Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lincoln_hills Jul 19, 2004 19:52:28	Q: Okay, what's a 3B system? A: That's short for "three book." It refers to a campaign style in which you as DM have the absolute minimum of books. In D&D 3.whatever, that usually means three books, hence the name. Q: But - but - my prestige classes! My feats! A: Yes. The 3B system relies on a DM who has an adventure, and two to ten players intent on demolishing that adventure. Old school stuff. To play under 3B means that the players are not looking for new prestige classes or feats: they're concentrating on their characters as they are. And there are benefits for the DM as well... Q: Like what, having to make it all up himself? A: Would you agree that a DM who knows his rules plays better than one who doesn't? Q: Well DUH. A: Every time a new book is "admitted" to the campaign, your DM's total knowledge of the rules decreases. Substantially, if he hasn't had time to read and memorize (or at least assimilate) every portion of the new rules. With 3B, the DM is freed from ever-expanding expectations. He's also freed from having to buy new shelves to support all those optional books. Q: It sounds like you're limiting what the DM can do in his campaign. A: Only the DM himself can do that. Here's a secret that lies at the heart of the 3B system - and, for that matter, 1st Edition: If no official rule exists, you're free to make somethin' up. 3rd Ed was such an excellent job (IMO) that I think a lot of us got out of the habit of filling in the little corners ourselves. Or - look at it this way. Let's say instead of DMing, you compose music for a string quartet. And every time you go back to the quartet with a piece of music in hand, you learn that more people have shown up with more instruments. And not just string instruments: they're bringing in bongo drums and nose flutes and those big, uh, you know, the Swiss things. Q: Alpenhorns? A: Thank you. Now - it's nice to compose for the Philharmonic, if your personal time allows for that, but it's not REALLY what you set out to do. Q: But you're limiting the players - those of us who want to run a Fighter - Weapon Master - Deepwoods Sniper with the Kami's Spirit and Psionic Fist feats, and exotic weapon feats for the caber and the kusari-gama... A: That is entirely true. That particular combination would have to be edited to fall in line with 3B. Would it alter your character's personality, attitudes, enemies list, experience level or hair color? Q: Um... it wouldn't be the guy I created anymore. A: The rules behind the character would be much simpler. You might lose the most exotic abilities - always assuming the source of those abilities can't be translated into 3B - but the character would be simpler to run. One reason I've developed the 3B concept is that the 3.0 (and 3.5) characters always tend toward increasing complexity. There's no longer the focus on WHO your character is: you're too busy worrying about WHAT he is - or, worse yet, you're planning seven levels ahead about what he will someday be. Q: I'm not sure whether this concept is radical... or reactionary. A: Try it for an adventure or two. Design a mini-campaign if you're wary. I think you'll be surprised how entertaining the "simplified" game can be. - oh, and for you reluctant player-types, I should point out one more thing... Q: Yeah? A: 3B means that your DM can no longer grant those same bizarre prestige classes, feats, and spells to your enemies, either. Thank you Cleveland! Good night!
#2 zombiegleemax Jul 29, 2004 8:53:14	Nice article. I would like to point out also that with this '3B' system, it isn't a matter of beating adventures one after another. Campaigns can be formed and quite in-depth, but the DM does have more time to develop those campaigns instead of keeping up on splatbooks and 3rd party material. We've been playing a 3B system for quite some time now and have developed quite the campaign and enjoy it. By not using other feats and prestige classes from optional material, DMs also have time to make up campaign specific prestige classes and feats that give the campaign a much more unique feel.