The Edge (3.5e Variant Rule)
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Contents
The Edge
One of the problems with status effects in D&D is that they easily cause one to fall off the RNG. A -2 penalty to attacks doesn't seem very much, but those are easily available and once you stack them up they can easily cause you to constantly miss. Instead of that, this system create a way for people to gain or lose an edge to their attacks in a meaningful way that's easily seen without ever actually falling off the RNG.
Gaining Edge
Whenever an effect would cause you to gain edge, you roll twice when making an attack, the second roll at -6 to your original roll and take the higher roll. You can continue gaining edge up to an additional three times, each time reducing the penalty by 2 (up to a maximum of +0).
For example, if a fighter gained the edge twice against an opponent and attacked them, he would roll twice to see if he hit, once at his original attack bonus and a second time at -4 and take the higher roll.
Whenever you have gained the edge on someone you may deal sneak attack damage as though they were denied their dexterity to AC.
Losing Edge
Whenever an effect would cause you to lose edge, you roll twice when making an attack, the second roll at a +6 to your original roll and take the lower roll. You can continue to lose edge up to an additional three times, each time reducing the bonus by 2 (down to a maximum of +0).
For example, if a fighter lost the edge three times against an opponent and attacked, he would roll twice to see if he hit, once at his original attack bonus and a second time at +2 and take the lower roll.
Whenever you have lost the edge by two or more on someone (when your second attack has a bonus of +4 or less) you may not deal sneak attack damage, as though they had concealment against you.
Stacking the Edge
The edge stacks with itself, causing you to move along a spectrum. Thus, if you've lost 4 edge but gained 6 edge, you are treated as though you have an edge of 2 when attacking. Or if an opponent would gain the edge over you, but it's something that causes you to roll, consider yourself to have lost the edge by the same amount for that roll.
| Edge | Result |
|---|---|
| Lost four edge | Second roll at +0, take the lowest roll |
| Lost three edge | Second roll at +2, take the lowest roll |
| Lost two edge | Second roll at +4, take the lowest roll |
| Lost one edge | Second roll at +6, take the lowest roll |
| No edge | Roll only once |
| Gain one edge | Second roll at -6, take the higher roll |
| Gain two edge | Second roll at -4, take the higher roll |
| Gain three edge | Second roll at -2, take the higher roll |
| Gain four edge | Second roll at -0, take the higher roll |
Cover and Conealment
Cover
Partial cover grants you the edge twice when making Reflex saves and causes foes to lose the edge twice when attacking you.
Concealment
Partial concealment causes foes attacking you to lose the edge twice when making attacks against you while total concealment causes foes attacking you to lose the edge three times when making attacks against you.
Revised Conditions
Effects that cause you to usually take a penalty or gain a bonus to attack instead cause you to gain or lose edge. See the list below for a few changed status conditions.
Blinded
You lose the edge three times when making any attacks that target a specific person. Opponents targeting you gain two edge when attacking you with targeted abilities that target AC or force a you to make a Reflex save, and you lose the edge three times for the purpose of making Search checks relying on sight.
Dazzled
You lose the edge when making attacks, on Search checks, and on Spot checks.
Denied Dexterity to AC
Anyone making an attack on you that targets AC or forces you to make a Reflex save gains the edge.
Entangled
Anyone making an attack on you that targets AC or forces you to make a Reflex save gains the edge, and you lose the edge twice when using attacks.
Exhausted
While exhausted, you lose the edge three times when making attacks.
Fatigued
While fatigued, you lose the edge twice when making attacks.
Flanking
When flanking, you gain the edge when making attacks.
Prone
Foes attacking you gain the edge twice in melee and lose the edge twice when attacking from range, and you lose the edge twice when making melee attacks.
Shaken
You lose the edge when making saving throws, skill checks, ability checks, and attacks.
Sickened
You lose the edge when making saving throws, skill checks, ability checks, and attacks and deal 2 less damage when making attacks.
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