S&S Rule Questions

[kersus]

So a first level Wizard has a Constitution of 7. He rolls a one for hit points, and the Con -1 and Wizard -1 still leave him with a minimum of 1 right?

So now this character attains second level. He would gain 1 hit point as a Wizard, but does the Con modifier negate this, or is it only used against actual rolls instead of +1s and the like?

At second level does this Wizard have 1 or 2 hit points?

***

How is magical item identification done?

***

Does the Thief Vital Strike to hit bonus (+3) add to the attacking from behind to hit bonus (+4) = +7?

***

Are there grappling, wrestling, overbearing rules somewhere or in the works?

***

How did you decide on Sling ranges? With a Strength of 9 having ranges of 4.5', 9', and 18' seems a little on the short side....

[Jason Vey]

Yes, at first level you can't have less than 1 hit point; otherwise you'd be dead. Likewise, you can't lose hit points upon gaining a level, and you can't gain less than 1.

Magical item identification is done however you as the Referee want it to be done. I feel that should be part of the world rather than the rote. Maybe magic items in your world are all legendary and have their names or trigger phrases inscribed on them. Maybe you need a sage. Maybe wizards can make an Intelligence Check with a bonus for their class to call forth their arcane knowledge about the item after a few minutes' experimentation. I never held with the idea that you have to have a special spell memorized (with a 100gp cost at that!) just to know what a +1 sword does.

Yes, the thief Vital Strike bonus adds to the attacking from behind bonus.

There are grappling, wrestling, and overbearing rules in S&S Deluxe and Monstrous Mayhem.

It'd actually be 4, 9, and 18. You drop the fraction. I don't think that's short at all. Keep in mind, that's not a reference of how far you can launch the stone, it's a reference of accuracy. I don't care how strong you are, it's not easy to nail a target with a slung weapon at 18 feet.

That being said, it was originally much farther. It was decided after playtest and some actual play that in general a sling's effective accurate range should be shorter than that of a bow. Makes halflings all the more deadly with slings.

[kersus]

Thanks for the info!

I know you had to limit what weapons you included, but why leave out darts? Would they just be equivalent to something already there?

[Jason Vey]

Truthfully, I just didn't even think about darts. I'd likely treat them as a sling, though.