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What would the consequence of having half damage on ties be as a house rule?
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6
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Typically if an attack roll equals the AC of a target then the attack does normal damage. I quite like the idea of making it a glancing blow, dealing half damage instead, this would help clue the PCs into what the AC of the target roughly is. Same with saving throws if a PC or monster ties with the saving throw DC normally that would be no damage, but half damage would again help clue players in to how powerful a monster's spells or saving throws are.
My only worry would be that this might create balance issues. I will make sure that the rule is the same for when monsters attack, so it is a general rule "ties do half damage." What would the consequences of this house-rule be?
Thanks!
dnd-5e house-rules
asked 42 mins ago
MooseBoost
1778
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
Typically if an attack roll equals the AC of a target then the attack does normal damage. I quite like the idea of making it a glancing blow, dealing half damage instead, this would help clue the PCs into what the AC of the target roughly is. Same with saving throws if a PC or monster ties with the saving throw DC normally that would be no damage, but half damage would again help clue players in to how powerful a monster's spells or saving throws are.
My only worry would be that this might create balance issues. I will make sure that the rule is the same for when monsters attack, so it is a general rule "ties do half damage." What would the consequences of this house-rule be?
Thanks!
dnd-5e house-rules
asked 42 mins ago
MooseBoost
1778
1
Would it go both ways? I.e. would a monster attack hitting the PC's armor class exactly only do half damage?
– nitsua60♦
33 mins ago
1
Yes, it would, but for balance reasons. Given the PCs can't see the monster's rolls I doubt it would give them much insight into the monsters power though so I didn't mention it. I will edit my question though to make that clearer.
– MooseBoost
30 mins ago
Would damage also be halved if the attack is a critical that happens to match the target's AC?
– Sdjz
23 mins ago
@Sdjz hadn't thought about that. If the players are fighting a monster that takes a crit to hit I have probably designed that encounter pretty badly and will be heading to a tpk though lol. I think critical hits count as more specific and specific beats general so I would have the criticals work as normal probably.
– MooseBoost
19 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
Typically if an attack roll equals the AC of a target then the attack does normal damage. I quite like the idea of making it a glancing blow, dealing half damage instead, this would help clue the PCs into what the AC of the target roughly is. Same with saving throws if a PC or monster ties with the saving throw DC normally that would be no damage, but half damage would again help clue players in to how powerful a monster's spells or saving throws are.
My only worry would be that this might create balance issues. I will make sure that the rule is the same for when monsters attack, so it is a general rule "ties do half damage." What would the consequences of this house-rule be?
Thanks!
dnd-5e house-rules
asked 42 mins ago
MooseBoost
1778
Typically if an attack roll equals the AC of a target then the attack does normal damage. I quite like the idea of making it a glancing blow, dealing half damage instead, this would help clue the PCs into what the AC of the target roughly is. Same with saving throws if a PC or monster ties with the saving throw DC normally that would be no damage, but half damage would again help clue players in to how powerful a monster's spells or saving throws are.
My only worry would be that this might create balance issues. I will make sure that the rule is the same for when monsters attack, so it is a general rule "ties do half damage." What would the consequences of this house-rule be?
Thanks!
dnd-5e house-rules
dnd-5e house-rules
asked 42 mins ago
MooseBoost
1778
asked 42 mins ago
MooseBoost
1778
edited 29 mins ago
asked 42 mins ago
MooseBoost
1778
asked 42 mins ago
MooseBoost
1778
asked 42 mins ago
MooseBoost
1778
1778
1
Would it go both ways? I.e. would a monster attack hitting the PC's armor class exactly only do half damage?
– nitsua60♦
33 mins ago
1
Yes, it would, but for balance reasons. Given the PCs can't see the monster's rolls I doubt it would give them much insight into the monsters power though so I didn't mention it. I will edit my question though to make that clearer.
– MooseBoost
30 mins ago
Would damage also be halved if the attack is a critical that happens to match the target's AC?
