Ask Dr. Gamer!

[mik3cap]

Hi Dr. Gamer, I'm a huge fan, first time poster, long time reader - and I was just wondering: what does THAC0 mean?? signed, n000bers in Saskatchewan

Well n000bers, it's an acronym from the early editions of "Dungeons & Dragons" which apparently were published long before you came into your nerditude. I hate you for making me feel old. THAC0 stands for "To Ham Armor Class 0" and represents the amount of ham you have to throw at a naked Dwarf before he'll stop hurting you. (and you better hope it's a he, it's hard to tell sometimes)

Comments

[lady-darkwolf.livejournal.com]

"...and represents the amount of ham you have to throw at a naked Dwarf before he'll stop hurting you. "

Whoa! Makes me almost glad I never played 2nd D&D.

[lady-darkwolf.livejournal.com]

Or 1st Ed for that matter....I'm the lamest D&D gamer evar! Only played 2 games.

[dariusk.livejournal.com]

This hallowed past of THAC0 is given a shout-out in Dungeons & Dragons Online, where you can type "/lfh" and get a "looking for ham" animation, where there is a picture of a ham over your head.

[mikecap.livejournal.com]

Hey, there are going to be Turbine people at the comic-con this weekend - think I can name-drop you to any effect? :)

[dariusk.livejournal.com]

Yeah, probably :)

[mikecap.livejournal.com]

Speaking of networking... I just met an IP lawyer tonight who apparently works in games/media. Apparently one of his clients has a patent on "using character data to manufacture customized merchandise" as in making a trading card with your WoW character's stats on it, or making your Spore creatures into 3D models or high res printouts. He apparently also played for a year on the ESRB's guild in WoW. I'm not sure if he's hitting GDC this year or not, but he went last year...

[dariusk.livejournal.com]

What a bullshit patent...

[mikecap.livejournal.com]

I know, right? That's like applying for a patent to sell fries and a drink with a hamburger. What a great idea!!