Sir Bedivere wrote:SmootRK wrote:
[edit] FYI - you mention that
Sir Bedivere wrote:First, I like it because it gives an interesting tweak to the class and it seems to be in the spirit of the game.
I would disagree that this is in the spirit of the game.. perhaps 3e+ era, but not the older editions this game is modeled on.
Yeah, I don't have a good feel for the 'spirit of the game' in the original. Nor, for that matter, do I have a feel for 2e or 3e, which I never played. I would say, though, that it seems kinda AD&D DMG-ish, to me.
Anyway, any thoughts on whether I should keep it?
I think I'll skip the effects of armor on ability checks for this supplement, but it's an interesting idea and maybe there's a home for it elsewhere.
Well personally, I like the simplicity of simply saying MU (and/or subclasses) cannot wear armor (elf and a couple of my house-rule races aside). Basically diverting the exceptions to Armor use to the race as exceptions. One exception to this, is that I believe MU ought to have access to Bucklers... I don't think that really breaks the game. I even have an old (actual) lead figure from the early 80's of such a wizard (or perhaps it is a druid) looking a lot like a Gandalf visage.
Again, that is not to say that one should not address the AC of wizards. Like I was saying above, additional spell options could potentially assist here, as can minor magical items.
For instance, a Spell called
Distance Distortion could work like a minor Blur spell, making the caster much more difficult to hit by missile weapons. Perhaps a spell called
Bone Skin can give the MU a temporary immunity to piercing/slashing equivalent to what Skeletons have. A spell called
Summon Guard Dog might call a single such creature that viciously guards the MU against any that approach (but is not usable in combat otherwise; one cannot command it to attack foes that are not actively attacking/advancing the MU).
And, one can easily put these spells into items as minor magic items. A Ring that can produce one of these effects once or more each day (or other low level spells). Scrolls of course. I don't recommend giving out magic items during character creation, but the GM can certainly insert appropriate stuff early in an adventure to give a boost (any GM would know that beginning MU characters need a boost). Also on the more campaign control end of things, perhaps introduce some sort of Mage Guild for such characters to give cheap/easy access to minor magicks.
Perhaps the Game Master might be given advice to have beginning MU start with more spells in the spell book. One Offensive, two Defensive, and one General Purpose. Of the 2 defensive, I would suggest one that personally protects the MU, and the other of a more general protection or having the ability to apply to others.
Again, my ideas (beyond bonus spells) is to address most issues for MU classes by the creative creation of spells that can be used, inserted into magical items, or handed out as scrolls. Just including all the extra goodness of the Libram Magica (for instance) can go a long way in providing and exponential expansion to the abilities of MU (especially when combined into the creation of new magical items that incorporate new effects).
Another idea you might explore, not covered anywhere yet, is that MU have some minor alchemy ability, with the ability to craft unguents and salves and minor potions. Perhaps given some supplies (added to your equipment list) they have the ability in one day to produce one of a list of minor effects (with the potions lasting no more than 1 day before spoilage):
1. hard skin - skeleton effect
2. blending - increase hide, AC bonus against missile
3. poison for a blade (increases damage by 1d4 per strike, save vs. poison for no extra damage)
4. magic blade - makes the blade/weapon magical (in order to hit foes; does not actually produce a bonus to hit though).
5. etc. just some examples to get started.
Perhaps the little effect is randomly determined by GM each day based upon the MU grazing for various ingredients, or the character can choose one such effect each day??
Just more to get the creativity going.