Ask Wizards: 02/01/2008 (4e Social Combat?)

[PnP News Bot]

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Check out this new article Wizards of the Coast posted recently:

Ask Wizards: 02/01/2008 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4ask/20080201a)

Will there be social combat rules in 4E or some other system that allows for non-combat conflict resolution?

[Mulsiphix]

Another helpful answer. It is official people. The hate mail to the Ask Wizards team, well if I had actually sent any, has stopped. They're on track. I hope they can keep up the good work.

[fmitchell]

Unless their "social combat" becomes the new Grapple Rules.

I know, I know, I should stop with the negative waves already.

Still I can hear the stereotypical Third-Edition-Hater in my head: "Social combat rules? We didn't need social combat rules; we argued everything out the entire night, and we liked it." (And AD&D is still big; the hobby got small.)

Seriously, though, I don't know what they could offer apart from skill vs. skill rolls, maybe with some sort of "social hit points" or something to keep score. I just hope there won't be a Social Armor Class, Social Base Attack Bonus, etc.

[nijineko]

well, some people need guidance for social situations. after all, most of the socialites are out... ah... socializing rather than spending quality time roleplaying. ^^

[Mulsiphix]

The great thing about being a DM fmitchell is the ability to throw stuff you don't like out. I'm curious about it myself. Then again I'm not as protective of third edition as actual players.

[ffclubhero]

"Social combat?" Combat is always social, as I know of no one who goes about pounding the stuffing out of themselves. Except for Bruce Campbell, but, he's the man so he can do what he wants....

[Mulsiphix]

I agree combat is generally social which is exactly why I am so curious about what they're talking about. I wonder if they're talking about a specific system to deal with in-party fights :D

[Farcaster]

It kinda sounds like they are talking about diplomacy check type situations.

[rabkala]

Well, seeing that many people were unhappy with the bluff, intimidation, diplomacy,etc skills the way they were. People either threw them out and role played the situations, used it as an influence on role playing, or actually thought that their +42 to diplomacy meant they could talk down a raging Tarasque as the books made it appear. I would think this is meant to replace the 'broken' social skills.

Pathetic and sad, but social.

[Mulsiphix]

If that is the case I think that is a definite plus. As sick as it seems to me apparently quite a few people play Ptolus from a bureaucratic perspective. How you would get players together for such a game and how you would make it fun is beyond me. Maybe debate team nerds enjoy it?