– Sdjz
23 mins ago
@Sdjz hadn't thought about that. If the players are fighting a monster that takes a crit to hit I have probably designed that encounter pretty badly and will be heading to a tpk though lol. I think critical hits count as more specific and specific beats general so I would have the criticals work as normal probably.
– MooseBoost
19 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
Would it go both ways? I.e. would a monster attack hitting the PC's armor class exactly only do half damage?
– nitsua60♦
33 mins ago
1
Yes, it would, but for balance reasons. Given the PCs can't see the monster's rolls I doubt it would give them much insight into the monsters power though so I didn't mention it. I will edit my question though to make that clearer.
– MooseBoost
30 mins ago
Would damage also be halved if the attack is a critical that happens to match the target's AC?
– Sdjz
23 mins ago
@Sdjz hadn't thought about that. If the players are fighting a monster that takes a crit to hit I have probably designed that encounter pretty badly and will be heading to a tpk though lol. I think critical hits count as more specific and specific beats general so I would have the criticals work as normal probably.
– MooseBoost
19 mins ago
1
1
Would it go both ways? I.e. would a monster attack hitting the PC's armor class exactly only do half damage?
– nitsua60♦
33 mins ago
Would it go both ways? I.e. would a monster attack hitting the PC's armor class exactly only do half damage?
– nitsua60♦
33 mins ago
1
1
Yes, it would, but for balance reasons. Given the PCs can't see the monster's rolls I doubt it would give them much insight into the monsters power though so I didn't mention it. I will edit my question though to make that clearer.
– MooseBoost
30 mins ago
Yes, it would, but for balance reasons. Given the PCs can't see the monster's rolls I doubt it would give them much insight into the monsters power though so I didn't mention it. I will edit my question though to make that clearer.
– MooseBoost
30 mins ago
Would damage also be halved if the attack is a critical that happens to match the target's AC?
– Sdjz
23 mins ago
Would damage also be halved if the attack is a critical that happens to match the target's AC?
– Sdjz
23 mins ago
@Sdjz hadn't thought about that. If the players are fighting a monster that takes a crit to hit I have probably designed that encounter pretty badly and will be heading to a tpk though lol. I think critical hits count as more specific and specific beats general so I would have the criticals work as normal probably.
– MooseBoost
19 mins ago
@Sdjz hadn't thought about that. If the players are fighting a monster that takes a crit to hit I have probably designed that encounter pretty badly and will be heading to a tpk though lol. I think critical hits count as more specific and specific beats general so I would have the criticals work as normal probably.
– MooseBoost
19 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
7
down vote
Minimal.
I go by a rule of thumb that ~things~ hit/land/happen about 2/3 of the time in 5e. Really tough encounters you may make contact less than half the time, easy ones you're making contact 4 in 5 hits.
So let's assume for argument's sake that "contact"--successful attack or failed save--happens 65% of the time, and does an average of X damage. Your expected damage per attack under the existing rules is then $$0.65 times X$$
Your house rule takes one of those results and halves the damage: expected damage is now $$0.6 times X + 0.05 times (X/2)$$
or $$0.625 times X$$
That difference--0.025 X--is minimal. If your attacks are doing 20 damage per hit (tier 3 by this point, unless consuming resources to bump it up) it's a difference of 1hp.
It's fine.
But if you're worried about "balance," you can just make the half-damage apply both at AC and AC-1. Then you've not changed the long-term numbers at all.
answered 28 mins ago
nitsua60♦
68.1k11279403
Oh that AC and AC-1 is a really good idea, thanks!
– MooseBoost
24 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
I personally use this as a mechanic, on both sides, having the players give and receive glancing blows.
I don't think its unbalanced as long as you make everyone (players and opponents) play by the same rules, especially since the chance of having an attack match the AC is less likely than either a hit or a miss.
Try it out, you might find it doesn't ever happen.
