DoD OOC

[Faeryl Nhiikira]

Yep the dice are like that sometimes.

Oh you can insert pictures directly into a post using the full editor

Actually, I can't add attachments to posts. Using the IMG code tells me that it can't determine the dimensions of the picture. This is possibly due to using a link to the picture uploaded as an attachment to a forum post as opposed to a direct link from its source.

[Faeryl Nhiikira]

Welcome, Faeryl! Thanks for taking the initiative and getting your character going ^^ In fact Seraphina is almost complete, though if you would like to include a short biography just PM it to me.

There really isn't much to tell where a biography is concerned. What little there is to tell I have already posted with the character description. If you were looking for something like where she lives/was born, I can pick someplace at random. Otherwise it's as I said: nothing more to see at present.

Not sure what "almost" complete means, unless you were looking for me to fix weapon proficiencies or something.

[NoTrammeling]

You guessed it Faeryl, I need WP's and NWP's from you.

[Faeryl Nhiikira]

You guessed it Faeryl, I need WP's and NWP's from you.

I'm not entirely sure how those things work, actually. It says that thieves get 2 proficiency "slots", but does that mean I can only get two proficiencies, and that's it? Seems a bit confusing, and is probably the reason the original DM I made Seraphina for said to just ignore them (the Player's Handbook even says proficiencies are completely optional).

[NoTrammeling]

So how it works is that you have to choose which weapons you're proficient with, using other weapons comes at a penalty. NWP's are sort of like skills for 3e, but they don't really get better with time.

For WP's one slot = proficient with one weapon (2 slots = specialization, which is only for fighters)
NWP's can cost anywhere from 1-4 slots. Slots you are choosing from within the groups allowed for rogues (rogue and general) cost the normal amount, NWP's from a different category (say, priest) cost double.

[Faeryl Nhiikira]

So how it works is that you have to choose which weapons you're proficient with, using other weapons comes at a penalty. NWP's are sort of like skills for 3e, but they don't really get better with time.

For WP's one slot = proficient with one weapon (2 slots = specialization, which is only for fighters)
NWP's can cost anywhere from 1-4 slots. Slots you are choosing from within the groups allowed for rogues (rogue and general) cost the normal amount, NWP's from a different category (say, priest) cost double.

You haven't answered my question. The book says rogues have two "proficiency" slots. Does this mean that if I want to be proficient with two weapons (say, light crossbow and short sword) I cannot have ANY other proficiencies (weapon or otherwise)? It could be I'm missing something obvious, but my reading indicates this is exactly how it works.

[JadedDM]

You haven't answered my question. The book says rogues have two "proficiency" slots. Does this mean that if I want to be proficient with two weapons (say, light crossbow and short sword) I cannot have ANY other proficiencies (weapon or otherwise)? It could be I'm missing something obvious, but my reading indicates this is exactly how it works.

Weapon proficiencies and nonweapon proficiencies are separate. Spending a point in one does not affect the other.

A thief starts with only two weapon proficiencies--so only two weapons you can be proficient in. (My personal advice? Pick one melee weapon and one missile weapon, that way you're covered whether the enemy is close up or far away).

You'll get a new weapon proficiency every 4 levels (so 4th level, 8th level, 12th level, etc.) that you can use to learn a new weapon. If you try and use a weapon you aren't proficient in, you suffer a -3 to hit.

As for nonweapon proficiencies, you start with 3 slots normally as a thief. However, due to your high Intelligence score (16), you get 5 more--so 8 total. If you look in the PHB, there is a list of nonweapon proficiencies you can choose from. Each one is labeled with how many 'slots' they cost. NWPs in the Rogue and General sub-categories cost as is. NWPS in the Warrior, Priest or Wizard sub-categories cost double.

So taking Disguise or Tumbling would both cost 1 slot each. Taking Reading Lips is more expensive, costing 2 slots. If you wanted, say, Spellcraft (found in the Wizard and Priest sub-categories) although it says it only costs 1 point, you actually have to spend 2 to buy it, because you are a thief.

Likewise, you get a new nonweapon proficiency slot every 4 levels.

[Faeryl Nhiikira]

You haven't answered my question. The book says rogues have two "proficiency" slots. Does this mean that if I want to be proficient with two weapons (say, light crossbow and short sword) I cannot have ANY other proficiencies (weapon or otherwise)? It could be I'm missing something obvious, but my reading indicates this is exactly how it works.

Weapon proficiencies and nonweapon proficiencies are separate. Spending a point in one does not affect the other.

