Originally posted by Jame:
So I'd still be interested, if someone teaches me the D20 mechanic. I'd prefer to use the OTU, but that's open.
Jame,
I'd be happy to show you the d20 ropes, they're really not that hard - Wizards tried to make the core mechanic
simpler with 3e, so it's easy to get a grip on. The hard part is usually choosing from the plethora of character creation options available - but a good character concept helps there.
If you can come up with the sort of character you'd prefer, it's easy to run the dice for the Prior History, see what choices that makes for you, and then choose the rest based on your character idea.
The basic d20 mechanic is this you have a Difficulty Class (a DC) that you need to meet, roll 1d20, add your skill bonus and see if you meet it.
For combat your skill bonus is your Base Attack Bonus (BAB), modified by your knowledge of the weapons you're using (represented by weapon feats - some of which can make you VERY good with a certain weapons in certain situations). The DC is set to your opponent's Armor Class (AC), and your roll is modified by distance (weapons have range bands, e.g. 10m, within 10m you are at +0, at 10m-20m you are at -2, at 20m-30m you are at -4, etc.), and then other factors like cover come into play.
If you don't have a skill, then either you can't do the task (e.g. brain surgery), or you just use your ability bonus (if you have one).
Sometimes you need to make a saving throw, this will either be for Fortitude, Reflexes, or Willpower. Appropriate ability scores give bonuses to you saves, as does your levels.
As your character goes up in level they get more skill points to spend on skills, sometimes can learn new feats, and usually increase in BAB and saving throws. They will also get more Stamina (the ability to take a bruinsing wound and keep going - think of it as an old boxer building up scar tissue and getting tougher as they age).
There are some ideas that are a little confusing, you have both class levels and character levels to track*, but the game is overall pretty easy to play.
* If I'm a 3rd level Marine, 2nd level Merchant, then my character levels are 3+2=5, and my class levels are either 3 or 2, depending upon which class is being used.
