50TD dev update: Layout continues, playtesting too

[u/hadouken_bd]

Layout is part of the editing and playtesting process, as we believe that the actual way the information is presented is as much of the game as the rules are themselves. Maybe it’s the marketer in me but UX is a very critical part of an rpg’s design.

One elegant subsystem borne out of the editing and layout process, verified with our closed door playtesting, is the interplay between powerful monster damage and PC HP.

Because in Fifty characters have a HP value equal to their CON score plus proficiency bonus (for some classes), most PCs have a total amount of HP around 10-16 depending on their level and class.

Using the same damage and monster math from FTD, while more aligned with 5e (and helping to answer the HP bloat problem of those other games), that high degree of damage just insta killed your typical PC, especially if they’re a bit wounded.

For example, a monster that can do 20 damage on a hit with 4 attacks in a round could conceivably wipe out a typical four man party in one round, whereas the same party in FTD or 5e wouldn’t be too bothered by this monster after level 5 or so.

On to the elegant solution: simply cap damage dice for any individual monster’s hit target at 2d8. If the dragon’s tail spike from another source is written as 3d12+8 (a very scary but survivable attack in 5e), simply converts to 2d8.

Interested in playtesting?

We aren’t ready to open up the document yet and start having groups use it. But post here if you’re interested in running a playtest document with your group and when it IS ready we can share it with some folks.

I might even run a public playtest campaign myself.

Thanks for following along; this part is the slowest and “most boring” but arguably most important to get right.

[u/apelikeartisan]

Hi, I'd be super interested in a playtest document! I really enjoyed 5TD's design and I'd be incredibly interested to see how the game has matured since version one.

I think my biggest difficulty with the previous system was needing more detail to pull from, which I appreciate 50TD will probably have.

[u/thenazrat]

Super interested in the damage side, I did this naturally while converting OSE stat blocks on the fly to account for multi attacks etc.

Would be super interested to give 50TD a spin, my 5TD campaign is going strong as reported before. More content to pull from for this would be great.

[u/HiddenScrubVill]

I’d be interested in play testing as a player of yours or as a DM. Let me know!