TOPIC: What Changes To Make on Character Cards in 2016?

Lordoftherealm wrote:

Fizzikx wrote: maybe add in a spell that helps improve the spell dcs for casters in the party? A wizard equivalent to a bard song.

Perhaps you could ditch a second level spell which would allow the next spells DC to improve by 2. There used to be something like that in D&D. Don't get me wrong it would be a second level spell called "empower", not simply ditching the spell and casting another on the same round. It would be two rounds.

Problem is that currently the DC averages 13 and enemy saves average +8 meaning it's a 75% chance of save. +2 is kinda nominal at that point when it only affects 1-2 spells on the list.

Arcanist Kolixela wrote:

Lordoftherealm wrote:

Fizzikx wrote: maybe add in a spell that helps improve the spell dcs for casters in the party? A wizard equivalent to a bard song.

Perhaps you could ditch a second level spell which would allow the next spells DC to improve by 2. There used to be something like that in D&D. Don't get me wrong it would be a second level spell called "empower", not simply ditching the spell and casting another on the same round. It would be two rounds.

Problem is that currently the DC averages 13 and enemy saves average +8 meaning it's a 75% chance of save. +2 is kinda nominal at that point when it only affects 1-2 spells on the list.

How about something that negates the target's save bonus on the next spell used on the target? Make the monster roll the DC with just the D20?

The text could have a higher contrast for readability. (Think Balthasar and Garrison also said something like this)

@Matt, Raven:
I'm Down with the upside down cards with the name reprinted for DMS to see.


@Lordofttherealm:
Glow in the dark is cool. If it's cost feasible, then it might be cool to have ability checkboxes as a glow in the dark square. Once it's markered over you can't see it, otherwise it's easier to see what spells you have left.
An animal companion is cool enough just as a meat shield. The question is, is the Druid ok with the real reason they've summoned their furry friend?


I find the current health marking system cumbersome.


@Kirk:
I think a life counter wheel, while cool might not work because; It would have to big enough to be readable at a glance by the DM, It has to account for a large range of health and negative health. It could be hard on DM's to navigate two different damage recording systems. There should be only one way we record HP for all players otherwise


@Kurtreznor:
I like the barbarian 'anger throw', the taunt idea for the Fighter, and the dwarf fighter change to +5dmg against large monsters.

balthasar wrote:

Arcanist Kolixela wrote:

Lordoftherealm wrote:

Fizzikx wrote: maybe add in a spell that helps improve the spell dcs for casters in the party? A wizard equivalent to a bard song.

Perhaps you could ditch a second level spell which would allow the next spells DC to improve by 2. There used to be something like that in D&D. Don't get me wrong it would be a second level spell called "empower", not simply ditching the spell and casting another on the same round. It would be two rounds.

Problem is that currently the DC averages 13 and enemy saves average +8 meaning it's a 75% chance of save. +2 is kinda nominal at that point when it only affects 1-2 spells on the list.

How about something that negates the target's save bonus on the next spell used on the target? Make the monster roll the DC with just the D20?

That would be pretty awesome

A cantrip spell could be given to a lvl 4 and (taken away) replaced at lvl 5 thus limiting it from being broken by BIS stuff.

How about a protective shield spell for elf wizards that absorbs a set amount of push / environmental damage.. In place of invisibility?

I'm not sure how DM's are directed to handle detect magic, but it might work best if there's a premade script that they follow which gives a small (but not blatantly obvious) room clue.

General - Remove the character specific flavor text from the back of the card and insert one of the following below options: (Nothing wrong with the flavor text, but it would be better served to provide that, and more, on an 8" x 11" print out.)

a. Add ruled lines so that a player can track different modifiers and/or situation specific tokens they have in their inventory. (Yes, this can be done by the knowledgeable player on their own paper, if they know what to expect walking in the door.

b. Move all spells and/or class specific abilities to the back and place open stat boxes with descriptive text to remind the player what they can do. For example, Bonus to Heal +4, Bonus to Damage +8, Immune to Poison, Boots of Free Action, 50% magic resistance, etc..

c. Same as option "b" but put the stat boxes on the back. I would prefer "b" over "c" only because all the other stats are on the front.

d. Provide some means that the player coach can certify you have a specific token in your inventory that is not normally tracked. Either by providing peel and stick labels or by providing a stamp box the coach could stamp after the player writes in the "important" tokens. This option should help speed up the action in the rooms since players would not have to dig through tokens to find that special "I can use this token!" token...

Druid - I would prefer to keep spell surge. Spell surge has come in handy for me during the "boss" fight on EVERY occasion. Being able to double the damage of Firebolt (or call lightning) has been a life savor for the groups I have run with. My group of three is always finding ourselves with a majority of new players every year. This spell combo, when used this way, ensures the "casting" druid has some boss specific utility.

Druid 5th - I would prefer to keep polymorph damage. Even taking into account the only way to polymorph is a token (potion or coronet) this is a great benefit to the melee druid, who is stuck with one damage wheel to choose from based on the polymorph. If the bonus damage was removed then I would suggest it be replaced by at least one "free" polymorph. Damage can be determined by the weapon currently "in hand".


(Wish list)
General - Stop using cards and start using Tablets (Galaxy Tab, IPAD, etc...) Yes, this would be an expensive start up idea but, it would make everyone's life easier. The ability to sync tablets for an adventure (the DM tablet can follow the party) would fix a great majority of the player/DM issues I have read up on in these forums. Tokens could be added to the character card (similar to several of the character generator files out there now)and would correctly show the stat changes made. Character cards can still be handed out for nostalgia purposes but all tracked information would be handled by the "system".

omg +1 wishlist tablets

While tablets would be sweet, you would need 7 per dungeon for the 'live' adventurers, along with another 20 for the rooms in the inns. That gets us to 48, not counting the back ups you would need so tablets don't have to be sprinted from the epilogue room. Oh, and you would prob need a dozen or so as back ups while charging or replacing damaged/non-working units.

I am not sure that the cost could easily be justified, sadly.

I was thinking probably double that needing more like 80-100+. 10 per party adventure, one for each dm, one for each coach, then all the players building in the startup rooms will need them too. One can dream though

I'm going to say tablets just makes no sense at all. I have witnessed the way people treat their own electronic devices. I can only fathom how they would treat something that is not theirs and wouldn't have to pay to replace if they broke it by dropping/throwing/banging them.

Plus, I can imagine a minimum of 20 on average would be stolen every year by dishonest folk.

Yeah, tablets? Bad idea.


Here's an idea...

People are app crazy anymore. There is a great TD app out there as of this year made by a TD forumite. What if TD purchased/acquired the app or went in as partners and offered it for free so that everyone could use it to have their character ready to go to show the Coach to save a lot of time? The app was used by a lot of us this year and was perfect and easy to use. The Coaches just read off the player's phone/tablets and quickly transferred the info to the Party Card.

I used the app very successfully this year to set up my group of three. We were fortunate that we pretty much got the classes we wanted in our two pick up groups. Making lots of changes on the fly would have been challenging though.

The app sounds awesome. I try my hardest not to support any thing Apple though. I hope an android one gets made.