Origin of the Divine Ability Array [Archive] - Wizards Community

Origin of the Divine Ability Array [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tequila_Sunrise
03-06-08, 12:31 AM Has any designer ever mentioned how the official divine array was arrived at? (Other than "ehhh...that looks about right.")

Can anyone tell me how this forum/WizO BigSister arrived at its improved divine ability array? (Other than "we need bigger bonuses!")
BigGus
03-06-08, 08:21 PM I read a while ago in something official that they started with a Titan's ability scores, and modified them for race, level etc. Unfortunately I can't remember right now where it was, but I'm certain that's what they said.

As for your second question, I don't have a clue what you're talking about.
Tequila_Sunrise
03-07-08, 01:31 AM Hm, the titan's abilities don't line up with the divine array even assuming that they changed from 3.0 to 3.5. Maybe the divine array was very loosely based on the titan's stats.

The forum divine array can be found here, (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=197789) shortly after the list of all the stated deities.
BigGus
03-07-08, 08:40 AM Found it! It's in the D&DG FAQ, page 2. (Infuriatingly, that was the first place I looked, but I somehow managed to miss it first time...).

They did use a Titan as the starting point, but there was one thing I forgot; you add on 1 point for every DvR they have, as well as all the usual bonuses. That might account for the difference.
Tequila_Sunrise
03-07-08, 10:35 AM Thanks, BigGus. I still don't think the titan "template" has anything to do with the divine array, but I didn't really expect there to be any rhyme or reason to it. The FAQ mentions the titan as a template and then two paragraphs later presents the divine array and the ability boosts for class levels and divine ranks.

Now I'd like to know why the designers started most deities "as 13 HD outsiders" and somehow also used the titan "as a starting point". :uh-huh: Oh well, I'll probably never know.

TS
BigGus
03-07-08, 05:50 PM Hmmm....reading through it again, I think I might have misunderstood the answer in the FAQ. I think the mention of the Titan is in reference to the "determining HD" part of the question, although I don't see where the 13HD bit comes in, considering that Titans have 20HD, and the deities in D&DG mostly have 20 outsider HD too. Go figure.

Since they don't explain where the divine ability array comes from, I now suspect they used the "ehhh...that looks about right" method you suggested.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tequila_Sunrise 03-06-08, 12:31 AM	Has any designer ever mentioned how the official divine array was arrived at? (Other than "ehhh...that looks about right.") Can anyone tell me how this forum/WizO BigSister arrived at its improved divine ability array? (Other than "we need bigger bonuses!")
BigGus 03-06-08, 08:21 PM	I read a while ago in something official that they started with a Titan's ability scores, and modified them for race, level etc. Unfortunately I can't remember right now where it was, but I'm certain that's what they said. As for your second question, I don't have a clue what you're talking about.
Tequila_Sunrise 03-07-08, 01:31 AM	Hm, the titan's abilities don't line up with the divine array even assuming that they changed from 3.0 to 3.5. Maybe the divine array was very loosely based on the titan's stats. The forum divine array can be found here, (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=197789) shortly after the list of all the stated deities.
BigGus 03-07-08, 08:40 AM	Found it! It's in the D&DG FAQ, page 2. (Infuriatingly, that was the first place I looked, but I somehow managed to miss it first time...). They did use a Titan as the starting point, but there was one thing I forgot; you add on 1 point for every DvR they have, as well as all the usual bonuses. That might account for the difference.
Tequila_Sunrise 03-07-08, 10:35 AM	Thanks, BigGus. I still don't think the titan "template" has anything to do with the divine array, but I didn't really expect there to be any rhyme or reason to it. The FAQ mentions the titan as a template and then two paragraphs later presents the divine array and the ability boosts for class levels and divine ranks. Now I'd like to know why the designers started most deities "as 13 HD outsiders" and somehow also used the titan "as a starting point". :uh-huh: Oh well, I'll probably never know. TS
BigGus 03-07-08, 05:50 PM	Hmmm....reading through it again, I think I might have misunderstood the answer in the FAQ. I think the mention of the Titan is in reference to the "determining HD" part of the question, although I don't see where the 13HD bit comes in, considering that Titans have 20HD, and the deities in D&DG mostly have 20 outsider HD too. Go figure. Since they don't explain where the divine ability array comes from, I now suspect they used the "ehhh...that looks about right" method you suggested.