Saving Throws-Additive or Best of?

[order99]

This seems like the right spot for an Ask the Author question...

 Now i've never ran (or played) with an RPG run completely as written...but my group and I are getting ready for a somewhat modified H&H next month, and I think it only fair that we understand Author Intent before we start twisting your poor creation into a pretzel.

  My soon-to-be Co-Editor and I (we plan on rotating so both of us can play) have a mild disagreement as per Saving Throws-Black Anne believes that you meant for the Players to assign PCs the best ST from either Race or Class-just pick the best one. I on the other hand are pretty sure you meant to add Race and Class ST bonuses together and would have made it clear in the rules  if you didn't...

 Black Anne does have a point though-by the Additive method your typical Android Superhero ends up at Lvl 1 with +3 vs Missles, +1 to Science and Magic and +5 to Poison Gas-without any help from a high Constitution even. My counterpoint of course is "They are Android Superheroes...isn't that the point?" We have the same disagreement vs. Mermen Magic-users who  get +5 to Magic at Lvl 1, etc etc.

 Now given the S&W pedigree of H&H the obvious answer is "Your game, you decide!" Nevertheless, i'd like the Esteemed Creator-Editor's ruling on this before Black Anne challenges me to another wrestling match (those NEVER go well, if I lose she is insufferable and if I win her Husband gets jealous...). 

 We await your command O Sensei-Editor....

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[Adminenkainen]

Ah, no, that's a good question. Normally I'm opposed to RPGs turning into bonus-stacking games, but in this case, yes, I had intended for racial bonuses and class-based saving throw bonuses to work together. And yes, it does give Mermen Magic-Users an awfully good save vs. spells. I honestly can't say if it gives the merman too much of an advantage or not, because I can almost never get people to play mermen.

The +5 cumulative save bonus for androids makes sense to me; it means about a 50/50 chance of gas affecting a synthetic man. However, most players who want to play android Heroes are actually envisioning more of a robot-like android. I have a new version of the android race that will debut in Supplement V: Big Bang -- but I'm about to share it here as a sneak preview!

Androids may be Fighters or Superheroes. Androids are 90% immune to poison and disease and do not need to breathe (hence they are equally at home in both water and on land). They have a base AC of 7 [12] instead of 9 [10]. They note new or hi-technology (including recognizing other androids for what they are) with a base chance of 4 in 6, to be modified by the Editor based on circumstances (who also determines how much the android perceives).
However, androids do not heal naturally or magically. They can be repaired only in a laboratory, at the rate of 1 hp per hour (either by an android or a scientist).

[order99]

Well, Black Anne owes me a latte.

Also, I love the new Android-and the old one can be reworked into my 'Synthezoid' or Synthetic Man...best of both worlds!

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