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  1. #11
    Senior Member Thomas_Percy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Raesene Andu
    Also if you are unhappy with the current magical items (or stats) of any of the NPCs, then please post alternatives.
    I will try.

    I personally agree with most of you. I like customized, personalized, original, unique magic items with a history. Like Varscona or Spiders' Bane swords from Baldur's Gate. The only drawback of such items is the fact someone must create, describe and manage it for game sessions... and this "someone" is me - DM. It takes time.

    As all of you know we are playing D&D - game balanced in such a way that mid & high level heroes are magic dependent, fighter is weaker than a wizard without magic items and so on. So I don't asked what you preffer. I asked about new rules that change Brt D&D from high/med to low magic and save the game balanced.

    Thanks for help.

  2. #12
    Birthright Developer Raesene Andu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thomas_Percy
    As all of you know we are playing D&D - game balanced in such a way that mid & high level heroes are magic dependent, fighter is weaker than a wizard without magic items and so on.
    I would dispute that claim I just ran a gaming session yesterday where a paladin with no magical items and wearing only a breastplate for armour nearly defeated a PC rogue and sorcerer with plenty of magic support, and buff spells already cast. Of course, the sorcerer is evil, so that made things easier and my lucky dice were rolling particularly well, but even so it was only meant to be a minor encounter.
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  3. #13
    Senior Member Osprey's Avatar
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    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Thomas_Percy
    As all of you know we are playing D&D - game balanced in such a way that mid & high level heroes are magic dependent, fighter is weaker than a wizard without magic items and so on.

    Raesene:
    I would dispute that claim I just ran a gaming session yesterday where a paladin with no magical items and wearing only a breastplate for armour nearly defeated a PC rogue and sorcerer with plenty of magic support, and buff spells already cast. Of course, the sorcerer is evil, so that made things easier and my lucky dice were rolling particularly well, but even so it was only meant to be a minor encounter.
    In general, it's no problem to balance PC vs. NPC regardless of the magic level in the game, as equipment and spells can always be tailored. It's higher-CR monsters that must be tweaked to maintain balance in the upper levels.

  4. #14
    Senior Member Thomas_Percy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Osprey
    In general, it's no problem to balance PC vs. NPC regardless of the magic level in the game, as equipment and spells can always be tailored.
    1. It's not a problem for you or me, because we played D&D long years.
    2. It's not a problem for you or me, because we are Birthright fans only. It's a problem of Brt developers to create rules that change d20 system to low-magic (do sth. with DR for example).

    Maybe magic items that can be used only by particular creature or items with drawbacks are the answer to the question "how to give power to NPCs but don't make your campaing Monty Haul?"
    Last edited by Thomas_Percy; 10-10-2005 at 12:15 PM.

  5. #15
    Birthright Developer irdeggman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thomas_Percy
    1. It's not a problem for you or me, because we played D&D long years.
    2. It's not a problem for you or me, because we are Birthright fans only. It's a problem of Brt developers to create rules that change d20 system to low-magic (do sth. with DR for example).

    Maybe magic items that can be used only by particular creature or items with drawbacks are the answer to the question "how to give power to NPCs but don't make your campaing Monty Haul?"
    Well since the DR rules have changed substantially to make it simpler and function more by material type than the (+s) of weapons - i.e., DR x/magic means that any magic weapon bypasses the DR it is not as bad as it would on the surface appear.

    Regardless as to what is placed into the rules (and atlas) it will remain with the DM to ensure that the encounter being developed is "appropriate". That has always been and will always be the toughest thing to do.

    Note that Complete Warrior inserted an option for reducing magic in a campaign.
    Duane Eggert

  6. #16
    I don't know if I'd call BR a low-magic campaign.. Maybe a rare(ish) magic campaign. But not "I CAN DESTROY YOUR ARMIES WITH A LITTLE PREP AND A PILE OF GOLD - MASS DESTRUCTION BOOM" low magic.

    Oh there I go again reading the first few posts and then having to chime in.

    I apologize.
    Last edited by fiftyone; 10-12-2005 at 01:35 AM.
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  7. #17
    In regard to to the magic items for the NPC writeups, might I suggest doubling the bonus on some of the items. In 2nd edition a +4 sword was a +4 sword and the 'weapon property' option didn't really exist, as far as I know.

    Take Boeruine for example. In 2nd edition he had a +4 Bastard Sword and a suit of +4 Field Plate. He also isn't listed with a shield so you might assume he uses the Bastard Sword in the two-handed fashion. To make up for a lack of shield, maybe the Sword has the 'Defending' property. Work with it a bit, think of something interesting and sensible. How about Thundering aswell? That would make quite an impact on the battlefield. I think his armor with the 'Invulnerability' or one of the 'Spell Resistance' properties would be suitable. Meanwhile keep both items at +4. That may seem too powerful, but given the value of the items it would take half or more of Boeruine's entire treasury to make, past, present or future.

    For Rhoubhe, might I recommend making his armor a mithril Breastplate?
    Last edited by fiftyone; 10-12-2005 at 07:46 PM.
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  8. #18
    Also to solve the problem of other treasures he would have, you could just say

    "Triple standard plus yadda (the equipment already listed) yadda"

    Or some such.
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  9. #19
    Birthright Developer Raesene Andu's Avatar
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    One thing to mention is that it is possible that all the named magical items (especially those in the hands of NPCs) will get a more verbose explaination in the Atlas and it is possible that the items will be updated then.

    On the matter of the NPC stats themselves though, everyone is happy with them? If so then I can move those descriptions into the completed part of the Atlas. I will post more NPCs to discuss as they are completed (I have 2 more that could be posted already).
    Let me claim your Birthright!!

  10. #20
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    (I have 2 more that could be posted already).
    Bring 'em on

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