Frequently Asked Questions

Page Last Updated September 18, 2006

If you have a specific question, use your browser's Find (on this page) feature to look for key terms.

* Administration * General Game Play * Rules Clarifications * 3.5 Conversion * Miscellaneous * Gems of Knowledge * Web Site * Item Creation *

Administration

Under what guidelines was the League founded?

The FCS Gaming League was founded with certain principles and guidelines in mind. They are listed here as an aid to understanding why some rules exist and why some extensions to Dungeons & Dragons are not allowed. Any changes to the rules for the League must still comply with these guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact Chris at gaming@firstduty.com.

1. Multiple Characters: One of the issues i have with RPG campaigns is that the number of game masters in any one area is very limited. Therefore, you only have the opportunity to join a very limited number of games. In each game you usually only play one character. In my opinion, this doesn't allow you to explore as many facets of an RPG as you may like. The very first principle i wanted to work with was the opportunity to play multiple characters. By putting together a team of characters, you get to explore many more classes, skills, and abilities. It also decreases the urge to build a "super character" that can do everything. By putting together a well rounded team, you can cover most situations.
2. Multiple GMs: I want to give people the opportunity to GM or try GM'ing without committing to a long term campaign.
3. Standard Rules: For good or ill, we all have our house rules when we game. This works well if you build a character for single campaign. Or if you can convince your new GM to let in your character. But for the most part, we end up tossing or recreating characters every time we start a new campaign. By sticking as close to possible with the standard rules, people can bring in characters from other campaigns or use these characters elsewhere later. We will of course need some house rules to cover odd situations or book errata, but for the most part i want the standard rules used. I count these to be those in the DMG, PHB, Monster Manual, and base set WoTC hardcover books. Classes, skills, feats, and spells may be allowed in so long as the League has a copy of it and it is approved by the League.
4. Social Gaming: One of the great things about an RPG is that you are actually interacting with other people. Many campaigns run for extended periods of time and require that you make the commitment for the length of the campaign. This occasionally becomes more like an obligation than a recreation. I want a setup where people can come and go without feeling like they are tied down.
5. Tournament Gaming: One thing i had seen at conventions was the increase in player attention to the game when RPGs were in a tournament style. I hadn't seen a lot of that in this area and i wanted to introduce it. With this in mind, i want to create an environment where there is competition. Enough to keep the games interesting and driven, but not enough to create contention and hostility.

How often are the League games?

When a member decides that they would like to GM a game, they schedule it through the coordinator (me). Once we've finalized the details, the event is posted on the web site. IF A GAME IS ON THE WEB SITE, IT HAPPENS. All events must be posted at least 14 days prior to the event (no exceptions). Since it's creation in December 2001, the League has hosted more than 50 games. We are averaging about 2 - 5 games a month now. If one or more players want a game, and they see a gap in the schedule, they can ask the coordinator to schedule a game. He'll check with the GMs to see who is available.

What are the financial obligations of the League?

There are two levels of League Membership. Paid Membership ($15.00/yr) allows for additional prizes and privileges, but is not required. Free membership is available to anyone that plays in a game.

If i cannot find the answer to my question on this site, who do i contact?

Christopher J. Ford
FCS Gaming League Coordinator
gaming@firstduty.com

Game Play in General

How does this "play a whole team / adventuring party at once" concept works?

The FCS Gaming League is based on several key concepts. Three (3) aspects of those guidelines apply to this question.

1. Allow players to play a diverse array of characters. One of the down-sides to a standard campaign is that a player is confined to a single character. Since parties are usually small, players are usually forced to enhance that character to help it, and the party, survive. Players move from character to character as one dies or gets phased out, but you can still only explore one character experience at a time. The result can be super strength characters that make little sense from a role-playing perspective. Or a game that eventually dies because the players get bored.

2. Allow members to both play and GM. Everyone likes to play. But occasionally, players gets an idea for a game they would like to run. Do they start their own campaign? If they don't have the time, do they need to give up playing in order to run the campaign. By allowing a freestyle gaming schedule, members can both GM and play in a common setting. This keeps people interested longer.

