Epic 6 - Revision history

Hurlbut: /* On Allowing Feats */

Hurlbut — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:15:14 GMT

On Allowing Feats

Plugsy at 17:44, 26 September 2009

Plugsy — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:44:12 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 17:44, 26 September 2009
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	[[Category:3.5e]]		[[Category:3.5e]]
	[[Category:For Players]]		[[Category:For Players]]
		+	[[Category:E6]]

Nikolai: /* Extra Feats */

Nikolai — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:16:34 GMT

Extra Feats

←Older revision		Revision as of 05:16, 31 July 2009
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	Extra feats are shown on the [[Epic 6/Character Creation]] subpage. There are a wide variety of extra feats, including emulation of some prestige classes, and higher abilities. As a DM you should look through these and decide which ones you want to use.		Extra feats are shown on the [[Epic 6/Character Creation]] subpage. There are a wide variety of extra feats, including emulation of some prestige classes, and higher abilities. As a DM you should look through these and decide which ones you want to use.
-
-

	===The E6 FAQ===		===The E6 FAQ===

Nikolai: /* Extra Feats for Ability Advancement */

Nikolai — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:16:24 GMT

Extra Feats for Ability Advancement

←Older revision		Revision as of 05:16, 31 July 2009
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	Extra feats are shown on the [[Epic 6/Character Creation]] subpage. There are a wide variety of extra feats, including emulation of some prestige classes, and higher abilities. As a DM you should look through these and decide which ones you want to use.		Extra feats are shown on the [[Epic 6/Character Creation]] subpage. There are a wide variety of extra feats, including emulation of some prestige classes, and higher abilities. As a DM you should look through these and decide which ones you want to use.

-	~~===Extra Feats for Ability Advancement===~~
-
-	~~If you want your characters to be able to improve their abilities slightly above their natural aptitudes, then you can use the following:~~
-
-
-	~~Ability Training~~
-	~~You spend time honing one of your Abilities: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.~~
-	~~Benefit: Choose one Ability; you qualify for the Ability Advancement feat for that Ability.~~
-	~~Special: You can gain this feat multiple times, its effects do not stack. Each time you take this feat it applies to another ability.~~
-
-	~~Ability Advancement~~
-	~~Your training pays off, and one of your Abilities increases.~~
-	~~Benefit: Choose one Ability. You gain a permanent +2 bonus to that ability.~~
-	~~Special: You can gain this feat multiple times, its effects do not stack. Each time you take this feat it applies to another ability.~~

Nikolai: /* Extra Feats */

Nikolai — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:15:45 GMT

Extra Feats

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	===Extra Feats===		===Extra Feats===

