Sort of off topic:

I am going to create a system which determines how many and what kind of attacks a creature gets every round. For example, a dragon gets claw/claw/bite/wing buffet/tail slap. It makes no sense that he gets that every round; if no one is behind him, or only on one side, he wouldn't get a tail slap/second claw respectively.
A better example is a ghoul He gets claw/claw/bite every round. Kinda seems dumb that he gets one swipe with each claw and a bite, same attacks every round. Clawing and biting are two totally different forms of attack. It makes it seem like he stands there and swings each claw, then attempts to bite. Instead, what I want to do is have a system where he definitely gets one claw attack, a chance for the second, and a chance for a bite. OR, he gets a definite bite, and chances for claws. Like this:

1. Roll to see if he claws/bites, or make an intelligent decision based on game factors. 50% chance for each claw, 50% chance to bite. Whichever type is rolled is the primary attack for that round.
2. He rolls claw. DM rolls the attack. It misses. He now rolls to see if a 2nd claw attack is possible (50%). He rolls a 43, and then hits with a 19. He rolls to see if a bite is possible and gets an 88. End of turn.
3. Next round, he rolls bite. It misses. He then rolls to see if claw attacks are possible (50% each). He gets a 33 and 71. He gets one claw attack, which hits.
4. Etc.

Obviously this only applies to things with multiple attacks. The DM also has to factor in common sense variables; if the ghoul has missed with six claw attacks in a row but hit with one bite, he will then rely on biting as the primary attack. Also, if there are multiple attacks, they are staggered through the round. Ex: On round 2, if the ghoul wins initiative against a fighter with 3/2 attacks per round, his claw goes first, then any additional claw. The fighter then attacks, then the ghoul's bite, then the fighter's second attack. If the fighter is using one weapon, he doesn't roll to see if he gets a second attack. If he is using sword and dagger, he gets 2 attacks with whichever he declares is his primary that round, then rolls to see if the "offhand" weapon gets an attack. I believe in the current system he automatically gets an offhand attack with the dagger.
Anyone have any input on how this system can be made better? I realize it will technically weaken monsters with multiple attacks, but that can be offset by less XP or more damage per attack if the DM desires.
As to why I want to complicate things , I strive for as much realism as possible in my campaigns, especially when it comes to combat.

Tx Ash, I appreciate the kudos. Once I get it written down and polished it will probably be easy to implement. Anyone else?

Deadlord wrote in Random Thoughts or OT Chit-Chat Thread:Anyone have any input on how this system can be made better? I realize it will technically weaken monsters with multiple attacks, but that can be offset by less XP or more damage per attack if the DM desires.
As to why I want to complicate things , I strive for as much realism as possible in my campaigns, especially when it comes to combat.

Frank:  there was an Attack Priority alt combat system published in Dragon #71, but I don't recall if it addressed the variable # of attacks per round vs. who got to swing first.  Might be worth looking up.

You can certainly also pull out AD&D's combat system and replace it with Rolemaster, Warhammer, C&S, etc. too.  You might also check out the 3.x combat system, which was a bit more miniatures-oriented and tactical in scope vs. the more abstract 1e system.

Allan.

That makes sense, I'll pull combat systems from all the RPGs I can and see what they offer.
One variation I thought of was to take the number of attacks a creature has and split that amongst the possible weapons based on rolls. Since a ghoul has 3, I'd start by rolling a d6. 1-4 means claw, 5-6 means bite. So three rolls of d6 could give me 3 claws, 3 bites, 2 claws/1 bite or 2 bites/1 claw. Less guessing and rolling. Statistically speaking, the ghoul does the same damage, but gameplay will end up being more realistic.
I probably shouldn't mention this, but the variation came to me in a dream yesterday morning. Morning dreams are where I solve 90% of tricky issues. Anyways, two guys in plate mail were fighting a ghoul; one had him in a chokehold and the other was in front of him with a dagger. The daggerman stabbed at the ghoul while it was struggling, opening a slash on his arm from which three purple 1's floated out and up. The ghoul lashed out at the guy with his claws, and tried to lean forward to bite him but the chokehold prevented it. He stopped struggling and said in an English accent, "Sir, would you mind releasing me so that I can complete my bite attack?". The choker had an Irish accent and said "Sure, and I'll be lettin' ya go, but ye'll be getting right back in after!". He let the ghoul go; the ghoul dusted himself off, said "Good on ya, mate" Australian-style and lunged at the other guy with a hundred fangs about five inches long. The fighter backpedaled and fell on his ass. The ghoul mumbled something and backed up two steps so the other fighter could chokehold him again. The guy on the ground got up and a voice said, "Round 2, FIGHT" just like the Mortal Kombat game. Then I woke up. Took me a bit to figure out why I had the dream, then I wrote down "cumulative attacks" on the notepad beside the bed that I keep there for dreams like that and went back to sleep. My notes sometimes make little sense, but I usually figure out what I intended.
I have no valid excuse.

It's time to play

BEAT
THE
GRODOG!!!!

I will post details about an article I need to track down, and whomever finds it before Allan gets 1,000 g.p. and a 5% XP bonus for the month of April. Here goes:

1. Pages 136-139 have lists of gemstone names and details: the categories are Fancy Stones, Precious Stones, Gem Stones and Jewels.
2. Pages 143-146 are Art Objects (d100) and each lists an object with description and value. Stuff like electrum belt buckle, brass mug, gaming piece etc. Page 143 is the start of that part of the article.
3. There is an icon of an open treasure chest in the upper outside corner of each page.

Round One.........FIGHT!!

Alas, that is not it. Is there a way to poll Dungeon mags?

Deadlord wrote in Random Thoughts or OT Chit-Chat Thread:Alas, that is not it. Is there a way to poll Dungeon mags?

You can search Dungeon magazine descriptions at PurpleWorm.org - Dungeon Magazine Index but they don't have a similar search for Dragon articles.  Your best bet is to search via a Windows directory-level search across all of the PDFs from your Dragon Archive.

Allan.

Ummm... I don't think Dragon and Dungeon mags had that many pages. At least not that I recall.

The chest in the corner reminded me of the 2E rule books, but I didn't see anything that matched under those page numbers.

benjoshua wrote in Random Thoughts or OT Chit-Chat Thread:
Dragon Magazine issue #91 had a "Treasure Trove" pull-out section, and issue #99 had a Treasure Trove #2 article.....  I am not where I can look at those right now.  

I checked them, no luck. I am positive now it comes from a Forgotten Realms product. Several times it mentions the DMG.