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Spells & Levels:
tries to clear up another common rules misinterpretation. The last
sentence states [a] spell used once may not be reused in the same
day. It would seem, however, questions continued to linger
regarding spell use and memorization. As a result, Gygax wrote an FAQ
to clarify. This FAQ, titled QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS RULES, appears on pp. 3-4 in The
Strategic Review Vol. 1, No. 2 (Summer 1975). Reader should
recall material appearing in the SR and early Dragon magazines
was considered official, though this status varies somewhat
throughout the run of the latter.
Alternative Combat System
Here we run into another interpretation issue.
This section gives us two attack matrices; one for men attacking and
based around the PC or NPC level; and one for monsters using the
creature’s Hit dice. So, what is a monster? We ask this because we must
understand the answer to use the ACS. It is, after all, based upon
whether it is a man or monster attacking. According to p. 12 of this
volume of rules:
Note, however, that the
term “monster” includes men found in the dungeons, so in this way
some high-level characters can be brought into a character’s
service (...)
This introduces the idea any encountered entity
not a player-character is a
monster. But would an NPC Swordsman (3rd
Level Fighting-Man) attack using the first column of Matrix I or the
third (or, taking into account the +1 to his hit dice, the fourth)
column of Matrix II? If the referee uses Matrix one that NPC requires
a roll of 17 or better to hit a target clad in plate and carrying a
shield. Treating him as a monster, the same NPC only needs a 15 (or
13, depending on how the referee counts his Hit Dice).
Weapon
Damage:
at the bottom of Matrix I we get our sole rule for weapon damage; 1–6
points damage unless otherwise noted.
Combat Progression: the Matrix I
table is based around Fighting-Men and their progression in ability.
Other classes will improve in combat proficiency at slower speeds.
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