the DCC game will be and I think that parts of this can be trimmed out, particularly if there is anything about how to play nice with others.
Ability Scores
* Must have this; must add Luck and other adjustments.
* Perhaps some major re-write here since some of the stats have different names (e.g. "Dexterity" v. "Agility")
Alignment
* Important for most campaigns, and I've seen hints that it will be particularly important for the DCC RPG.
Armor Class
* Pretty standard; I'd trim out some of the less usual armor types and stick to the "classics" of leather, chain, plate....
* For “retro compatibility” one might consider both ascending and descending AC.
Saving Throws
* Must have this; prefer FRW saves to older edition ones
Death, Dying & Healing
* Must have this in some form
Condition Summary
Environment
Breaking Items & Attacking Objects
Hazards & Obstacles
* This will need to be addressed for adventures; put into a “GM” section.
Basic Character Classes I (Arcane Archer through Monk)
Basic Character Classes II (Paladin through Multiclassed Characters
Basic Character Classes III (NPC Classes)
Basic Character Races
* Classes may be altered and perhaps shortened, but something similar must be here.
* I tend to focus on Fighter, Thief, Magic-User, Cleric as core classes, and those need full write-ups, but specialized classes (e.g. “Ranger”) could be done in a much shortened format.
* There is also the Race = Class question; some blending might be appropriate.
Feats
Skills Overview
Skills I (Alchemy through Intuit Direction)
Skills II (Jump through Wilderness Lore)
Special Abilities
* Major trim-out section. I assume no feats and limited skills, if any.
* There is a spot on the character sheet for “Special Abilities” so I assume some detail is needed on this.
Carrying, Moving & Seeing
Equipment I (Weapons)
Equipment II (Goods & Services)
* I’d thin out some of the unusual weapons and armor. Stick to the basics.
Combat Basics
Combat Actions
Combat Modifiers
Turning & Rebuking Undead
* Some of this needs to be in there. I’d trim out many of the more advanced maneuvers such as Attacks of Opportunity, since those weren’t around “in the day.”
Treasure
* Important! Must have lots of treasure!
Creature Overview
Familiars, Mounts & Companions
Monsters (A) (B) (C) (D) (Dragons) (E) (F & G) (H) (I, J & K) (L) (M) (N, O & P) (R) (S) (T) (U, V & W) (X, Y & Z) (Animals) (Templates) (Vermin)
* Perhaps a limited number of monsters.
* If limited, I'd focus on the "classics" plus a few really unusual ones -- perhaps go back to Appendix N and find a few from those sources.
* Certainly I’d trim out the details. (Smaller stat blocks, shorter descriptions, etc, so conversion to old editions is easy)
Magic Overview
Arcane Spells
Divine Spells
Schools of Magic
Spell I (Bard through Ranger spell lists)
Spell II (Wizard & Sorcerer spell list)
Spells (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G) (H) (I) (J, K & L) (M) (N & O) (P) (Q & R) (S) (T) (U, V, W, X, Y & Z)
* A lot of trimming here as well. Shorten the descriptions, eliminate some of the stats for the spell. Perhaps cut down on the total number of spells.
* Spell lists for each class are nice to make each different, but spell descriptions might all be thrown together alphabetically for ease of reference.
* Maybe eliminate spell components, etc.
* Consider getting rid of spell schools
Magic Items
Magic Items (Creating Magic Items) (Cursed Items) (Intelligent items) (Armor) (Artifacts) (Potions) (Rings) (Rods) (Scrolls) (Staves) (Wands) (Weapons) (Wondrous Items)
* Most of this needs to be in there as well. Again, shorten the descriptions.
* Maybe some sort of random magic generator could be added, so that magic items could gain random bonuses, etc.