Approach for D&D by email? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Approach for D&D by email? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Legendarius
09-30-07, 04:32 PM Hello.

I'm toying with the idea of running a D&D game over email with a few of my friends. If we assume a general V3.5 D&D rule set, how can it best be compressed down to work over email?

What mechanisms have people used for resolving tests?

Have you used the honor system where you trust when you tell them to roll a D20 and they say 15 that they actually rolled it?

Have you given them a set amount of points that they can use to generate a die result as they see fit as long as they deduct a valid amount from their pool? So if it's a D20 roll they can take anything from 1 to 20 points off of their pool. When the pool reaches zero it resets.

Have the DM generate all die results and tell them what happens?

Some other mechanic?

I would assume you'd want to minimize the standard rules that are based off of miniature combat/the grid.

Since the game cannot be real time and use a virtual table top how do you keep encounters from taking days per round?

thoughts?
L
SokenzanMarauder
09-30-07, 04:53 PM For die rolls I recommend invisiblecastle.com.

As for the combat grid, depending on how diligent you want to be, you can do the following (be sure to use the courier / couriernew font for this):

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+

Doing the above for a grid you can use letters and symbols as various locational information.

-----

As for encounters taking days, that's one of the penalties for playing by email/board it takes forever to resolve most combats as there are few, if any, ways to avoid it.

Cheers,
-Gene
tariff
09-30-07, 05:22 PM My group does use a VT for a game that is the same in concept as a play by email game.

Infact, we started off using email.

My group uses the Klooge virtual tabletop. Players log in when they want and "leave" thier turns. The dm the processes when he can.

Similarly to play by email, progress is slow. But, i think this method is probally slightly faster. Also, using klooge means the players have access to the following...

1: A map
2: Character sheets
3: Die roller

And thats just the basics.

With klooge the player can target a creature, roll to hit, the program tells them if they hit or not..

Initiative is tracked also, there is also a calender..Spells, potions etc can all be hotkeyed, handouts etc can be placed on the map for players to click and read.

I really couldnt go back to using email.

Personally, i love playing DnD this way. Its great for my group cos we are all scattered, i find that players seem to roleplay alot more (they will log in, say a few lines of roleplay text, do thier action or whatever)

We have been playing this way for 3 years, and once or twice the entire group has been online at the same time (8 players), and we have done a few turns "real time", but thats it.

Anyways, my website has a few details, mostly for new players. It might give you a indication of what you can do with a VT for that type of game.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tariff/TariffMana.htm
Ultima0071
09-30-07, 05:39 PM What about AIM or another messager? You can have video chat (if you want), talk (if you want), and exchange pictures (maps, player pictures, etc). Plus you can have a long instant post.
Ariakus
09-30-07, 06:52 PM I've been running and playing in email games for about 10 years now, one campaign of mine is still going now and I started it in Oct 2000.

Point buy system is the best way to keep them honest while creating the character, and the DM makes the rest of the rolls unless you want the players to make their own search,spot, listen checks...then you just have to trust them and have them use a dice server like Irony.com or something.

And for combat grids and such, there are plenty of map tools on the net, check out the Thread for Digital D&D http://forums.gleemax.com/forumdisplay.php?f=39 Or if you want to go simple, just use Paintshop (if you have Windows) and create a grid..."print screen" and paste it in your email and crop it to fit...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Legendarius 09-30-07, 04:32 PM	Hello. I'm toying with the idea of running a D&D game over email with a few of my friends. If we assume a general V3.5 D&D rule set, how can it best be compressed down to work over email? What mechanisms have people used for resolving tests? Have you used the honor system where you trust when you tell them to roll a D20 and they say 15 that they actually rolled it? Have you given them a set amount of points that they can use to generate a die result as they see fit as long as they deduct a valid amount from their pool? So if it's a D20 roll they can take anything from 1 to 20 points off of their pool. When the pool reaches zero it resets. Have the DM generate all die results and tell them what happens? Some other mechanic? I would assume you'd want to minimize the standard rules that are based off of miniature combat/the grid. Since the game cannot be real time and use a virtual table top how do you keep encounters from taking days per round? thoughts? L
SokenzanMarauder 09-30-07, 04:53 PM	For die rolls I recommend invisiblecastle.com. As for the combat grid, depending on how diligent you want to be, you can do the following (be sure to use the courier / couriernew font for this): +--+--+--+--+--+ \| \| \| \| \| \| +--+--+--+--+--+ \| \| \| \| \| \| +--+--+--+--+--+ \| \| \| \| \| \| +--+--+--+--+--+ \| \| \| \| \| \| +--+--+--+--+--+ \| \| \| \| \| \| +--+--+--+--+--+ Doing the above for a grid you can use letters and symbols as various locational information. ----- As for encounters taking days, that's one of the penalties for playing by email/board it takes forever to resolve most combats as there are few, if any, ways to avoid it. Cheers, -Gene
tariff 09-30-07, 05:22 PM	My group does use a VT for a game that is the same in concept as a play by email game. Infact, we started off using email. My group uses the Klooge virtual tabletop. Players log in when they want and "leave" thier turns. The dm the processes when he can. Similarly to play by email, progress is slow. But, i think this method is probally slightly faster. Also, using klooge means the players have access to the following... 1: A map 2: Character sheets 3: Die roller And thats just the basics. With klooge the player can target a creature, roll to hit, the program tells them if they hit or not.. Initiative is tracked also, there is also a calender..Spells, potions etc can all be hotkeyed, handouts etc can be placed on the map for players to click and read. I really couldnt go back to using email. Personally, i love playing DnD this way. Its great for my group cos we are all scattered, i find that players seem to roleplay alot more (they will log in, say a few lines of roleplay text, do thier action or whatever) We have been playing this way for 3 years, and once or twice the entire group has been online at the same time (8 players), and we have done a few turns "real time", but thats it. Anyways, my website has a few details, mostly for new players. It might give you a indication of what you can do with a VT for that type of game. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tariff/TariffMana.htm
Ultima0071 09-30-07, 05:39 PM	What about AIM or another messager? You can have video chat (if you want), talk (if you want), and exchange pictures (maps, player pictures, etc). Plus you can have a long instant post.
Ariakus 09-30-07, 06:52 PM	I've been running and playing in email games for about 10 years now, one campaign of mine is still going now and I started it in Oct 2000. Point buy system is the best way to keep them honest while creating the character, and the DM makes the rest of the rolls unless you want the players to make their own search,spot, listen checks...then you just have to trust them and have them use a dice server like Irony.com or something. And for combat grids and such, there are plenty of map tools on the net, check out the Thread for Digital D&D http://forums.gleemax.com/forumdisplay.php?f=39 Or if you want to go simple, just use Paintshop (if you have Windows) and create a grid..."print screen" and paste it in your email and crop it to fit...