Save or Die Podcast Adventure #35: Which Edition to use?
Today we talk about which edition of classic D&D is for you. Giving pointers and share our thoughts on which one you should start with. The decisions expressed in the podcasts for whatever edition is not set in stone, we only gave you our thoughts and ideas, if for some reason you think going with XX edition its all good. Then the crew chats it up about Saving throws and how they work them. Glen’s favorite creature shows up, the owl bear, as we run away to do a review of Dungeons magazine 1.
Podcast: Download
Subscribe: RSS
Interesting topic on saves. I don’t mind the save or die approach here’s how I explain it to my group:
The important thing to remember about saving throws is what they represent. Many games have things like hero points, fate points, etc.. The saving throw is meant to emulate that. Look at it from this perspective the reason for save or die is that you’re basically already dead. The saving throw represents your second shot, that last ditch effort to save yourself from certain death or serious injury.
So just like in the movies when the hero defies the laws of physics to dodge that fiery explosion or falls off a cliff and manages to grab on to a hand hold, this is what the saving throw represents.
NPC’s don’t get this benefit, the average person is laid to waste when the evil sorcerer throws his fireball, but you on the other hand you jump out of the way, hit the ground pressing yourself against the ground as hard as you can and yes you come out partially burned while the villager you were just talking to is nothing more than a pile
of ash and smoking boots.
This is why D&D has no fate points the saving throw is the “fate point” and as you progress in level fate smiles upon you giving you more favor.
Sorry for the long windedness on that. On your earlier topic about how Gary meant for the original way for the game to be played. I always roll damage for my players when they hit. I started playing that way because when I first started I thought it was supposed to be done that way. And I still do players shouldn’t be number crunching the dmaage in my opinion. They tell how wounded something is by DM description.
Owlbear? Stat-wise, it is nothing more than a weird-looking bear with slightly different numbers from those of a grizzly bear. In my setting, such bizarre mash-up monsters are considered natural creatures. Heraldic creatures like griffons or hippogriffs are not considered “magical” because they have no abilities or traits beyond the animals they are made from. And, no, the chimera still counts as magical for me since the dragon is not a mundane animal.
I agree that an owlbear should have some owl traits, such as superior nightvision, and perhaps even the ability to turn its head all the way around to limit the chance of surprise or backstab. What is the point of giving the thing owl parts if it is still essentially a weird-looking bear?