Discuss the Turn/Rebuke Undead mechanic

[Turanil]

After reading a thread (elsewhere) about the Pathfinder game, and remembering reading complaints about the Turn Undead mechanic (in CnC), I wanted to know how people feel on the subject :

-- Do you like the CnC Turn/Rebuke Undead game mechanic as is.

-- If not, what would be your fixing/houserule to it?

-- What do you think of the following (Pathfinder) system: "Turn Undead deals 1d6 points per two cleric levels of positive energy, which damage undead and heal living creatures. Rebuke deals negative energy so heal undead and damage the living."
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[jaguar451]

Well, my C&C PH is in the mail and I haven't played anything "RPG" besides Neverwinter Nights and a little Star Frontiers in the last ~15 years, so below comments are more theoretical than from experience....

To me, the Pathfinder RPG Turning mechanic sounds quite interesting, and something I'll try to incorporate when I start playing. Another source of healing that isn't overpowered (IMO), sounds good. And the impact all in the area of effect can bring up interesting conundrums in combat -- heals friends & foes alike....

[gideon_thorne]

Someone mentioned something like this in some other thread. I thought it was a sound idea myself. And entirely appropriate out of the box thinking for those wanting to redefine the cleric a bit.
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"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley

[serleran]

I see some flaws in it, but they are ones I would prefer to not mention, again... so, if you like it: yay. I, personally, think the concept is the antithesis of weal.

[bighara]

I think the turn mechanic is fine. (Sorry boring but true )

EDIT: to clarify, I meant the C&C mechanic. I dislike the Pathfinder one described above for much the same reasons serleran describes below.

[serleran]

The way I see it: if this is meant to keep the cleric from being "the heal tank," its a far cry from doing that. If anything, it reinforces it. Of course, there is also that problem of not having healing spells prepared and facing down no undead - but, I bet Pathfinder will keep the d20 spontaneous casting rule, at which point, this turning thing is just even more healing... which makes me wonder if characters are expected to ever suffer damage and die.

[pactmaster]

I am sticking with the C&C rules. Anything from 4e will have to be strained and scrutinized closely under a magnifying glass before it comes near my C&C.
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[BLOOD AXE]

I like the original turning rules. I don't like the idea of free damage & healing. Clerics already have a chance to destroy undead by turning.

To help combat undead in my campaign I had Holy water do a bit more damage. Also if undead were touched by a holy symbol they would be burned/hurt. I guess I've read to many modern horror novels(no magic weapons) where holy water hurt Vampires like acid and if they were touched by a cross they were burned.

To each there own. You are the CK inyour own campaign. You don't need others permission or approval to do what you want.

[serleran]

I do like the idea of other classes turning certain types of undead... notably vampire spawn. They would not get level added to the check.

[Pdiddy]

I like the Pathfinder turn undead/positive energy burst idea but I am not going to use it. I have added the idea that a cleric can chose two of his deities domain powers - that I stole from someone's website (I don't remember whose though so thanks whoever you are). The Turn Undead ability is the Good domain power and Control Undead is the evil domain power. If I were to changing these to positive/negative energy burst as per the Pathfinder Alpha rules it would really give those domains an extra power.

[gideon_thorne]

A thought for those who might find the application of this ability too broad. Might have this effect be something thats gained at some higher level.
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"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley