To Name Or Not To Name

[ç i p h é r]

@Mayhem: Your experience concerns can be taken into account. As I mentioned a few posts above, multiple encounters with the same creature will yield favorable conditions for subsequent knowledge checks (+2/+4 circumstance bonus). If someone in the party happens to identify a creature successfully, that knowledge can be transfered to everyone in the party. Alternatively, we could create something like a "creature diary" similar to what we do with trade scrolls to better facilitate knowledge transfers between players. I think this is very much a solvable issue.

@Dorn: It depends on how you wish to allocate your skill points. If your INT 14 fighter is smart but hasn't studied "dungeons", he won't know anything about the sorts of things that are in them. Sure, he'll learn by experience, but that's exactly what your skill point allocation will reflect.

And just to be clear, these are not rules we're making up, as I think you are implying. They are very much a part of 3rd edition (we're adding in all the 3rd edition skills missing from the game), but likely omitted from NWN to make it play more like a video game than a role playing game. I can appreciate the fact that you don't like the rules because of the constraints it puts on your characters, but that's really not an appropriate basis for changing them or omitting them entirely. Unless I'm mistaken, we want to replicate as much of the 3rd edition rules as are technically feasible and I believe there is an opportunity to achieve that here.

p.s. The only valid argument against doing this, in my own mind, is if it's worth the effort. I don't think it's complicated to develop, but it may require more work than the benefits it would yield. There is also a dependence on OE for some scripting capabilities which are at present lacking as AL pointed out earlier. Nevertheless, I'm willing to explore these ideas to see where they lead. That is, after all, what an adventure is all about.

[Mayhem]

And just to be clear, these are not rules we're making up, as I think you are implying. They are very much a part of 3rd edition (we're adding in all the 3rd edition skills missing from the game), but likely omitted from NWN to make it play more like a video game than a role playing game... (snip) ...Unless I'm mistaken, we want to replicate as much of the 3rd edition rules as are technically feasible and I believe there is an opportunity to achieve that here.)

Well, if you are going to go the RAW route: The 3.5 ed rules do not, AFAIK, suggest that DMs never tell their players what they are fighting.

The "monster identification" rules from the SRD state:

In many cases, you can use this skill to identify monsters and their special powers or vulnerabilities. In general, the DC of such a check equals 10 + the monster’s HD. A successful check allows you to remember a bit of useful information about that monster. For every 5 points by which your check result exceeds the DC, you recall another piece of useful information.

Lets focus on the important bit there:

a bit of useful information about that monster

I think that counts as more than a name. "Its a troll" is not useful. "It's a troll, it regenerates damage not done by fire or acid" is useful.

So, as I said earlier, if we are implementing this rule, then I want to see that useful information. In bold colourful letters in the combat report screen so its hard to miss.

***

Add to that, we are in no obligation to use rules that make no sense. DC by hit dice in this case makes no sense, compared to DC vs monster rarity.

[Dorn]

And just to be clear, these are not rules we're making up, as I think you are implying.

You're spot on here chiph.
I've never played PnP DnD in my life. I've only been a player of ALFA and that's as close as i've got.

So i'm just talking as a palyer of the computer game 'ALFA' and thinkingmy own thoughts about this abstract 'realisty' we play in this game. If i'm outisde the core rules (ie 3.0 or 3.5 or whateva we're playing) then i'm flat out WRONG as that's the ruleset we're playing here.

Forums are just there for people to express opinions aferall You guys are doing much more for alfa than i ever did and know more about the boundries, i'm just throwing in opinions. You lads/ladies will make the best judgemtn and i'll enjoy myself reagrdless of wat you decide.

These rules are the periphery, ALFA is fun regardless of teh subtle nunances.

[Dorn]

And just to be clear, these are not rules we're making up, as I think you are implying.

You're spot on here chiph. EDIT: not spot on about 'implying 'tho, i just don't know.

I've never played PnP DnD in my life. I've only been a player of ALFA and that's as close as i've got.

So i'm just talking as a player of the computer game 'ALFA' and thinking my own thoughts about this abstract reality we play in this game. If i'm outisde the core rules (ie 3.0 or 3.5 or whateva we're playing) then i'm flat out WRONG as that's the ruleset we're playing here.

Forums are just there for people to express opinions aferall You guys are doing much more for alfa than i ever did and know more about the boundries, i'm just throwing in opinions. You lads/ladies will make the best judgemtn based on knowledge of DnD (which i dont have) and i'll enjoy myself reagrdless of wat you decide.

These kinda rules are the periphery, ALFA is fun regardless of teh subtle nunances. I'm just offering thoughts, not making accusations.

[ç i p h é r]

I'll see about adding in some useful information per creature and revealing them based on the result of the knowledge check. Certainly CR but also things that would be fairly obvious to someone who's studied the creature, like number of attacks, type of attacks, and resistances, to name a few. At 5 points per, that covers a spread of at least 15 points. Since this seems to be the main hangup, I think it's a surmountable obstacle.

And Dorn, no worries. I just misinterpreted a part of your post. Thanks for the clarification and the feedback as well.

[Souvarine]

Just putting imput here.

If your character has really slain 50 wolves. Trust me you will know when the 51st 3d model wolf graphic will rush toward you. And you will also know that it takes you about 2 axe swings to kill them. Actually, since you are a human behind a computer, you will most likely guess right on the first fight. In fact, since most alfean will have done the regular campaign and perhaps a few extra mods (and or toolsetting)...you'll automatically recognise the appearances.

You don't always have an encyclopedia or monster's handbook with you when fighting. And your experience will reflect just that, experience.

So...you can't get that creature to die, and damned if it looks like a troll...my my, it could be one? try fire. The second time you see an identical creature, you will use fire.

That's real, roleplayed learning.

Words above heads are simply nothing but meta or useless info.
After a while you will be very knowledgeable about local foes, and as such will be able to impart that knowledge to others. Travellers will always be scared at what could be around, unless, like real travellers, they ask the locals. Fight for real, learn for real.

You won't always have time to examine a foe, just like in real life when someone charges you, you don't google it. You fight first and ask questions later.

This will have a very interesting side effect. People will want scouts, local if possible and with knowledge of what's in the neighborhood. Stealthy characters like rangers and rogues will be sought after to scout in front of others, in order to do just what you want: examine stuff and know in advance. So job opportunities for rogues and other sneaky gits...adventuring parties are back.

EDIT: the only information that should be available should be the "wound" or damage status (in case of non-living foes). That's because models don't show their health.