[Programming] [5E] Your Input Needed for new Fumble Table Concept
BACKGROUND
Fumbles can make the game more fun.
REQUEST
- If you're interested in this idea, please let me have your comments and suggestions to improve it.
- If you are experienced with FG MOD creation, your advice in coding this would be most welcome!
ISSUES WITH FUMBLES AS CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTED
If a fumble is based off a static probability per attack (e.g. a '1' on 1d20) then a high level character is much more likely to fumble than a low level character because they have more attacks per round. Why would a 20th level fighter fumble more often in a fixed time period than a 1st level wizard, when the fighter would have much more skill with a weapon? (note that the same issue does not arise with criticals).
PROPOSED CHANGE TO FUMBLE
- A roll of a '1' indicates that a fumble is possible
- A second check is taken to see if the fumble occurs or not with a DC based on a number of variables (straw-man ideas for this check are below): Chance to fumble = 20 - modifiers 1-6. below
- subtract proficiency bonus
- subtract dexterity bonus
- each attack action per round > 1, subtract 5 (e.g. subtract 5 for 2 attacks per round); bonus attacks do not adjust the modifier
- Magic weapons subtract 1 per +1 of the weapon
- Light weapons subtract 1
- Heavy weapons add 1
EXAMPLE 1
A Nat 1 has been rolled and the player has a 9th level fighter with 12 dexterity, wielding a +1 maul who rolls the second check.
- Base Chance to fumble = 20
- subtract proficiency bonus (3)
- subtract agility bonus (1)
- each attack action per round > 1, subtract 5 (e.g. subtract 5 for 2 attacks per round); bonus attacks do not adjust the modifier (5)
- Magic weapons subtract 1 per +1 of the weapon (1)
- Light weapons subtract 1 (0)
- Heavy weapons add 1 - a maul is heavy (1)
Fumble DC = 20 - 3 - 1 - 5 - 1 - 0 + 1 = DC11
So the player rolls a second 1d20 and fumbles if s/he fails to roll 10 or less (50% probability of fumbling).
EXAMPLE 2
A Nat 1 has been rolled and the player has a 1st level wizard with 15 dexterity, wielding a dagger who rolls the second check.
- Base Chance to fumble = 20
- subtract proficiency bonus (2)
- subtract agility bonus (2)
- each attack action per round > 1, subtract 5 (e.g. subtract 5 for 2 attacks per round); bonus attacks do not adjust the modifier (0)
- Magic weapons subtract 1 per +1 of the weapon (0)
- Light weapons subtract 1 - a dagger is light (1)
- Heavy weapons add 1 (0)
Fumble DC = 20 - 2 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 = DC15
So the player rolls a second 1d20 and fumbles if s/he fails to roll 14 or less (70% chance of fumbling).
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We can tweak the base chance and value of modifiers to adjust the chance such that a 20th level fighter, despite having multiple attacks per round, fumbles much less frequently than a 1st level wizard.
Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions.