Hiram McDaniels wrote:I like the four stats that you (Kaelik) chose. I like Perception as a saving throw rather than a skill. I've often wondered why D&D hasn't done this years ago. Can I assume that sense motive gets rolled in here as well, as both would key off of Intelligence in your game?
More than likely social "attacks" will fall under perception saves, same as stealth ones.
Hiram McDaniels wrote:You said that everything (PC's, opposition, non fight-y challenges, et al) has an associated level. Does this mean that you're going to jettison the CR rules? How exactly does encounter/challenge building work?
Yes and No. Obviously CR is out, but since monsters will have a level, that level will perform the function of CR in the rules. My current standard for encounter building is 4 encounters with EL equal to faction level (faction level equals the same level as four PCs who are that level) plus 1. The rules will also probably be specifying that most of the time that EL should be made up of multiple monsters. I'll actually be shooting for an even faster progression of lower level monsters to equal EL, so where in 3e 4 CR-4 monsters equals EL = party level, I'm going to be shooting for 6-8 or so. That depends on how the numbers work out, but that's one of my goals for the combat system, for PCs to actually be able to kill monsters 4 levels lower than them in groups slightly easier.
Hiram McDaniels wrote:How does experience work? Is there any real incentive to sneaking past, or bargaining with a group of trolls rather than just going Leroy Jenkins on them?
Experience won't exist as such. Levels will be granted purely on accomplishment, so if you think bargaining or sneaking will accomplish the goal with more resources preserved, then that is what you should do. (You may decide that you want to kill them for their items, but see below.)
Hiram McDaniels wrote:What about WBL and gear? Is treasure randomized, or is it assumed a player-facing part of character building?
There will be a series of "magic item bonuses" that creatures of all kinds get from having more than zero magic items. Spread out not one for one, so one item is going to grant multiple items. PCs can pick which bonuses they get "first" basically choose the ones they actually have. You have to have items to get these bonuses. However, actual items have some function, are basically randomized, and most of these items will fall into some sort of utility/parrallel option usage (IE, if it takes your standard action and replaces your attack, your ability to fireball with a sword is not a straight upgrade like a flaming sword would be.) There will be some consumable items whether they be scrolls or magic weapons that give you options better than what you can otherwise do, but are consumable, they will make up a very small part of the item sets.
Technically, once you have X (probably 3-4) magic items you will have all the magic item bonsuses your character can have. At that point, other items can be carried around in a golf sack for utility use if you want to be the guy that does that, but then of course, you have to carry that, and you might lose those. (IE panicked is a lot worse for you if you are that guy, than if you are the guy who hoards them back home.)
Hiram McDaniels wrote:You'll have attack rolls, damage rolls and soak rolls. Do you also plan to give the sword guys multiple attacks/round?
It is very likely that people will be able to get mutliple attacks per round in lots of ways, such as haste ect. I think specifically melee warriors might end up getting more than one in some circumstances, but it won't actually be based on "not moving" and will instead be tied to something a lot more like Attacks of Opportunity. Ninja's gain an extra attack on flanked enemies. Some monsters will have "multiple attacks" basically, the ones that are best represented that way because they have to be (Dragons) not just every cat gets 2 claws a rake and a bite like 3e.
Hiram McDaniels wrote:How much do you plan on overhauling spells? Are you just changing durations to fit the Kaelin Wizard and porting over the classic spell list, or is it a fundamental rewrite? Are there still going to be components, spell levels, scaling effects, etc.?
There will have to be some amount of conversion for spells, and how much depends on the list. The Kaelik Wizard actually requires the least conversion, because it themes well with the existing spell list. Sorcerers basically get a reserve effect for every spell known, but the spells they know are mostly going to be similar for attacks (different for buffs). The contemplative is going to do the same things as the Cleric, but it has the most extensive spell list rewrite as it is entirely based around per day all day buffs that can be expended to trigger either an effect, or to be a more impressive buff, so that's going to be the most extensive spell list rewrite. The Spirit Shaman will probably need to have some spells removed or rewritten off the Druid list, but will be fine for the most part.
Hiram McDaniels wrote:I know that you're just hammering out the basics right now, but do you have a plan for how prestige classes relate to and expand upon base classes? I'm wondering specifically about the half-fiend/half-dragon. Will they be able to prestige into one class focusing on spell casting, or one focused more on face-stabbing?
Yes, the Half Fiend and Half Dragon will both be able to go in a Stabby and Casty and "Neutral" direction. Although in the Caster dragon's case, it is mostly breath weapons not casting which they get their additional castering, though they will be better casters as well than a full stabby direction.
Truthfully, each class will work differently, for example, the casty dragon is going to get entirely different abilities that the other dragons don't (or at will of what others are like once per encounter or limited per day).
On the other hand, many classes, the Contemplative, Spirit Shaman, Monk, Wizard, and Sorcerer, will have a base progression, and all prestige classes will progress that while giving other abilities. So a Vampire Sorcerer is going to get some Vampire abilities, and also have the same casting as a Sorcerer that went into Cold Mage and got Cold Mage abilities in addition to his casting.