3. Promote GM Participation. A problem faced by every region is a lack of game masters. This is for several reasons. In addition to people liking to play, being a GM requires a large commitment of time and effort. A player may spend a few hours updating their character and playing in the game, but a GM does that for each adventure and each NPC within it. The League provides a setting in which you may GM games without committing to a long term campaign or to a regular schedule. This makes it ideal for parents that have changing schedules, students whose schedules change each semester, and gamers who like to play in multiple genres and systems.

In support of #1 above, the League promotes the concept of a player fielding a "team" rather than just a single character. This allows a player to explore a variety of character types without having to create a single uber strength character merely so it can survive. A "team" is one to several characters who have agreed to adventure together. A team may be controlled by one or more players. Two people could field a single team for example. In addition, a player may have several teams, though they may only field one at a time.

For example: Allison decides that she would like to create a new team. She decides to spread her allotted 105,000XP over three characters: a high level bard, a fighter, a rogue. She likes to sing and feels the bard will be fun to play. It will help her express her personality through the character. In addition, bards can lend support to multiple team members. She also believes that a rogue would be helpful for recon and getting into places. And you always need some brute strength in a party.

One of the hardest ideas for new members to get their minds around is the concept of adventuring with a party of teams; essentially a party of parties. But that's exactly what you end up doing. And the interplay between those teams and the individual characters keeps things interesting.

Is there competition or cooperation between players at the table, and other players in the League?

All of the above. The interplay between the teams runs the field. Some adventures are cooperative and some are competitive. In addition, some teams have formed alliances. Others have declared war against each other. This isn't abused as much as you might think. Remember, there are other players and teams at the table. They have no intention of being next on one player's hit list.

Championship games have actual prizes and regular games might have prizes. And characters have opportunities to acquire additional money, items, and XP.

Why would i want to create multiple teams?

One of the reasons to play with a team of characters is to add variety to your strategy. You might want a different type of team for different types of adventures. A team of rogues might be a good solution for a retrieval mission. A well rounded team might be best for a search and rescue.

Why create a team with multiple characters when a single character team advances faster?

A single character team is best for some situations. And it does advance faster. And the treasure does get split fewer ways. But it's also putting all of your eggs in one basket. Lose that one character and you lose your entire team. A multiple character team acting as a unit can accomplish a lot.

Can i make a new team with a 15th level character and 3 - 1st level characters?

The lowest level character you can add to a team, without the success exception, is second level. If you use all 105,000 XP on a 15th level character, that's the initial team. Remember that you can add characters later on.

What is the success exception?

With the first success of each season, you may add a 1st level character to your team. This is the ONLY way to add a 1st level character to your team as anything except a hireling.

How do you handle hirelings, cohorts, followers, and dominated dweebs on the teams?

Hirelings are people you hire for specific jobs. They receive set pay, and maybe hazard pay, but share in none of the treasure or XP. Cohorts are part of your team and must be brought in using the normal rules for team building. However, the status of a cohort on the team is usually less than that of a full member. As a rule, they get less XP and a smaller share of the treasure. Followers are handled differently depending on how you deal with them. If these are fans that affect your back story only, have as many as you like. However, if they go adventuring with you, they become hirelings or cohorts depending on their role. If you have someone dominated or enthralled, we're still working on that one. The biggest thing is how do you use them. If you are treating them as a full team member, then you need to bring them in under the rules and spend the XP. However, creatures not operating under their own will should usually be treated as hirelings that get no pay. Remember that even dominated creature incur expenses for food, lodging, etc..

How do i determine which character i play on the day it is time to play?

You may field as many members of your team as you wish. The GM may ask that people limit this number under some circumstances. You are asked to comply with this request if possible. An example would be if more players show up than expected, the GM may be willing to allow all players to participate if the number of characters per team is reduced. This is especially encouraged if there are new people at the table. This is entirely the GM's call and they have final say. Only they know if the adventure can be completed on time for a certain number of characters or players.

If the adventure is designed for 7th level characters, and all i have is a 14th level character and a 2nd level character, which one do i play? The 14th or the 2nd?

You may field as many team members as you wish. If a GM decides to run a Novice level game, you will find some characters fielded at 15th level and some at much lower levels.

For example: Let's say you make a team with a 14th level character (91,000xp), a 5th level character (10,000xp), and 4 second level characters (1,000xp each). Alex decides to GM a Novice level game with a danger rating of 4. This is rough on lower level characters. So you decide, that for some reason that makes sense to your team, that the 4 second level characters will not be joining the session. You field the 14th and 5th for the game (thus playing 2 characters). Now Tran decides to GM a Novice level game with a danger rating of 2. This is much safer. So you decide everyone gets to play. For that session you field the whole team (thus playing 6 characters).