-	~~I consider these~~ feats ~~to be necessary even with~~ the ~~Cautious Approach; along with the SRD feats, they provide for a minimal level of continuing advancement for E6 characters, and address issues like removing negative levels.~~	+	Extra feats are shown on the [[Epic 6/Character Creation]] subpage. There are a wide variety of extra feats, including emulation of some prestige classes, and higher abilities. As a DM you should look through these and decide which ones you want to use.
-		+
-		+
-		+
-	~~Expanded Spell Knowledge~~	+
-	You learn new spell(s) whose level equals half your caster level (round down, and treat a new 0th-level spell as ½). Thus, a sixth level Sorcerer could learn one 3rd level spell, one 1st and one 2nd level spells, three 1st level spells, or 6 ~~0th-level spells.~~	+
-		+
-	~~Expanded Spell Knowledge [General~~]	+
-	~~Benefit: You learn 1 or more new spells known, with spell levels totalling to half of your caster level (round down, and treat a new 0th-level slot as ½)~~. ~~Thus,~~ a ~~sixth level Sorcerer could gain one 3rd level spell known, one 1st and one 2nd level spell, three 1st level spells, or 6 0th-level spells. This feat cannot provide spells known~~ of ~~a level higher than you can already cast.~~	+
-	~~Special: You may take this feat multiple times; each time you take it it provides more slots.~~	+
-		+
-	~~Expanded Caster Stamina [General]~~	+
-	~~Prerequisite: Character Level 6th~~	+
-	~~Benefit: You gain 1 or more new spell slots~~, ~~with spell levels totalling to half~~ of ~~your caster level. Treat 0th level spells as ½. Thus, a sixth level Wizard could gain one 3rd level slot~~, ~~one 1st~~ and ~~one 2nd level slot, three 1st level slots, or 6 0th-level slots. This feat cannot provide spell slots~~ higher ~~than you can already cast~~.	+
-	~~Special: You may take this feat multiple times; each time~~ you ~~take it it provides more slots.~~	+
-		+
-		+
-	~~Restoration~~	+
-	~~Prerequisites: 6th level, ability~~ to ~~cast 3rd-level divine spells, Wisdom 18, Healing 9 Ranks~~	+
-	~~Benefit: You can~~ use ~~Restoration, as the spell (paying the material component), with a casting time of 1 hour.~~	+
-		+
-	~~Stone to Flesh~~	+
-	~~Prerequisites: 6th level, ability to cast 3rd-level arcane spells, Intelligence 18, Craft (Alchemy) 9 Ranks~~	+
-	~~Benefit: You can use stone to flesh, as the spell, with an expensive and secret magical ingredient with a market value of 1000 gp and a casting time of 1 day.~~	+
-		+
-	~~Wondrous Rings~~	+
-	~~Prerequisites: 6th level, Craft Wondrous Item~~	+
-	~~Benefit: You treat rings as wondrous items for the purpose of meeting item creation prerequisites. You must still meet caster level requirements for any ring you create~~.	+
-		+

	===Extra Feats for Ability Advancement===		===Extra Feats for Ability Advancement===

Nikolai at 05:09, 31 July 2009

Nikolai — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:09:09 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 05:09, 31 July 2009
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	\| __TOC__		\| __TOC__
	\|}		\|}
-	Also See: ~~-->~~ [[Epic 6/Character Creation]]	+	Also See: → [[Epic 6/Character Creation]]
	===What is E6?===		===What is E6?===

Nikolai at 05:08, 31 July 2009

Nikolai — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:08:09 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 05:08, 31 July 2009
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		+	{\| align=right
		+	\| __TOC__
		+	\|}
		+	Also See: --> [[Epic 6/Character Creation]]
	===What is E6?===		===What is E6?===

InaVegt: /* Using E6 */

InaVegt — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:25:40 GMT

Using E6

Nikolai at 23:49, 19 March 2009

Nikolai — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:49:36 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 23:49, 19 March 2009
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	Q: I like high-magic, high-powered campaigns. Is E6 for me?		Q: I like high-magic, high-powered campaigns. Is E6 for me?
	A: Probably not. Just as D&D can’t be all things to all groups, E6 caters to a specific set of tastes.		A: Probably not. Just as D&D can’t be all things to all groups, E6 caters to a specific set of tastes.
		+	----
		+	<br>
		+	{{3.5e Breadcrumb}}
		+	[[Category:DnD]]
		+	[[Category:3.5e]]
		+	[[Category:For Players]]

Nikolai at 22:20, 18 March 2009

Nikolai — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:20:00 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 18 March 2009
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	Earlier this year Ryan Dancey suggested that D&D has four distinct quartiles of play:		Earlier this year Ryan Dancey suggested that D&D has four distinct quartiles of play:

-	Levels 1-5: Gritty fantasy	+	Levels 1-5: Gritty fantasy<br>
-	Levels 6-10: Heroic fantasy	+	Levels 6-10: Heroic fantasy<br>
-	Levels 11-15: Wuxia	+	Levels 11-15: Wuxia<br>
-	Levels 16-20: Superheroes	+	Levels 16-20: Superheroes<br>

-	There’s been some great discussion about how to define those quartiles, and how each different quartile suited some groups better than others.	+	There’s been some great discussion about how to define those quartiles, and how each different quartile suited some groups better than others.<br>

	E6 is a game about those first 2 quartiles, and as a result, it has fewer rules, a low-magic flavor, and it is quick and easy to prepare. I have playtested the system extensively with my crew, and it works as intended. There seems to be a lot of lively debate about E6, and some real interest in how it works, so I've revised it here.		E6 is a game about those first 2 quartiles, and as a result, it has fewer rules, a low-magic flavor, and it is quick and easy to prepare. I have playtested the system extensively with my crew, and it works as intended. There seems to be a lot of lively debate about E6, and some real interest in how it works, so I've revised it here.

