Saving Throw Fix

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ZER0
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Saving Throw Fix

Post by ZER0 »

So I'm working up a campaign, and most of my players aren't going to be multi-classing. So I'm looking for a way to make saving throws more functional with only single classes, as well as a way to make sure it's not impeded in multi-classing for the... two or three players who are going to be taking a PrC.

So, here's my thoughts on saving throws.

Good - Equal to your level.
Bad - Equal to 1/2 your level (rounded down).

Pretty much, the same as good and bad BAB. It's certainly not too little, but it could well be too much. Ideas?
Absentminded_Wizard wrote:
4e PHB, p. 57 under "Target" (bolding mine) wrote:When a power’s target entry specifies that it affects you and one or more of your allies, then you can take advantage of the power’s effect along with your team-mates. Otherwise, “ally” or “allies” does not include you, and both terms assume willing targets. “Enemy” or “enemies” means a creature or creatures that aren’t your allies (whether those creatures are hostile toward you or not). “Creature” or “creatures” means allies and enemies both, as well as you.
Yes, according to 4e RAW, you are your own enemy.
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Maxus
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Post by Maxus »

Races of War suggested that:

If you already have a good save in a category, and you take a class with that good Save, you get +1 instead of +2.

Working on a build, I also came up with a save rule that boils down to, "If you've had the same value for a save for two character levels, you advance on the third level, no matter what."
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Bigode
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Post by Bigode »

0: what exactly do you wanna change for single-classers? And, are you using equipment (either official or BoG) as-is?

Maxus: the first's admitted by F&K to be worse than properly used fractional scheming. So, I ask, why not ditch both rules and just use fractional? Here, I'm talking to an actual single person that looks able to use a calculator, if that even happens to be needed ....
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Post by TarkisFlux »

I ran a similar thought past people a while ago (see here if you're interested).

Equal to your level is probably too good since it outpaces DC growth (which is generally about 3/4 after accounting for stat boosts). For a really low level game it's probably fine though, since it won't grow enough to be a problem. Mid - high level characters with item bonuses will pretty much laugh when asked to make a save against their good stat though.

Really, unless you're planning on tweaking available bonuses (spells and items and stat boosts), you probably don't need to adjust base saves for anyone. You do need to understand that the system is based around access to boosters though, and that base saves on their own are insufficient. Boosters or mechanics tweaks, take your pick.
Last edited by TarkisFlux on Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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ZER0
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Post by ZER0 »

It's a good point. I always forget to record the bonuses granted by magical items. I guess the fix isn't really necessary, though the RoW note is certainly useful.
Absentminded_Wizard wrote:
4e PHB, p. 57 under "Target" (bolding mine) wrote:When a power’s target entry specifies that it affects you and one or more of your allies, then you can take advantage of the power’s effect along with your team-mates. Otherwise, “ally” or “allies” does not include you, and both terms assume willing targets. “Enemy” or “enemies” means a creature or creatures that aren’t your allies (whether those creatures are hostile toward you or not). “Creature” or “creatures” means allies and enemies both, as well as you.
Yes, according to 4e RAW, you are your own enemy.
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Post by Username17 »

Bigode wrote:So, I ask, why not ditch both rules and just use fractional?
Because in my experience, people can't actually do fractional.

-Username17
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Post by Bigode »

FrankTrollman wrote:
Bigode wrote:So, I ask, why not ditch both rules and just use fractional?
Because in my experience, people can't actually do fractional.
I got that from RoW, sure - in fact, that people in general fail to manage fractions mentally's well-known to me too. I was asking Maxus on the assumption that ... using a calculator wouldn't be too hard for someone deserving to live (people with extremely crappy motor ability excluded).
Hans Freyer, s.b.u.h. wrote:A manly, a bold tone prevails in history. He who has the grip has the booty.
Huston Smith wrote:Life gives us no view of the whole. We see only snatches here and there, (...)
brotherfrancis75 wrote:Perhaps you imagine that Ayn Rand is our friend? And the Mont Pelerin Society? No, those are but the more subtle versions of the Bolshevik Communist Revolution you imagine you reject. (...) FOX NEWS IS ALSO COMMUNIST!
LDSChristian wrote:True. I do wonder which is worse: killing so many people like Hitler did or denying Christ 3 times like Peter did.
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Post by MfA »

FrankTrollman wrote:
Bigode wrote:So, I ask, why not ditch both rules and just use fractional?
Because in my experience, people can't actually do fractional.
Presumably people can do table lookups though?

If you just add a couple of boxes to the character sheets to record the number of levels with good/medium/bad BAB/saves and make a hand out with the 2 necessary 2D tables and the players would have to be exceptionally stupid not to manage. Only table lookup and integer addition skills necessary.
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Post by JonSetanta »

FrankTrollman wrote: Because in my experience, people can't actually do fractional.

-Username17
Yes good sir it does indeed suck.

ZERO, use 4e saves. Made my d20 life easier...

Everyone gets +1/2 level, round down, to all saves.
Classes add 1, maybe 2, +2 typed bonuses (Class bonus?) to specific saves.
Grabbing more classes means more variety, but there's only 3 saves, so... yeah.
Or you could just give everyone +2 and +1/2 level to all saves and say "screw you" to class specialties.
Last edited by JonSetanta on Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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