Obviously, the more characters that you field during the session, the harder it is to role-play and the more you have to split your treasure. However, more characters also means more chance for gain and less chance of losing an entire team.

What system do i use for rolling up ability scores?

You may use any system you wish from the PHB or DMG. Stats are on an honor system. Most people use 4d6, re-roll 1's once. If you use the point buy system, remember to use 28 points and not the 25 listed.

Are the Champion rings magic for purposes of the two-ring limit, or are the rings normal and the tears slotless wondrous items?

The rings were specifically created as non-magical items so that they did not count against the limit. The tears are technically "carried" by the ring and are not in use until you use one (like you had it in a backpack or pouch). They do not take up any slots anymore than the wand stashed in your shirt pocket does.

Rules Clarifications

When my Savage Species monstrous character reaches ECL 21, is he considered Epic?

In short, the character gains access to Epic benefits, but is not an Epic character. Page 25 of the Epic Level Handbook, bottom-right corner, states:

"Regardless of its ECL, a monster with class levels uses the base attack bonus and base save progressions of its class until it has 20 character levels. Beginning with its 21st character level, it uses the progressions shown on Table 1-1.

In any other place in this book (the Epic Level Handbook) where "character level" is indicated, you can use effective character level instead. For example, a creature with a level adjustment of +5 who is also a 13th-level fighter/3rd-level blackguard is ECL 21 and eligible to select an epic feat provided he meets the prerequisites."

RPGA Living Greyhawk: In the LG games, how many players are needed for a valid game?

A minimum of 4 players is required. At one point, it had been 3, but that changed.

RPGA Living Greyhawk: Can I create a Savage Species character for LG like i did for my FCSGL team?

No. Savage Species is not approved for player characters in LG. Only GMs and the Triads have access to books like Savage Species.

I'm confused! Exactly how much can i sell back an item for if i have a champion's ring?

See the League Merchant Rules for selling back items. It was updated in January 2004 to help alleviate any confusion. The average person, NPC, assistant, apprentice, and hireling may sell an item for about 50% of its market value. A local hero and adventurer, in other words a member of your team with no ring, may sell back an item for about 60% of its market value. Once a character participates in a successful adventure and gains a gold ring, they become a champion. A champion with a gold ring may sell back an item for about 70% of its market value. A character in possession of a platinum ring may sell back an item for about 75% of its market value. A platinum ring is very rare in the League and seeing one should cause you pause. Maybe for respect. Or maybe for fear. But do not take the person lightly. The only way to gain a platinum ring is to be successful in a championship game.

What does it mean to say that the "Psionics are Different" rule is not in effect?

I'll refer you to the rules for creating a new team under the Novice category. There is a more detailed explanation there. For the most part, it means that psionics and magic are similar.

Do magic items get a saving throw? I thought that items my character carried used the character's saving throw.

Magic items get a saving throw against spells that cause them damage. The saving throw modifier is 2 + 1/2 Caster Level of the item. Intelligent items use their own Wisdom modifier. Mundane items take 1/2 damage from acid, fire, and electrical attacks (divide by 2 before applying hardness), 1/4 damage from cold damage (divide by 4 before applying hardness), and full damage from sonic attacks. Depending on the spell, items may also use the character's saving throws or automatically save if the character saves. Ask the GM if you are unsure.

What modifiers do and do not stack?

For the most part, any two types of modifiers with the same name do not stack. Here are some examples.

• A +2 Ring of Protection (Deflection Bonus) stacks with Mage Armor (Armor Bonus).
• Eagle's Splendor (Enhancement Bonus - Ability) does not stack with the Cloak of Charisma (Enhancement Bonus - Ability).

I want to create magic items for my team, but the costs in the books do not match the price for the final item. How do i figure the creation cost for my item?

There are a few things to remember when creating magic and mundane items. We have come up with these over the period since Edition 3.0 was released.

• Do not get hung up on the fact that the formulas for creating items do not match most of the final prices in the books. There was a lot of fudging by WotC in the name of "Game Balance". The result is a confusing system. You are not alone! If you hit a real dead end, just send a note to the coordinator.
• Remember to count in the cost of making the item Masterwork. You will need to do this for most armor, weapons, and high quality items. This adds 300gp to weapons and 150gp to armor.
• Remember that you can reduce the cost of an item by as much as 10 - 30% by placing a restriction on it. A single restriction, like use by a single race, can get you a 10% discount. Restricting it to a specific class, race, and alignment could get you 30% off the market value and thus the cost.
• Making the item usable only a few times a day can reduce the cost further. An item usable only once a day for a limited time could reduce the market value by up to 80%.
• Slotless items and items with a second non-similar power are double the cost.
• Always look at the time and XP you will need to expend to create the item. Sometimes, it's easier to get gold than XP. Why save 10,000gp on an item if creating is going to cost you the XP and treasure from an adventure?
• Remember that you cannot adventure while creating an item. Schedule the creation time wrong and you may take your character out of action. Having teams with multiple characters can help here. Beginning with Edition 3.5, you can however work on an item in a non-continuoes manner. For example: An item will take 5 days to create. Your work on it 3 days. Adventure for a month. And work on it for 2 days.
• Don't forget that 5,000gp gem when creating an item! Some magic items call for spells with expensive components. The cost for these components, or the components themselves, must be provided. An item that is continual or has 100 charges requires 100 castings of the spell and thus 100 copies of these components.
• If you have any doubts about your cost for making an item, contact the coordinator.
• If your calculated market value for an item turns out to be more than the final value in the books, use the one in the books (so long as they are fully identical).

For an initial Novice team, can you have a +1 weapon with a +1 special ability as long as the weapon is still under 3,000gp?

This situation would never occur, so the answer is no. A +1 enhancement bonus with a +1 ability would give a +2 bonus for market price. +2 would be +8,000gp placing it beyond the 3,000gp limit.

Edition 3.5 Conversion

As of the beginning of Season 5, all new characters added to your team MUST comply with the Edition 3.5 standard. You are not required to convert an existing character. However, some aspects will change whether or not you convert the character. These include Spells, Skills, Feats, Item Abilities, and Item Values. If you choose to convert one aspect of a character not listed, such as favored class or racial bonuses, then you must convert ALL of that character. It's all or nothing. Here is a brief explanation of how to convert your existing character to 3.5 if you are inclined to do so. Note that this chart is meant to be used with the PHB and DMG.

Edition 3.5 will be implemented. With this, the following changes will occur. If any change makes a current team or character illegal, and the player cannot adjust for it without harming the character, that team/character MAY be considered grandfathered in. All new teams must comply with these rules.

• All spells, magic items, feats, and skills affected by Edition 3.5 will alter accordingly.
• If Edition 3.5 changes the favored class for your race, you may choose to use the original favored class for that existing character. In other words, favored classes are being grandfathered in. You may of course switch to the new favored class if that is more beneficial, but once you do so, you may not go back. If you choose to convert the favored class, you must convert the entire character.
• Anything derived from Dragon Magazine or the WotC Web Site and lists prior to June 1, 2003 is now null and void. If it didn't make the books, it is no longer accepted as part of the standard. This includes Prestige Classes, items, feats, spells, etc.. We will grandfather in the Prestige Classes for existing characters. But remember that due to changes in the feats and spells, the benefits/curses of the class may be altered. If you choose to convert anything from these sources, you must convert the entire character.
• If you choose to convert a character to 3.5 rather than grandfather them in, then all of the character is converted. The reverse is also true. It's all or nothing.
   

Miscellaneous

This category will temporarily contain new questions until they are placed in a final category. Look here for new additions.

Site Management and Design Copyright 2004 - 2008 Ford Computing Services, Mayfield NY U.S.A. Copyright 2001 - 2004 Ford Computing Services, Amsterdam NY U.S.A. Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, Greyhawk (and other campaign settings), and RPGA are registered trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. See the Credit Gallery for additional third party Copyright, Trademark, and License information. All other rights reserved by Ford Computing Services and the FCS Gaming League. All members and site users acknowledge and affirm that they have read and agreed to the site policies by use of this site and/or participation in League events. If you do not agree with the poilicies of this site or the League, you are required to leave this site immediately. Webmaster fcs@firstduty.com.