As a side note I enjoy the added flavour it gives to combat and, as you said, can give hints to enemy AC as well as how their attacks fair against the PC's AC.
answered 29 mins ago
JDM7
4801416
add a comment |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
A slightly different result once in twenty rolls? Doesn't really sound game breaking.
answered 31 mins ago
Robert J Grippe
1
New contributor
Robert J Grippe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
That was my gut instinct. I was wondering if it may break the more tanky type monsters though. E.g. imagine a monster has 18AC, a PC with +0 to hit would only hit 3/20ths of the time. Making the monster take half damage on an 18 would effectively make this 2.5/20ths of the time. a reduction in damage of 16% (effectively the same as a d8 becoming a d6).
– MooseBoost
26 mins ago
I don't think that Crr
– Robert J Grippe
14 mins ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
– T.J.L.
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
7
down vote
Minimal.
I go by a rule of thumb that ~things~ hit/land/happen about 2/3 of the time in 5e. Really tough encounters you may make contact less than half the time, easy ones you're making contact 4 in 5 hits.
So let's assume for argument's sake that "contact"--successful attack or failed save--happens 65% of the time, and does an average of X damage. Your expected damage per attack under the existing rules is then $$0.65 times X$$
Your house rule takes one of those results and halves the damage: expected damage is now $$0.6 times X + 0.05 times (X/2)$$
or $$0.625 times X$$
That difference--0.025 X--is minimal. If your attacks are doing 20 damage per hit (tier 3 by this point, unless consuming resources to bump it up) it's a difference of 1hp.
It's fine.
But if you're worried about "balance," you can just make the half-damage apply both at AC and AC-1. Then you've not changed the long-term numbers at all.
answered 28 mins ago
nitsua60♦
68.1k11279403
Oh that AC and AC-1 is a really good idea, thanks!
– MooseBoost
24 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
Minimal.
I go by a rule of thumb that ~things~ hit/land/happen about 2/3 of the time in 5e. Really tough encounters you may make contact less than half the time, easy ones you're making contact 4 in 5 hits.
So let's assume for argument's sake that "contact"--successful attack or failed save--happens 65% of the time, and does an average of X damage. Your expected damage per attack under the existing rules is then $$0.65 times X$$
Your house rule takes one of those results and halves the damage: expected damage is now $$0.6 times X + 0.05 times (X/2)$$
or $$0.625 times X$$
That difference--0.025 X--is minimal. If your attacks are doing 20 damage per hit (tier 3 by this point, unless consuming resources to bump it up) it's a difference of 1hp.
It's fine.
But if you're worried about "balance," you can just make the half-damage apply both at AC and AC-1. Then you've not changed the long-term numbers at all.
answered 28 mins ago
nitsua60♦
68.1k11279403
Oh that AC and AC-1 is a really good idea, thanks!
– MooseBoost
24 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
Minimal.
I go by a rule of thumb that ~things~ hit/land/happen about 2/3 of the time in 5e. Really tough encounters you may make contact less than half the time, easy ones you're making contact 4 in 5 hits.
So let's assume for argument's sake that "contact"--successful attack or failed save--happens 65% of the time, and does an average of X damage. Your expected damage per attack under the existing rules is then $$0.65 times X$$
Your house rule takes one of those results and halves the damage: expected damage is now $$0.6 times X + 0.05 times (X/2)$$
or $$0.625 times X$$
That difference--0.025 X--is minimal. If your attacks are doing 20 damage per hit (tier 3 by this point, unless consuming resources to bump it up) it's a difference of 1hp.
It's fine.
But if you're worried about "balance," you can just make the half-damage apply both at AC and AC-1. Then you've not changed the long-term numbers at all.
answered 28 mins ago
nitsua60♦
68.1k11279403
Minimal.
I go by a rule of thumb that ~things~ hit/land/happen about 2/3 of the time in 5e. Really tough encounters you may make contact less than half the time, easy ones you're making contact 4 in 5 hits.