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:15, 15 July 2010
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	The Lean Upward Approach looks at the Gestalt Approach and says “6th level plus many feats is clearly more powerful than 6th level. Thus, it won’t be game-breaking to allow feat chains that bring characters from 6th level to 8th level, although this progression should be quite slow.” GMs who like the Lean Upward approach might have feats to bring BAB to +8, or to gain 4th level spells, or 8th level class features, additional hit dice, and so on.		The Lean Upward Approach looks at the Gestalt Approach and says “6th level plus many feats is clearly more powerful than 6th level. Thus, it won’t be game-breaking to allow feat chains that bring characters from 6th level to 8th level, although this progression should be quite slow.” GMs who like the Lean Upward approach might have feats to bring BAB to +8, or to gain 4th level spells, or 8th level class features, additional hit dice, and so on.

		+	==Key Points of Epic 6==
	1. Very fast play at every level of the campaign.		1. Very fast play at every level of the campaign.
		+
	2. Focus on planning, not levelling. To defeat the black dragon Zolanderos, the CR 10 terror of Staunwark Island, the heroes will need help, special resources, and information. I want to further encourage party-directed adventuring, and if the heroes want to take on something 4 to 6 CR above them, then that's what they will require.		2. Focus on planning, not levelling. To defeat the black dragon Zolanderos, the CR 10 terror of Staunwark Island, the heroes will need help, special resources, and information. I want to further encourage party-directed adventuring, and if the heroes want to take on something 4 to 6 CR above them, then that's what they will require.
		+
	3. A low magic game that everyone knows how to play.		3. A low magic game that everyone knows how to play.
		+
	4. Never a need for meaningless encounters. The players can be involved in a dozen or so major combat scenarios (perhaps more than one encounter each) and have proven themselves and made a major accomplishment. See Lord of the Rings movies, or most fantasy novels.		4. Never a need for meaningless encounters. The players can be involved in a dozen or so major combat scenarios (perhaps more than one encounter each) and have proven themselves and made a major accomplishment. See Lord of the Rings movies, or most fantasy novels.
		+
	5. Classic monsters stay classic throughout the campaign; Chimeras and Aboleths start scary, and stay scary. Dragons are always exciting encounters.		5. Classic monsters stay classic throughout the campaign; Chimeras and Aboleths start scary, and stay scary. Dragons are always exciting encounters.
		+
	6. Even legendary heroes remain mortal; while a 6th level fighter who has taken toughness several times can take on a good mob, he isn't invulnerable. The sorcerer's 6d6 fireballs are phenomenal, but not so powerful that he can destroy a village and not fear retaliation.		6. Even legendary heroes remain mortal; while a 6th level fighter who has taken toughness several times can take on a good mob, he isn't invulnerable. The sorcerer's 6d6 fireballs are phenomenal, but not so powerful that he can destroy a village and not fear retaliation.
		+
	7. Quicker prep. Make a 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th version of a sorcerer, and now you have a whole sorcerous dragon-cult that can last you through your whole campaign.		7. Quicker prep. Make a 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th version of a sorcerer, and now you have a whole sorcerous dragon-cult that can last you through your whole campaign.
		+
	8. You can put what you've learned of the rules to good use. It's hard to know every 4th through 9th level spell out there; they're the ones we see the least. But we've seen 0th through 3rd level spells many, many times, and mastery over them is relatively simple.		8. You can put what you've learned of the rules to good use. It's hard to know every 4th through 9th level spell out there; they're the ones we see the least. But we've seen 0th through 3rd level spells many, many times, and mastery over them is relatively simple.
-	~~9. E6 is a great system for on the fly GMing. If you’re reasonably familiar with what a 2nd level threat looks like, power-wise, you can probably get away with running it without stats handy.~~

		+	9. E6 is a great system for on the fly GMing. If you’re reasonably familiar with what a 2nd level threat looks like, power-wise, you can probably get away with running it without stats handy.

