Another 4th level special ability idea

Summary:

Will this guy ever just *pick* one, already??

Another 4th level special ability idea

CaptainContrary 08 Aug 2012 15:07

So, Roland's ordeal in the Ouestmarche got me thinking about things, particularly a short conversation I had gotten into with naraoia about Roland's close shaves. Roland, in case no one has noticed, has escaped from death by the skin of his teeth a number of times. He's been taken to negative hp totals fighting (off the top of my head) Miranda d'Ambreville, ogres, owlbears, troglodytes, and now evil cultists. That's a lot. It seems to me he's one lucky son of a bitch.

So, my newest idea is this: Lucky Son of a Bitch — Roland is able to request a number of re-rolls during a session equal to half his level rounded up (he even gets lucky on the rounding).

Re: Another 4th level special ability idea

Quendalon 08 Aug 2012 15:30

Nothing wrong with this in principle; it's just the details we need to hammer out. What can be re-rolled for purposes of this ability?

Re: Another 4th level special ability idea

Charlatan 08 Aug 2012 15:39

A couple of related blogposts, in the context of D&DNext's advantage/disadvantage mechanic:
http://rolesrules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/d-next-disadvantage.html
http://muleabides.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/the-value-of-a-rerolled-die/#comments (the comments are where things are interesting)

edit: that first link is from the fellow visiting NYC this weekend.

Last edited on 08 Aug 2012 15:40 by Charlatan Show more

Re: Another 4th level special ability idea

CaptainContrary 08 Aug 2012 16:27

Thanks for the math, Charlatan! Somehow, it makes me like the whole concept even better, and makes me optimistic for D&D Next, as the advantage/disadvantage rule seems elegant and effective.

As to the details of Lucky SOB, it would make the most sense if the rolls were those dealing specifically with Roland (no re-rolling Cut Coutelain's to-hits). I was thinking to hits, damage, and saving throws made by Roland, as well as to hits and damage directed at Roland. Additionally, saving throws incurred by something Roland did, for instance if he had a magic item that cast 'Charm', he could ask for for a re-roll on that save. Lastly, he could request a re-roll on AOE damage, but it would only count against damage received by him, not damage incurred to other characters. Hit points gained through levelling or healing would be unaffected, as that's the domain of Lust For Life.

Reading Charlatan's link about the D&D Next advantage/disadvantage system, I'd prefer if this ability worked like that (the better/worse of two rolls) — it doesn't seem very lucky to have a monster go from a '19' to hit, only then to roll a critical (20), or to have a Fireball cause 15 damage to everyone else, then have he re-roll incur 25 to Roland.

Re: Another 4th level special ability idea

Quendalon 08 Aug 2012 17:24

I'd rule against forcing opponents to re-roll saves, as it's both against the spirit of the ability's description and is likely to deform play (i.e. suddenly Roland has reason to start poisoning his blades / acquire some sort of fireball device / etc. in order to take advantage).

Last edited on 08 Aug 2012 17:24 by Quendalon Show more

Re: Another 4th level special ability idea

OtspIII 08 Aug 2012 18:46

I agree with the no-offensive-save-mods thing, since feats and things that make saves near impossible to resist are one of the big things that break 3e in my experience, but the rest of this sounds super cool.

Last edited on 08 Aug 2012 18:46 by OtspIII Show more

Re: Another 4th level special ability idea

CaptainContrary 08 Aug 2012 19:39

Sounds fair and good!

Re: Another 4th level special ability idea

Quendalon 08 Aug 2012 19:49

OK, let's stick with 'to hit', damage and saving throw rolls, as well as Constitution checks if and when they arise; these look to be the boundaries of what fits under the ability description. Roll twice and take the better result. Usable a number of times per session equal to half Roland's level, rounded up. If for some reason you need to make such rolls during downtime, they count against the next session you attend.