So let's assume for argument's sake that "contact"--successful attack or failed save--happens 65% of the time, and does an average of X damage. Your expected damage per attack under the existing rules is then $$0.65 times X$$
Your house rule takes one of those results and halves the damage: expected damage is now $$0.6 times X + 0.05 times (X/2)$$
or $$0.625 times X$$
That difference--0.025 X--is minimal. If your attacks are doing 20 damage per hit (tier 3 by this point, unless consuming resources to bump it up) it's a difference of 1hp.
It's fine.
But if you're worried about "balance," you can just make the half-damage apply both at AC and AC-1. Then you've not changed the long-term numbers at all.
answered 28 mins ago
nitsua60♦
68.1k11279403
answered 28 mins ago
nitsua60♦
68.1k11279403
answered 28 mins ago
nitsua60♦
68.1k11279403
answered 28 mins ago
nitsua60♦
68.1k11279403
68.1k11279403
Oh that AC and AC-1 is a really good idea, thanks!
– MooseBoost
24 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Oh that AC and AC-1 is a really good idea, thanks!
– MooseBoost
24 mins ago
Oh that AC and AC-1 is a really good idea, thanks!
– MooseBoost
24 mins ago
Oh that AC and AC-1 is a really good idea, thanks!
– MooseBoost
24 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
I personally use this as a mechanic, on both sides, having the players give and receive glancing blows.
I don't think its unbalanced as long as you make everyone (players and opponents) play by the same rules, especially since the chance of having an attack match the AC is less likely than either a hit or a miss.
Try it out, you might find it doesn't ever happen.
As a side note I enjoy the added flavour it gives to combat and, as you said, can give hints to enemy AC as well as how their attacks fair against the PC's AC.
answered 29 mins ago
JDM7
4801416
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
I personally use this as a mechanic, on both sides, having the players give and receive glancing blows.
I don't think its unbalanced as long as you make everyone (players and opponents) play by the same rules, especially since the chance of having an attack match the AC is less likely than either a hit or a miss.
Try it out, you might find it doesn't ever happen.
As a side note I enjoy the added flavour it gives to combat and, as you said, can give hints to enemy AC as well as how their attacks fair against the PC's AC.
answered 29 mins ago
JDM7
4801416
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
I personally use this as a mechanic, on both sides, having the players give and receive glancing blows.
I don't think its unbalanced as long as you make everyone (players and opponents) play by the same rules, especially since the chance of having an attack match the AC is less likely than either a hit or a miss.
Try it out, you might find it doesn't ever happen.
As a side note I enjoy the added flavour it gives to combat and, as you said, can give hints to enemy AC as well as how their attacks fair against the PC's AC.
answered 29 mins ago
JDM7
4801416
I personally use this as a mechanic, on both sides, having the players give and receive glancing blows.
I don't think its unbalanced as long as you make everyone (players and opponents) play by the same rules, especially since the chance of having an attack match the AC is less likely than either a hit or a miss.
Try it out, you might find it doesn't ever happen.
As a side note I enjoy the added flavour it gives to combat and, as you said, can give hints to enemy AC as well as how their attacks fair against the PC's AC.
answered 29 mins ago
JDM7
4801416
answered 29 mins ago
JDM7
4801416
answered 29 mins ago
JDM7
4801416
answered 29 mins ago
JDM7
4801416
4801416
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
A slightly different result once in twenty rolls? Doesn't really sound game breaking.
answered 31 mins ago
Robert J Grippe
1
New contributor
Robert J Grippe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
That was my gut instinct. I was wondering if it may break the more tanky type monsters though. E.g. imagine a monster has 18AC, a PC with +0 to hit would only hit 3/20ths of the time. Making the monster take half damage on an 18 would effectively make this 2.5/20ths of the time. a reduction in damage of 16% (effectively the same as a d8 becoming a d6).
– MooseBoost
26 mins ago
I don't think that Crr
– Robert J Grippe
14 mins ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
– T.J.L.