	===Extra Feats===		===Extra Feats===

←Older revision		Revision as of 12:25, 22 March 2009
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	====Using E6====		====Using E6====

-	Q: So characters just stop levelling at 6?	+	'''Q:''' So characters just stop levelling at 6?<br />
-	A: That’s right. Characters who have reached level 6 have proven themselves, but this extremely rapid growth does not go on forever. Instead, they master specialized techniques, or become more versatile. This stage of a character’s development is represented by gaining new feats.	+	'''A:''' That’s right. Characters who have reached level 6 have proven themselves, but this extremely rapid growth does not go on forever. Instead, they master specialized techniques, or become more versatile. This stage of a character’s development is represented by gaining new feats.

-	Q: Does E6 change the stacking rules? For example, can I take Weapon Focus twice and have it stack? Can I take Skill Focus twice and have it stack?	+	'''Q:''' Does E6 change the stacking rules? For example, can I take Weapon Focus twice and have it stack? Can I take Skill Focus twice and have it stack?<br />
-	A: The stacking rules remain the same as in standard D&D.	+	'''A:''' The stacking rules remain the same as in standard D&D.

-	Q: What if I want there to be a higher level magical effect, but still use E6?	+	'''Q:''' What if I want there to be a higher level magical effect, but still use E6?<br />
-	The rules for rituals in Unearthed Arcana are an excellent fit for E6, to support things like opening portals to another dimension, higher-level divinations, and so on. When a spell is a 3-day event requiring 20 mages, it’s more of a plot point than a spell itself, and that maeks it a great a springboard for challenging the players.	+	'''A:'''The rules for rituals in Unearthed Arcana are an excellent fit for E6, to support things like opening portals to another dimension, higher-level divinations, and so on. When a spell is a 3-day event requiring 20 mages, it’s more of a plot point than a spell itself, and that maeks it a great a springboard for challenging the players.

-	Q: As a DM, I like running things on the fly. Can E6 support that kind of play?	+	'''Q:''' As a DM, I like running things on the fly. Can E6 support that kind of play?<br />
-	A: Absolutely. A DM that knows how to estimate the abilities of enemies in the low-level range can use that knowledge throughout the campaign. Likewise, familiarity breeds mastery – and for feats, spells, and monsters, there is more chance for a DM to become familiar with abilities in an appropriate range to the PCs, even if he is using a diverse selection of monsters. Furthermore, Dungeon Masters can get much more mileage out of their previous work: The stats of a 5th-level sorcerer written for 4th level PCs is still a useful tool months of gametime later against characters who are 6th level +10 feats.	+	'''A:''' Absolutely. A DM that knows how to estimate the abilities of enemies in the low-level range can use that knowledge throughout the campaign. Likewise, familiarity breeds mastery – and for feats, spells, and monsters, there is more chance for a DM to become familiar with abilities in an appropriate range to the PCs, even if he is using a diverse selection of monsters. Furthermore, Dungeon Masters can get much more mileage out of their previous work: The stats of a 5th-level sorcerer written for 4th level PCs is still a useful tool months of gametime later against characters who are 6th level +10 feats.

-	Q: Can you make high-level items as a low-level caster in E6?	+	'''Q:''' Can you make high-level items as a low-level caster in E6?<br />
-	A: No, caster level requirements for magic items are treated as hard requirements.	+	'''A:''' No, caster level requirements for magic items are treated as hard requirements.

