DwD Studios

Well, I use a lot of houserules, but they're mostly for flavor. Mine are in the wiki here at
http://dwdstudios.com/node/921

1: The skills in excess of 100 is rapidly equalized by multiple action penalties, and they don't go that far past 100 generally. With a skill of 6 and a primary skill, that's 80 points to add to the skill. If the stat's a really good one, say 80, then they are still only at 120. That sounds like a lot, but it knocks off 20% every extra action. I've found the multi-action penalties more than equal things out, especially seeing as how I generally use more monsters than there are players. The players have to defend more often and are generally at a disadvantage. Buying DEX up becomes more important then.

2: I don't really have an issue with spellcaster damage so much as the effects of the Aid spell. Man, that sucker's got the potential to really pack a punch. Take a guy with 50 in his stats and lvl 6 spellcaster, one Aid and all his stats are now 110. That's a big bump. I've seriously considered halving the bonus from the aid spell to make it a little more manageable, but haven't as of yet. After all, I intend the players to win, and if I don't get to bloody their noses a little bit, I cheat mercilessly. It's the game master's prerogative after all. (I never cheat lethally)

3: I usually just subtract the skill (or half of the attribute) of the 'target' and make one roll. I try to keep it simple. Say for instance, a thief sneaking past an orc. The orc has LOG of 50, the thief makes his roll at -25 IF the orc is actively looking around. If he's not, he just makes a stealth check. If he fails, the orc gets a logic check. If both fail, the rogue snuck past anyway. Make sense?

4: One of the players decided they wanted some more realism and that the weapon system wasn't detailed enough, so that was their addition. I think it's a fine system, but I go just the opposite. If you look in my rules, I made a more simplified weapons table. I like the Lite aspect more than realism. It's just how modifiable the system is and player preference, but the rules are fine as written.

5: I assume you mean Offensive Strike. There have been many threads on this topic, and I myself modified it, but have found that the average damage (especially with the Aid spell) is the same as the 'stock' spell, so changing it was really a moot point in my own games. It did, however, make the level 1 spellcaster a bit more survivable and slow down how quickly they ramped up to full strength. In a game with low amounts of magic items, offensive strike can be problematic for amount of damage, however, in a game where the fighter finds some magic toys as well (STR enhancing gear, swords with extra D of damage, etc), it's really not an issue. It depends on how you run your game.

Your questions are fine, and answering them is what the boards are for. All of the above answers reflect my own opinions and observations and are not the responsibility of the authors or any other poster on this forum. :)

I hope they help though,
Wolf

I find it has quirks as well and have made house rules for my own game, honestly that is one of the things I like most about the game it is very easy to house rule and add other layers of complexity to it.

The wiki is full of great ideas a few address the concerns you brought up.
I do like the alternate xp cost based on whether a skill is primary secondary or tertiary.

I plan on rewriting all the spells for my own game eventually, and adding more. When I am done with all my spell changes and other house rules I guess my version of BBF will be vastly different than others but I like that it gave me a very good foundation to build my world/game with.

Thank you all for those replies

I appreciate it

Just read this and had some thoughts to share.

1. Characters can get skills in excess of 100% much too soon after character creation

Mmm, not sure what you mean by too soon. Skills are Half your attribute plus a bonus for primary or secondary skill. You'd have to spend alot of DP to get over 100%. And if a player wants to specialize like that more power to 'em. The'll be a one skill wonder. Plus I don't see skills over 100% as end game at all. Now they can do some amazing things with stacked penalies against them and have a chance at pulling it off.

2. As a result, wizards are most affected by 1. above, and become too powerful too quickly

I don't see how wizards would be more affected by #1 than any other skill. All skills could be maxed out like that equally if one so chose.

3. There are no official rules for opposed skill rolls

Yes, page 26.

4. Why have we got a pdf offering refined weapon qualities? Is there something up with the rules in this regard, or are they just optional extras?

That is a fan created pdf. All optional, just like all the official rules.

5. Isn’t one of the more combat orientated spells overpowered?

This has been discussed alot. I thought so too until I had a few sessions of play under by belt. I don't think so anymore.

Play it a few times and then please, tell us if your impressions match what you see at the table. I'd be interested to hear either way. I had many of the same concerns you had, most of them infact. I'm not seeing them rear their heads at the table...so far. :)

Skill increases

Say I have a skill at level 2, and I want to increase it to level 3, do I pay an extra 3 dp or do I pay 9?

To go to level 3 from level 2 you pay 9DP.

To go from 1 to 3 is 18DP total.

thank you

Oops, I should have said to go from NO skill (0) to level 3 is 18DP total.

But keep in mind you cannot skip levels in one session... to go from no skill (0) to level 3 takes 3 sessions, regardless of the number of DP saved up!