Playing Solos with 4e D&D - Conversion rules

[zanshin]

Now i absolutely appreciate that this may not be everyones cup of tea, and for many people 4e D&D is a sign of all that is wrong in the RP universe.

I am a gaming magpie, and i can enjoy a bit of detail in my gaming (one of the reasons i enjoy T&T is the chrome - 15 different types of dagger, and the ability to add new rules/items etc to it so easily).

I have currently had a great deal of fun playing some 4e at my local gaming club and in my mates roleplay group. I really enjoy statting up new characters using the DDI character creator - it makes it very easy to create and use a 4 D&D character.

I therefore decided to see if i could create some rules for reinterpreting T&T solos to 4e.

Please find below the basic parameters i decided on.

[zanshin]

The experiment proceeds.

I used the following MR to standard 4e monster conversion kit. Round up in all cases.

Monsters Hits = MR
Monsters to hit Bonus = MR /5
Monster AC = 11 + (MR/6 ) + (Any Armour Points Mentioned/5 )
Monster NAD = 10 + (MR/7)
Monster Initiative = MR/10
Damage

1-9 = D4
10-19 = D6
20-29 = D8
30-39 = D10
40-49 = D12
50-69 = 2D8
70-89 = 2D10
90-109 = 2D12
110-129 = 4D6
130-149 = 3D10

SR's , start at DC12 for L1, increase by 3 each time. Use judgement as to appropriate skill or attribute for test. Not always easy when you dont know whats going to happen on a failure til you turn the para. Dungeoneering got used more than i expected.

Experience and stuff
Saving Roll = number rolled X Level of save
Monster Rating killed = XP
Attribute increases - Gain 50 gold or XP per point
Attribute Losses - Lose 50 gold or XP per point.

Con damage = hits lost, not attribute damage.

Buffalo Castle has so far claimed the lives of Malgar, Human Rageblood Barbarian,
and Warblade - a Warforged Ranger (two blade style). Malgar died amidst a swarm of rats. Warblade at the hands of a large Troll who was not swayed by his metallic charms.
Miranda , a dwarven battlerage Fighter, made it out alive. As did Slygh, my half orc rogue.
Slygh did so well that he is now half way through the (excellent) 'Escape from Ty-Gar' (which already has conversion rules for 3e D&D , making it quite easy to play through)

Good fun - despite the high hits and the surges of 4e characters, the constant threat of encounters, and the difficulty at consistently succeeding at saves make the solo a good challenge, especially once multiple monsters are involved. Anything awarding temporary hits is golden.
It plays quite fast and bloody - lots of hits on both sides.

[zanshin]

Now again , i appreciate that this is probably anathema to many, but i have started a thread on the RPG net site about this - i thought it is one way of acquainting all those D&Ders out there with the wonderful world of T&T.

It was also a way of refreshing my much loved solo's, and of working through my many concepts for 4e characters.

Any thoughts, ideas, reports of trials of this would be very welcome.

[jongjungbu]

Interesting idea. I hadn't though of trying to play a T&T Solo with 4e D&D rules. I suppose that might give me a reason to pop open those Wizard power cards that are collecting dust. But, I'm heading out of town for the holidays tomorrow morning, so I won't get a chance to try out your conversion formulas until later. Cool idea though.

[zanshin]

Thank you for your response, I look forward to hearing from you if you do have a chance to try it.

I realise i have not fully worked out how to convert proper characters in T&T solos to 4e.

Adds can be used as a proxy for MR and then work back from there I guess - double adds = MR; plus find a weapon equivalent and give them that damage from 4e and any proficiency bonus. Armour worn will boost AC, and Con = Hits.

That could work.

[zanshin]

Ok, realise this is largely for my own entertainment , but never mind!

High MR monsters become very deadly with the above conversion chart, but i'll treat that as a feature not a bug

Have lost 5 characters now to the ruthless nature of T&T solos . Slygh - a half orc rogue did best, getting to the 8A section of Beyond the Silvered pane, after succeeding at Buffalo Castle and Escape From Gy-Tar. The second centaur was too much for him.

Have modified saves a bit - Skill tests start at 12 , and go up by 3 a time; Defence tests start at 20 and go up by 3 a time. Still rolling a d20.

Statted creatures are now treated as follows

Hits = Con
To hit bonus = +1 + adds/3
AC = 11 + adds/3 + AP/5
NAD = 10 + adds/3
Damage = According to weapon type, then +1/10 adds
Initiative = Adds/5

[mahrundl]

Nov 27, 2009 11:47:05 GMT -5 zanshin said:

The second centaur was too much for him.

Yeah, I can never eat more than one myself...

[zanshin]

ROFL

[Vin Ahrr Vin]

It's an interesting concept, and I'm curious as to how it works out. D&D4E is such a different game from T&T that I had never thought to try to bridge the gap between the two. Give us updates!

[zanshin]

After further play I have modified monster damage at the top level down, as it was scaling too quickly.

Its really fun actually - I have discovered the optimal class to be Avenger, from the PHB 2. Unsurprising since they excell at solo fights:)

My Dwarven Avenger, Revaine, has now conquered the Mirror Marathon of Beyond the Silvered Pane and is a proud level 7 as a result. The customising nature of the Character Creator means i am able to give him the metal skin from the monolith and tweak stuff accordingly.

I appreciate the venn subset of T&T solo fans/4e d&d fans is quite small; but nevertheless there is some definite fun to be had here.

I also decided that where it was a matter of resistance on a save I would use the appropriate defence (fortitude, Reflex or Will)against the normal SR target - that seems to work ok and makes the D&D treasures you buy with your T&T gold more relevant.

[zanshin]

I have now formulated this into a conversion guide. If anyone wants a copy pm me with your email address and i'll forward it.

I dont expect to be overwhelmed in the rush!