Why I created Math Wizard

I’ve only been playing D&D 4th Edition for about 8 months. Using the fact that my group plays an average of 2 (maybe 3) games per month, that’s about 18 to 20 sessions of gameplay. And I’m already frustrated with how D&D is restricting how I want my story told.

I want to help people tell more interesting stories. A freestyle RPG like D&D gives me that ability. But it’s frustrating as Rubik’s cube when the battle mechanics get too much in the way.

If I understand it correctly, 4th Edition was dumbed down a little compared with 3rd Edition. This is to make it easier for new players to pick it up. I’m upping the ante. I’m going to increase the difficulty together with more story elements (what is commonly known as “fluff”).

You know what I see when I flip through the D&D guide books? Target this, do this amount of damage, inflict some effect (from a short list of effects, such as daze, immobilise). Mechanically speaking, they are almost the same. About the only difference is the amount of damage. Ok, my group seems to concentrate on the damage, so I’m not getting an objective view. Let me know how you play.

Anyway, I decided to merge my interest in math with D&D. I also like magic users more than physical fighters. Thus was Math Wizard born. It is a new build for the wizard, with a slight difference. Most of the powers are based on math concepts (the rest are based on science concepts).

There’s also something you’ll probably never find in other game supplements. I’ll be explaining the powers and the math/science concepts behind them so you’ll understand the why of the concept, and how it fits into the D&D world. Storytelling has just gotten a bit more pizzaz.

Let me give you an example. There’s this power called the “Swap of the Twin Primes”. Mechanically speaking, it allows you to swap two creatures. But when the creatures are a prime number of squares away from you, something more happens. If those prime number of squares are twin primes of each other, something even more happens.

The Math Wizard is as much for the educators (math teachers?) as well as for the D&D players. I want people to think really hard on how they’re playing their characters. I want people to learn something too while playing D&D. Educate and entertain, that’s the goal.

So mark your calendar. The Math Wizard will be available on the 10 February 2010. You can also subscribe to my RSS feed for the latest news on the Math Wizard, as well as my adventures while playing RPGs (particularly D&D).