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
A slightly different result once in twenty rolls? Doesn't really sound game breaking.
answered 31 mins ago
Robert J Grippe
1
New contributor
Robert J Grippe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
That was my gut instinct. I was wondering if it may break the more tanky type monsters though. E.g. imagine a monster has 18AC, a PC with +0 to hit would only hit 3/20ths of the time. Making the monster take half damage on an 18 would effectively make this 2.5/20ths of the time. a reduction in damage of 16% (effectively the same as a d8 becoming a d6).
– MooseBoost
26 mins ago
I don't think that Crr
– Robert J Grippe
14 mins ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
– T.J.L.
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
up vote
-2
down vote
A slightly different result once in twenty rolls? Doesn't really sound game breaking.
answered 31 mins ago
Robert J Grippe
1
New contributor
Robert J Grippe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
A slightly different result once in twenty rolls? Doesn't really sound game breaking.
answered 31 mins ago
Robert J Grippe
1
New contributor
Robert J Grippe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 31 mins ago
Robert J Grippe
1
New contributor
Robert J Grippe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 31 mins ago
Robert J Grippe
1
answered 31 mins ago
Robert J Grippe
1
1
New contributor
Robert J Grippe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Robert J Grippe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Robert J Grippe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
That was my gut instinct. I was wondering if it may break the more tanky type monsters though. E.g. imagine a monster has 18AC, a PC with +0 to hit would only hit 3/20ths of the time. Making the monster take half damage on an 18 would effectively make this 2.5/20ths of the time. a reduction in damage of 16% (effectively the same as a d8 becoming a d6).
– MooseBoost
26 mins ago
I don't think that Crr
– Robert J Grippe
14 mins ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
– T.J.L.
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
That was my gut instinct. I was wondering if it may break the more tanky type monsters though. E.g. imagine a monster has 18AC, a PC with +0 to hit would only hit 3/20ths of the time. Making the monster take half damage on an 18 would effectively make this 2.5/20ths of the time. a reduction in damage of 16% (effectively the same as a d8 becoming a d6).
– MooseBoost
26 mins ago
I don't think that Crr
– Robert J Grippe
14 mins ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
– T.J.L.
11 mins ago
That was my gut instinct. I was wondering if it may break the more tanky type monsters though. E.g. imagine a monster has 18AC, a PC with +0 to hit would only hit 3/20ths of the time. Making the monster take half damage on an 18 would effectively make this 2.5/20ths of the time. a reduction in damage of 16% (effectively the same as a d8 becoming a d6).
– MooseBoost
26 mins ago
That was my gut instinct. I was wondering if it may break the more tanky type monsters though. E.g. imagine a monster has 18AC, a PC with +0 to hit would only hit 3/20ths of the time. Making the monster take half damage on an 18 would effectively make this 2.5/20ths of the time. a reduction in damage of 16% (effectively the same as a d8 becoming a d6).
– MooseBoost
26 mins ago
I don't think that Crr
– Robert J Grippe
14 mins ago
I don't think that Crr
– Robert J Grippe
14 mins ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
– T.J.L.
11 mins ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post; instead, provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker. - From Review
– T.J.L.
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
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1
Would it go both ways? I.e. would a monster attack hitting the PC's armor class exactly only do half damage?
– nitsua60♦
33 mins ago
1
Yes, it would, but for balance reasons. Given the PCs can't see the monster's rolls I doubt it would give them much insight into the monsters power though so I didn't mention it. I will edit my question though to make that clearer.
– MooseBoost
30 mins ago
Would damage also be halved if the attack is a critical that happens to match the target's AC?
– Sdjz
23 mins ago
@Sdjz hadn't thought about that. If the players are fighting a monster that takes a crit to hit I have probably designed that encounter pretty badly and will be heading to a tpk though lol. I think critical hits count as more specific and specific beats general so I would have the criticals work as normal probably.
– MooseBoost
19 mins ago