I was recently playing a 3.5 campaign with my friends, and we've noticed that combat tends to take really long. We just played a 4 hour session, and 3 of those hours were combat! And I think it's because sometimes there's turns where we just swing at a minion, do some damage or miss, and that's it. I was thinking of maybe changing it so combat is a bit more visceral; people get fucked up a lot easier. What sort of things do you guys do to streamline it?
>>46080514
Stop accruing hit points at level 5 or so. Give anyone with full BAB half damage on a miss. This had the added bonus of making "stab it to death" remain a viable option a little later than usual.
>>46080514
Attacks now deal [BAB]X[Weapon damage] min 1x damage.
E.g. a level 3 fighter with a Longsword now deals 3d8+ Strength Modifier.
>>46080514
If you want fast combat, 3.5 is not for you.
Alternatively, end campaigns by level 5.
>>46080514
Option one: don't play 3.5. May I suggest OpenSix or MiniSix?
Option two: play 3.5 e6.
>>46080514
No, but seriously. If you want faster combat, you should be playing a different game.
>>46080514
1. Take 3.5 books
2. Put them into the garbage
3. Play a better game, preferably not d20, but if you must make it The 13th Age.
>>46080514
Play literally any game outside 4e with pre MM3 math or Pathfinder.
Tell your dumbass players to stop dicking around with their smartphones and actually plan their moves during other people's turns. I can't count the number of times I've seen a player spend minutes pondering what to do AFTER being told it's their turn.
Also, roll your attack dice and your damage dice at the same time.
And for fuck's sake have your goddamn AC written down, fuck.
