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Drycanth, there is a problem with to-hit numbers against certain pc builds (dwarven fighters and sorcerers) and from optimized (20 in controlling stat, especially for fighters) for many people's liking. As a player, we don't like missing. But an optimized fighter at first level doesn't miss zombies. Some people don't like that feel. Others are pleased that players do get to hit somewhere around 60-75% of the time (depending on what assumptions you make, re pc to hit and monster AC). 

Since pc (and monster) damage is high, I don't have too much of an issue with it. I think you may be over-reacting to the issue. I suggest you play it out and seewhat you think of it. But know that level 1 hit points don't survive too many hits. And decide if you want 5 minute workdays. I find that monster to hits are maybe a point low, maybe fine. But I think pc traits should be limited to 18 to start. Just my opinion, but it reduces the extremes just a little and helps the math work out better.

Thanks, Shaderaven! I always appreciate you posts, so it means a lot.

Yeah, it also reduces the pressure to be human, since you will only be trying to keep up with 18's, so a 16 isn't all that bad. (right now, you really feel it if you are rocking a 16 primary and someone else has a 20.

And I also think the 20 should be reachable with trait increases -- good callout. 

It's a great idea, Slag.  I should be thanking you.

Sep 11, 2012 -- 7:26AM, DontEatRawHagis wrote:

Two problems I had in my session:

• The only way for my players not to hit Zombies was to roll a "1 or 2"
• The only way most monsters could hit the Cleric was to roll "18, 19, or 20". Though to hit the Mage they just needed to get "10"

This is all at lvl 1 mind you.

Hrm... how the heck is a +2 attack from a Zombie needing an 18 to hit?  How did you Cleric get to AC 20?

On the bright side, zombies are pretty slow and unless you really are putting your players at a disadvantage, going out of your way to kill the mage, the wizard should be able to avoid being in melee with them pretty easily... at least in my DMing opinion.

Sep 11, 2012 -- 11:27AM, DontEatRawHagis wrote:

Changed to Kobolds, I was a bit unspecific with the monster. Kobolds are meant to be weak but they couldn't hit anything when I used them.

Cleric has chainmail, war domain. Wizard has negatives because of dex, though I might have to double check now. Also the Wizard player is not at all traditional by any stretch of the imagination. She has a +2 in most of her stats so she uses a long sword just as much as Magic Missile, even though she doesn't have training in it.

Its a fun game to run actually. Only two of the players are playing optimized characters.

Ah.. nod nod.. love those off-beat, play for role not roll, groups.  Sounds like fun.

My only advice, and it certainly doesn't work for all DMs, is to not punish the mage for playing a suboptimally designed character.  As easy as it is to find reasons to kill the wizard, it's just as easy to come up with RP reasons not to have everything try to do her in.  

She'll be rewarded for roleplaying something different without instantly being a death penalty.  Sure, she'll still be at risk (and probably find herself dying occasionally - but I find that most characters do, except maybe the current Protector Fighters going survival), but that might be part of the fun, too.  Cheating death and all that.

Anyway... good to hear that enjoyment is being had by all!