A thief starts with only two weapon proficiencies--so only two weapons you can be proficient in. (My personal advice? Pick one melee weapon and one missile weapon, that way you're covered whether the enemy is close up or far away).

You'll get a new weapon proficiency every 4 levels (so 4th level, 8th level, 12th level, etc.) that you can use to learn a new weapon. If you try and use a weapon you aren't proficient in, you suffer a -3 to hit.

As for nonweapon proficiencies, you start with 3 slots normally as a thief. However, due to your high Intelligence score (16), you get 5 more--so 8 total. If you look in the PHB, there is a list of nonweapon proficiencies you can choose from. Each one is labeled with how many 'slots' they cost. NWPs in the Rogue and General sub-categories cost as is. NWPS in the Warrior, Priest or Wizard sub-categories cost double.

So taking Disguise or Tumbling would both cost 1 slot each. Taking Reading Lips is more expensive, costing 2 slots. If you wanted, say, Spellcraft (found in the Wizard and Priest sub-categories) although it says it only costs 1 point, you actually have to spend 2 to buy it, because you are a thief.

Likewise, you get a new nonweapon proficiency slot every 4 levels.

I knew about the extra proficiencies every 4 levels, and the Weapon Proficiencies, I just couldn't seem to find specific information on how many NWPs that I get. Thanks for this, I'll poke around and see what I can get. I have a feeling that tumbling will be at least one of them. After all, what is a thief without acrobatics? The sheet will be updated properly with these things by the end of tonight. It usually doesn't take me long to do stuff once I know what I'm doing.

[JadedDM]

No problem. Second edition isn't always very intuitive, but once you get the hang of it, it's super-easy.

[NoTrammeling]

Thanks for stepping in, Jaded. Far better of an explanation than I gave. I would like to point out to you though Faeryl that I have a house rule regarding crossbows, in that they have modified ROF and dmg and do not require a proficiency slot to use them effectively.

Oh, and additionally, armor choice is very important for rogues in 2e because it effects your Thief Skills. Going unarmed grants you a bonus to some skills, wearing leather armor has no effect on your skills, but wearing any other sort of armor (even studded leather) comes with certain penalties.

[HorizonsDream]

Well, as the other person playing a thief, I guess I should ask what type of thief you plan on playing, Faeryl?

I was designing mine to be kind of a scout/pick pocket type of girl.

[Faeryl Nhiikira]

Thanks for stepping in, Jaded. Far better of an explanation than I gave. I would like to point out to you though Faeryl that I have a house rule regarding crossbows, in that they have modified ROF and dmg and do not require a proficiency slot to use them effectively.

Oh, and additionally, armor choice is very important for rogues in 2e because it effects your Thief Skills. Going unarmed grants you a bonus to some skills, wearing leather armor has no effect on your skills, but wearing any other sort of armor (even studded leather) comes with certain penalties.

I noticed this. It seems very counter-intuitive. Sure, thieves aren't supposed to be hit in the first place, but how does something like studded leather restrict you so much that you take a -30% to ALL skills? Studded leather is just regular leather armor with metal studs sewn in. If "regular" armor doesn't affect skills, why should changing that regular armor very slightly affect things so drastically? If it's the "sleeves" of the armor that restrict movement, why not remove them?

I'll change it if I must to keep my skills high, but it just seems very silly to me.

[Faeryl Nhiikira]

Well, as the other person playing a thief, I guess I should ask what type of thief you plan on playing, Faeryl?

I was designing mine to be kind of a scout/pick pocket type of girl.

I'm the person you call when you need a door opened or a trap disarmed. I have 50% chance to open any lock (barring additional penalties) and a 40% chance on traps. I can also double as a secondary scout with the 45% in Hide/Move Silently/Climb Walls.

[NoTrammeling]

...how does something like studded leather restrict you so much that you take a -30% to ALL skills? Studded leather is just regular leather armor with metal studs sewn in.

EDIT: Forgot to actually post my commentary

I'll have a look at my PHB tonight as I'm reviewing everyone's stats, as well as look at the difference between studded leather and regular leather armor. If it seems that unreasonable I might be willing to make a house rule or two.

[Faeryl Nhiikira]

...how does something like studded leather restrict you so much that you take a -30% to ALL skills? Studded leather is just regular leather armor with metal studs sewn in.

EDIT: Forgot to actually post my commentary

I'll have a look at my PHB tonight as I'm reviewing everyone's stats, as well as look at the difference between studded leather and regular leather armor. If it seems that unreasonable I might be willing to make a house rule or two.

Thanks, all I ask is for you to check and use your best judgement. If you think the RAW (rules as written) are fine regarding this, I'll just downgrade the armor a tad.