Questions we'd like to ask DH Boggs

[The Perilous Dreamer]

Put your questions that you would like to ask author DH Boggs in this thread to keep them all in one place. 

[arjen]

One question would be whether the +1/level to hit bonus for fighter with 15+ strength, the multiple attacks against "non-fantastical opponents" based on level + class and the base +1 to hit per level for all classes are meant to all work together. Reading the #LBB this seems like the "base chainmail" and the "alternative combat method" are somehow multiplied by adding them together. Also the +1 to hit per level for fighters with strength 15+ seems to be a summing of the mix of the Gary Gygax house rule giving a flat +1 to hit for fighter with strength 15+ and the idea that only fighters get a to hit bonus based on level (propagated in some more eccentric clones like Lamentations of the Flame Princess).

If they are meant to be used together using these rules it has an interesting effect on risk assessment for the party, the element of surprise and being able to hit first an be in the position to hit as many opponents as possible becomes more important. There will be a more "glass cannon" element compared to other old school D&D/RPG rule-sets as the party (especially fighters against hordes) can wreak great havoc in the first round of combat if they're able to strike first. 

On a side notre; should fantastical creatures or any opponents with 4-5+ HD have the same multi-attack effect on PC's of Veteran Tier?

[The Perilous Dreamer]

Aug 18, 2021 18:06:30 GMT -5 arjen said:

One question would be whether the +1/level to hit bonus for fighter with 15+ strength, the multiple attacks against "non-fantastical opponents" based on level + class and the base +1 to hit per level for all classes are meant to all work together. Reading the #LBB this seems like the "base chainmail" and the "alternative combat method" are somehow multiplied by adding them together. Also the +1 to hit per level for fighters with strength 15+ seems to be a summing of the mix of the Gary Gygax house rule giving a flat +1 to hit for fighter with strength 15+ and the idea that only fighters get a to hit bonus based on level (propagated in some more eccentric clones like Lamentations of the Flame Princess).

If they are meant to be used together using these rules it has an interesting effect on risk assessment for the party, the element of surprise and being able to hit first an be in the position to hit as many opponents as possible becomes more important. There will be a more "glass cannon" element compared to other old school D&D/RPG rule-sets as the party (especially fighters against hordes) can wreak great havoc in the first round of combat if they're able to strike first. 

On a side note; should fantastical creatures or any opponents with 4-5+ HD have the same multi-attack effect on PC's of Veteran Tier?

I will take my stab at it, and at some point I hope to pass these questions on. From Champions of ZED:

The Context of CoZ
Enthusiasts of Role Playing Adventure games have many choices of games to play, many of which are very well done. Champions of ZED exists, however, to reflect an exploratory, world building style found as a core aspect of the first published edition from 1974, yet almost entirely neglected in later games. Champions of ZED also brings together the scattered intentions of both authors of the original 1 974 edition, left unfulfilled when the urge to publish overcame the urge to perfect, while preserving the open ended flexibility for which those rules are famous. A further nod to history is the option of using an adaptation of the much less commonly used “default” combat method in the 1974 rules, a method relying on the medieval wargames enjoyed by our hobbies’ creators. The novelty of this combat system will no doubt be a delight to some long time gamers, but the main advantage of presenting the combat system this way is the flexibility it allows to switch between tactical or more abstract combat as desired.

Although remember, it is really difficult for a party  wearing heavy armor to ever surprise anyone. 

Given this statement as to the Context of Champions of ZED, I would say that mixing things from both Arneson and Gygax was the intention. I have not had time to go back and look in detail at CoZ, but I suspect that the full writeup as opposed to what is in this book, makes it all more explicit.

As to your last question, I would say that exactly the intention and I have always run OD&D so that the monsters get the same benefits that PCs do. Also in my game all monsters have variable HD the same as PCs.

[The Perilous Dreamer]

From The Comeback Inn forum and in the hidden forum. Since this is an errata I feel comfortable sharing it. aldarron wrote:

So for part A, the answer is yes. Now for the caveat. I noticed that bit about the strength +1 bonus "per level" too late to edit. It is meant as a flat bonus - not increasing by one with each level (Gygax houserule, yes). Not sure how the per level text crept in there.

Regarding part B on whether fantastical creatures might receive the same boons - well that's up to you right? Your players might not like you much if you did though...