Prowess AC is an idea that I think would serve any sword and sorcery campaign well. If you're doing a high magic game, probably not so much. I'd also strongly encourage allowing PCs to improve their ability scores over time and/or having a more generous stat generation method than 3d6.
For those who might complain that this is unrealistic because of real world combat, all I can say is keep doing you and I'll keep doing me. Peace out.
But seriously, feedback is always appreciated on these little house rules as I don't always have the opportunity to test them out.
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If the goal is to de-incentivize armor, I wonder if the character should choose between Prowess AC and regular AC instead of letting them stack.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's one way to swing it. I don't know if I wrote it up on the blog or not but one idea was to let the AC rating of the armor take over when you surpass your prowess AC. My only problem with that is that it means there's no effect for carrying a shield or wearing leather if you have good stats. Which kinda bugs me.
DeleteThank you for not offering to do me
ReplyDeleteVery cool rule for Sword & Sorcery gameplay but i will prefer CON/DEX or WIS/DEX instead of FOR/DEX
ReplyDeleteSure, I think you could rationalize almost any of the stats if you want to. A gaming friend of mine argued for Con/Dex as well. I wasn't terribly opposed to the idea.
DeleteI like this a lot. When I did my BX barbarian, I went with damage reduction, but if I were to redo it, I would probably go the improved AC route as well. I had been thinking that unarmored may get their STR, CON, and DEX bonuses in AC, Leather and chain, only get DEX bonus, and plate get none at all. Here is my old version if you're interested: https://jrl755.blogspot.com/2013/02/bx-barbarians.html
ReplyDeleteThat's a good write up. I like that you did a unique saving throw progression, something I should do more often! And the fact that barbarians get to use chain mail at level 6 resonates with my memories of Conan comics and certainly the movie Conan. He starts with nothing and has to find/steal/earn his way.
DeleteThanks! You've inspired me to make some tweaks to my version, I think.
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