-	Q: If a character took multiple classes, or Prestige Classes, suddenly you've got a guy with saves that are seriously out of whack. Is this a game-breaking issue?	+	'''Q:''' If a character took multiple classes, or Prestige Classes, suddenly you've got a guy with saves that are seriously out of whack. Is this a game-breaking issue?<br />
-	A: If you multiclass that much, you're probably doing it to get the saves. In that situation, your saves are your special ability. Moreover, saves are passive abilities; the player doesn't control when their character uses a save, which gives them limited appeal compared to stuff the player can control. So if a player goes after them like crazy, and succeeds in having really exceptional saves – let them have their fun.	+	'''A:''' If you multiclass that much, you're probably doing it to get the saves. In that situation, your saves are your special ability. Moreover, saves are passive abilities; the player doesn't control when their character uses a save, which gives them limited appeal compared to stuff the player can control. So if a player goes after them like crazy, and succeeds in having really exceptional saves – let them have their fun.

-	Q: I prefer stopping at around 8th level, does that work for this system?	+	'''Q:''' I prefer stopping at around 8th level, does that work for this system?<br />
-	A: The system will probably work about as well at 8th level, but note that “Epic 6th” characters do end up being more powerful than regular 6th level characters. Epic 6th may be what you want for a game that sits at the power level for Level 8, and Epic 8th may cater more closely to Level 10 style play.	+	'''A:''' The system will probably work about as well at 8th level, but note that “Epic 6th” characters do end up being more powerful than regular 6th level characters. Epic 6th may be what you want for a game that sits at the power level for Level 8, and Epic 8th may cater more closely to Level 10 style play.

-	Q: Does E6 work with a slower progression to level 6? Does it work when characters are created at 2nd level?	+	'''Q:''' Does E6 work with a slower progression to level 6? Does it work when characters are created at 2nd level?<br />
	Yes and yes. I've tried both during my playtesting period. I'll be starting my new game at 3rd level.		Yes and yes. I've tried both during my playtesting period. I'll be starting my new game at 3rd level.

-	Q: I’m not a big fan of experience points. Do you need a strict XP system to make E6 work?	+	'''Q:''' I’m not a big fan of experience points. Do you need a strict XP system to make E6 work?<br />
-	A: An ad-hoc "gain a feat" approach would work absolutely 100% with this system. I used to do that with other systems (power up when the story makes it appropriate) and given the fact that the upper end of the power curve flattens off, that method should go very smoothly with E6.	+	'''A:''' An ad-hoc "gain a feat" approach would work absolutely 100% with this system. I used to do that with other systems (power up when the story makes it appropriate) and given the fact that the upper end of the power curve flattens off, that method should go very smoothly with E6.

-	Q: Can you use Prestige Classes with E6?	+	'''Q:''' Can you use Prestige Classes with E6?<br />
-	A: I’d recommend taking the same approach you take in your regular D&D game. If you allow Prestige Classes there, feel free to allow them here. Of course, characters capped at 6th level can usually take at most 1 level of a Prestige Class.	+	'''A:''' I’d recommend taking the same approach you take in your regular D&D game. If you allow Prestige Classes there, feel free to allow them here. Of course, characters capped at 6th level can usually take at most 1 level of a Prestige Class.

-	Q: With only 6 levels, how do races with a level adjustment work?	+	'''Q:''' With only 6 levels, how do races with a level adjustment work?<br />
-	If you use races with a level adjustment, the 6th level cap is a big issue. Use the point buy rules in the DMG as follows:	+	'''A:'''If you use races with a level adjustment, the 6th level cap is a big issue. Use the point buy rules in the DMG as follows:
-	LA Point buy	+	=====LA Point buy=====
-	+0 32	+	*+0 32
-	+1 25	+	*+1 25
-	+2 18	+	*+2 18
-	+3 10	+	*+3 10
-	+4 00	+	*+4 00

	Thus, +LA races should start with zero LA, but use the point buy listed here. Keep in mind the difference between LA and racial hit dice (the two combine to give starting ECL).		Thus, +LA races should start with zero LA, but use the point buy listed here. Keep in mind the difference between LA and racial hit dice (the two combine to give starting ECL).