Lower climbing DCs?

[tropic]

The climbing system is really awesome, but it seems like the DCs can be a little high.

A DC of 26-28 for a relatively standard wall face means that even a character with a +16 modifier (which, if we think of this as having +16 to tumble would imply a very nimble character) has a 50% chance of failure, and a PC with less is just going to be frustrated.

Additionally, the damage sustained for failure is roughly equivalent to being hit with a greataxe.

I suggest that climbing DCs be lowered. I also suggest that the damage penalties for failure be determined by the difference between the DC and the modified roll (so if you fail by 1, you aren't taking 20 damage for falling off the wall, but taking 2-3 to represent scrapes and bruises).

I think that lowering the DCs will make this excellent system enjoyable for more PCs. To state it another (somewhat punny) way, the DC should represent a hurdle and not a wall for all but the very clumsiest PCs.

[tropic]

A DC of 26-28 for a relatively standard wall face means that even a character with a +16 modifier (which, if we think of this as having +16 to tumble would imply a very nimble character) has a 50% chance of failure

To clarify what I meant here: Do we expect a character with essentially circus acrobat abilities to fail when climbing up a three or four meter face with the assistance of gear? A DC of 18 or so means he or she will succeed roughly 90% of the time, which seems appropriate to me.

[xXCrystal_Rose]

It's magic damage too, so a super greataxe! Doesn't matter how tough your stoneskin is, that ground below you is made of daggerlike diamond shards.

[Lenthis]

It's magic damage too, so a super greataxe! Doesn't matter how tough your stoneskin is, that ground below you is made of daggerlike diamond shards.

I don't mind the dc's as I have characters mannage them in full plate fine, I suggest you know that Efuss skill Acrobatics helps you with climbnig dc's so your 16 tumble fellow, if they were to put 10 into acrobatics which shows a general skill in avoiding and jumping and running, they would have a +26 on climbing, strength also gives +2 mod per +1 mod of strength.
 
So a Rogue with 14 strength 16 tumble and 10 acrobatics, would have a cool, +30 to climbing.
 
But- the magic damage is a tad odd, as when you hit the ground DR/DI should help you take that damage as you are not being hit by the magical force of the ground, you are being bludgened by it. So physical would make much more sence.

[MirrorMask]

I think an even simpler fix would be to make it a take 20 out of combat.  The only issue that could cause is keeping pc's without any tumble whatsoever from making those DC25+ checks, which may not be 'unfair' in and of itself being that a pc with nothing but some dex and str mods (like a wizard) should probably not be able to climb a cliff side anyway.  At least not without a little magic ;)

[Caster13]

A take 20 out of combat is a tad much. Climbing in and of itself is a dangerous activity which can have dire consequences (gravity is a harsh mistress, after all). Climbing without being distracted by combat should not guarantee success (for example, what if you grab onto a loose piece of rock for a handhold?).

I do agree that the DCs could be eased a bit more, however, maybe by 3-5 or so.

[One_With_Nature]

DCs are fine if you want to clinb you have to be willing to make the investment, and if you do +10 acrobatics along with tumble and any gear you can get hold of is more then enough to get by on. The only thing i would say is that the magical damage does seem a bit weird.

[Ebok]

The Dcs are somewhat random.

Climb the same wall over and over again, everytime it'll be different.

[Big Orc Man]

I'd be in favor of removing the armor penalties for it if possible, mainly because all it does is force players to strip naked.

[Deception]

I propose that your backpack weight should be a factor in this. So that an armour in your backpack would have the same penalties as wearing one, and allow stuff like e.g hauling your backpack up the rope with help from someone else to not render yourself completely handicapped.

[Pigadig]

Backpack weight is already a factor.

Edit: Rather, what percentage of your encumberance value is filled up. Or something along those lines.

[Valo56]

At the very least, it's not possible in my experience to climb if you have 250lb. or more carried. It will say this if you try and have that much or more.

[Porkolt]

I think the main problem here, like people have with many things they think are unfair, is that the system is very nontransparent.

A clearer explanation of the DCs involved would probably go a long way to still complaints.

[Egon the Monkey]

I would say to leave the base Climb DCs unchanged, but to make using a rope considerably easier. That way ropes mean that a relatively untrained PC can get up and down without failing a dozen checks, but you always need a trained or lucky PC to fix up the rope first.