The simple solution would be to minimize combat as much as possible, and focus your game on "role-playing" rather than "roll-playing". But, this isn't a perfect solution because some players like the hack-and-slash aspect of D&D. So, another thing you could do would be to have the GM roll all dice, and just have the players give general descriptions of what their characters are doing (ie I'll fight until I loose half my hit points, then retreat).
-Ed
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
On 2/10/02 at 1:28 AM Dave Zumwalt wrote:
>Okay then. Here's a situation I need help with.
>
>I would like to run a PBEM 3rd Edition D&D adventure. But I do not wish
>for
>the game mechanics, especially rolling dice for each combat action, to
>slow
>the game down. In face-to-face pen and paper, battles can sometimes take
>an
>hour. If the players and I have to roll dice and email the results back
>and
>forth, or use one those dice server things, battles will probably take
>weeks. I need help coming up with a solution.
>
>One thing I tried was making up homemade combat rules that don't involve
>dice. Basically, every roll is a ten. If thats over the needed number it's
>a
>damage bonus. If it's less is a damage penalty. Each hit or spell does
>average damage to the monsters who have average hit points. Everybody
>"Takes
>Ten" on saving throws and skill checks unless they can "Take Twenty." I
>thought this would be slick, even allowing me to fast forward the combats
>and post results from multiple rounds of combat. However, I convinced only
>two players to try my system. What do you think of it?
>
>What other tricks do you know of that speed play? I suppose I could do all
>the rolling myself as DM, but the temptation to fudge the results would be
>high.
>
>Any advice from your own play by email experiences would be greatly
>appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>Dave
>
>
>----Original Message Follows----
>From: "Karen Cravens"
>Reply-To: gamers@phoenyx.net
>To: gamers@phoenyx.net
>Subject: Re: GM: How does your site work?
>Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2002 22:43:15 CST
>
>On 9 Feb 2002 at 19:18, Dave Zumwalt wrote:
>
> > I would like to enter a discussion topic and get advice from experienced
> > play by email players and game masters. I don't know how to start a new
> > thread.
>
>You just did.
>
>--
>Karen J. Cravens (silver@phoenyx.net)
>
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