ADHD rule in D&D. [Archive] - Wizards Community

ADHD rule in D&D. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Bartmanhomer
05-20-05, 05:36 PM This may sound a bit awkward but I read the Unearthed Arcana and I read so many symptoms like OCD and panic attacks. So is there a rule or a variant rule of ADHD?
Flushmaster
05-20-05, 08:21 PM A will save or concentration check to prevent being distracted by something? I'd guess that the DC would be mostly up to the DM's discretion based on circumstances. If this is the case and you trust the DM to be fair, the ADHD could be considered a flaw and give you an extra feat. Unearthed Arcana actually has a flaw that imposes penalties to any check that requires extended concentration (picking a complex lock, deciphering a long coded text, or anything else that takes longer than a round or so). Or something like that.
Arrowhen
05-21-05, 01:23 AM Unearthed Arcana actually has a flaw that imposes penalties to any check that requires extended concentration (picking a complex lock, deciphering a long coded text, or anything else that takes longer than a round or so).
Of course, don't forget that many people with ADHD hyperfocus: hen something does manage to catch our attention we concentrate on that to the exclusion of all else--many are the nights I've suddenly realized I should have gone to bed hours ago because I kept failing my will saves to tear myself away from the computer or the book or the guitar.
Callista
05-21-05, 12:19 PM That's true. I have ADD (no "H") and I do that myself. I think it only happens every once in a while, though; most of the time it's distraction.

How about an extra randomness factor on anything requiring concentration? (i.e., anything that would require a concentration roll)... Roll d100, and on 1-10 you get a -6, 11-80 you get a -2; on 80-90 you get a +2, on 91-100 you get a +6...

Something like that?

But then, that's just ADD. For ADHD, you'd have to add hyperactivity to the mix--I'd say some sort of skill penalty and bonus, maybe -2 to Hide and Move Silently in exchange for a +2 to Tumble?
Arrowhen
05-21-05, 05:10 PM Then, of course, there's the fact that when you're trying to concentrate on something you tend to notice every little sound around you. Your character could walk around constantly reading a boring math book and never be surprised again. ;)
Edymnion
05-21-05, 08:05 PM Don't forget to roll a percentile check to see if the character ACTUALLY has the disorder, of if they were just miss-diagnosed by a kickback happy doctor thats more interested in medicating people than actually treating them :P

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bartmanhomer 05-20-05, 05:36 PM	This may sound a bit awkward but I read the Unearthed Arcana and I read so many symptoms like OCD and panic attacks. So is there a rule or a variant rule of ADHD?
Flushmaster 05-20-05, 08:21 PM	A will save or concentration check to prevent being distracted by something? I'd guess that the DC would be mostly up to the DM's discretion based on circumstances. If this is the case and you trust the DM to be fair, the ADHD could be considered a flaw and give you an extra feat. Unearthed Arcana actually has a flaw that imposes penalties to any check that requires extended concentration (picking a complex lock, deciphering a long coded text, or anything else that takes longer than a round or so). Or something like that.
Arrowhen 05-21-05, 01:23 AM	Unearthed Arcana actually has a flaw that imposes penalties to any check that requires extended concentration (picking a complex lock, deciphering a long coded text, or anything else that takes longer than a round or so). Of course, don't forget that many people with ADHD hyperfocus: hen something does manage to catch our attention we concentrate on that to the exclusion of all else--many are the nights I've suddenly realized I should have gone to bed hours ago because I kept failing my will saves to tear myself away from the computer or the book or the guitar.
Callista 05-21-05, 12:19 PM	That's true. I have ADD (no "H") and I do that myself. I think it only happens every once in a while, though; most of the time it's distraction. How about an extra randomness factor on anything requiring concentration? (i.e., anything that would require a concentration roll)... Roll d100, and on 1-10 you get a -6, 11-80 you get a -2; on 80-90 you get a +2, on 91-100 you get a +6... Something like that? But then, that's just ADD. For ADHD, you'd have to add hyperactivity to the mix--I'd say some sort of skill penalty and bonus, maybe -2 to Hide and Move Silently in exchange for a +2 to Tumble?
Arrowhen 05-21-05, 05:10 PM	Then, of course, there's the fact that when you're trying to concentrate on something you tend to notice every little sound around you. Your character could walk around constantly reading a boring math book and never be surprised again. ;)
Edymnion 05-21-05, 08:05 PM	Don't forget to roll a percentile check to see if the character ACTUALLY has the disorder, of if they were just miss-diagnosed by a kickback happy doctor thats more interested in medicating people than actually treating them :P