,
10 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
This really, really, really helps crystalize for me just how good and elegant the design ethos of D&D 5E is, with regards to math and modifiers.
Like, I look at that mess and I see what they're trying to do! Get the math down on the page, so you have the Final Number to refer to but you can also see everything that goes into it, in case one of those things changes.
If it were a computer program it would be great.
If it were a computer program it would be great.
I have to say, the BEST thing it does is put the ability modifiers FIRST and put a huge space between them and the scores.
The D&D derivative that ditches scores... that will be the next big leap. They are an appendix. A vestigial tail.
The D&D derivative that ditches scores... that will be the next big leap. They are an appendix. A vestigial tail.
The very very few things in the game that refer to raw ability score instead of ability modifier aren't worth the mental load in getting new players up to speed of having to tell them to ignore the big number we spent time determining and just give me the little number inset.
Strength +3. Dexterity +2. That's all you need. Keep the mod, ditch the score. The whole 1 to 20 scale is a vestige of rolling 3d6 to get a bell curve.
Full agree! And a bonus (or penalty) is more evocative than a range of numbers usually in the teens. "Strength +1" means more than "Strength: 13" to someone who doesn't know the scale.
Another thing about the Pathfinder 2E character sheet - my first draft of a DND-like after 4E incorporated the idea of discrete levels of skill (trained, proficient, expert, master, I think... and possibly with "familiar" as one level below trained)...
...and every once in a while when I work with mixing my ideas with 5E, I think about codifying "expert" (which currently is an informal skill level, supported by a handful of class features) and the half proficiency level referenced by a few other features...
But after looking at PF2, I think 4E and 5E really struck gold with a binary skilled/unskilled distinction and a sort of informal level of expert above that. I think that is the right level of complexity for fantasy adventure tales using the abstraction of a d20 system.
I don't mean to bag on this game, I'm sure it's perfectly playable and as someone who tends towards intricacy, I even get the appeal.
But in terms of useability, learnability, readability... I keep looking at is as a cautionary tale for my own worst excesses of complexity.
But in terms of useability, learnability, readability... I keep looking at is as a cautionary tale for my own worst excesses of complexity.
