TOPIC: True Grind 2014 Update #3: Environment

This is the third (and final) of several Grind updates, in preparation for GenCon.

The Grind Environment Effects/Rules document is now ready for viewing or download. Special thanks to Druegar for his help in creating the document. Since the forum doesn't have a good way of including attachments, I created a Box account to host the appropriate files:

app.box.com/s/5m6c7cfhshx5mtl7x3qs


This document includes details on how sun exposure / fatigue will be handled, as well as possible effects during sandstorms.

Also, as always, we reserve the right to utilize appropriate environmental rules from past years (all of which are included in the document, for reference).

Finally, we also recommend players review the Condition Summary (also found In the DMG), which is included at the end of this document.

Feel free to post any questions you might have. Thanks and have a wonderful time at GenCon and at True Grind!

It's unfortunate that the Flask of Survival says protects against natural Cold & Fire instead of Cold & Heat.

One would have thought the Flask was made just for such a circumstance.

cdsmith wrote: It's unfortunate that the Flask of Survival says protects against natural Cold & Fire instead of Cold & Heat.

One would have thought the Flask was made just for such a circumstance.

I treat the Flask of Survival as equivalent to a Scroll/Potion of Endure Elements (but with 3 charges).

So yes, the Flask of Survival can be helpful against Sun Exposure / Fatigue or from the physical damage of a sandstorm.

Personally, I think it is a case of being too specific with the text of a token and then getting locked into that description.

Damnit time to rebuild my grind characters.

jedibcg wrote: Damnit time to rebuild my grind characters.

Sorry!

....

(Not really!)

Apologies for not getting this out earlier. That was the intention but things never work out the way one plans!


1. The environment effects can be annoying, but they are not intended to be so debilitating that you are screwed if you don't have the right token. Players have to make a careful decision of whether or not to adapt to the environmental rules. And players can still succeed even if they do not prepare for the environment. (So changing your build may be helpful but is not strictly necessary).

2. Hopefully this now better explains the Amulet of Wonder effect and why its adaptive nature may be useful.

3. FYI: The Grind adventure is designed to balance melee and ranged weapons (each has its advantages and disadvantages). The sandstorm rules may hinder ranged weapons but that is mainly there because there are other effects that will hinder melee weapons. So choose your poison!

Version 1.1 is uploaded (same link still works).

No content changes. The new version simply has embedded font, so it is all aesthetic.

Does protection from melee or range damage help against that sandstorm?

And what about that Barb5's DR against everything but Eldritch; presumably that protects from sun/fatigue damage and sandstorm damage, but want to get that in typing. (not that I ever play Barb)

Two things:
Supreme Ring of Elemental Command effects?

And, are you physically taking the non-consumable gear tokens or just removing them from play?

Xavon wrote: Does protection from melee or range damage help against that sandstorm?

No. Protection from melee damage (e.g. Ioun Stone Ruby Prism) and protection from ranged damage (e.g. Ioun Stone Faceted Amber or Gloves of Deflection) will not help against sandstorm damage.

And what about that Barb5's DR against everything but Eldritch; presumably that protects from sun/fatigue damage and sandstorm damage, but want to get that in typing. (not that I ever play Barb)

Yes, the 5th level Barbarian's damage reduction will provide 1 point of protection from sun/fatigue damage and 1 point of protection from sandstorm damage.

EN 429 wrote: Two things:
Supreme Ring of Elemental Command effects?

Not quite sure what you mean by that question.

The Supreme Ring of Elemental Command protects against fire, but will not help against sun exposure / fatigue. Nor sandstorms.

However, it is still a very useful token (plus part of the Eldritch set).

And, are you physically taking the non-consumable gear tokens or just removing them from play?

If you want to use a Waterskin, Crystal Vial, Steel Flask, or Tankard to prevent exposure/fatigue damage, then they are consumed (turned in permanently).

Essentially, I am allowing those Gear tokens to be used as Common 1-point healing potions for the purposes of sun/fatigue damage.

So suppose you take 1 point of exposure/sun damage, consuming (turning in) any of these would be equivalent:

- Potion of Cure Minor Wounds (and similar 1-point heals)
- Scroll or Potion of Endure Elements
- One charge of a Flask of Survival
- Waterskin / Crystal Vial / Steel Flask / Tankard

If some tokens that provide benefit against falling from heights are useful in this environment, what about cloak of gliding and ring of feather fall?