Despotic tyranny ruined my life

[davywavy]

I don't know if you caught this one; A-level Modern History students complaining that their final exam was 'too hard' because it contained the question “How far do you agree that Hitler’s role 1933-45 was one of despotic tyranny?”.
Their complaint isn't about it being a badly worded question despite 'despot' and 'tyrant' being somewhat tautologous, but because they actually didn't know what despot or tyrant actually meant. A facebook group to protest about the question ("Despotic tyranny ruined my life") has over 1,600 members which, when you consider that 6,000 people took the exam, suggests that a quarter or more of 18 year old history students - people with a self-declared interest in the subject, who might want to study history at university and then get a job presenting Time Team - have a vocabulary which didn't include what I would consider fairly basic governmental terms for pretty much the entirety of recorded human history.

I can see them now; the massed ranks of students in the exam hall, pens a-quiver and eager of neuron to display their hard-gained knowledge. Then, the words "Turn your papers over now". A rustling fills the room followed by...silence. There, spitefully inserted into an A-Level history question about Hitler, the word 'Despot'. Their formerly gleaming eyes dull into glazed incomprehension. As one, their mouths fall open like so many fish and thin trickles of drool begin to collect in their laps. Once-pristine knuckles sprout thick hair and slip to rest upon the ground.

I'm hardly the sharpest tool in the box (my academic record speaks for itself in its unremitting mediocrity) but if I hadn't known what a Despot was when I was 18, I wouldn't have joined groups to complain about it; I'd've kept it damn quiet. I'd've been embarrassed. Perhaps I'd've thought that this gap in my knowledge was at least in part my own responsibility. I didn't even study History to that level, and I think there was little chance of my being asked about the despotic tyranny of Hydrogen over the periodic table in my Chemistry final.

I know some of you lot out there are teachers - what the devil? Can you shed any light on this for me?

Updated from cavalorn: Nice to see groups appearing expressing a contrary position.

Comments

For your final paper

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Question 1.

In AD&D 1st Edition: Explain which character class you would take in order to deal the maximum amount of damage at level 5 in a single round.
Assume no magical items, standard gazebo opponent and a character with distributable 18/16/16/12/12/12 stats. Any strength percentile bonus will be 50.

(Edited!)

Re: For your final paper

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Ten bob says my brother answers this question.

I'd need to know the AC and reflex save for the Gazebo to properly answer the question.

Re: For your final paper

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

You can assume that any strike successfully hits the gazebo and it fails its saving throws.

Damage estimation should be calculated by average.

Bonus points for calculating it for 3.5 as well ;)

Re: For your final paper

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Almost certainly a sorceror with quickened or maximised lightning bolt, then, although a rogue with two eapons getting a sneak attack in might pip that.

sorry, but

[glummdead.livejournal.com]

at 5th level a sorcerer would not have access to third level spells, and quickened and/or maximised spells take up higher level spell slots

/geek

Re: sorry, but

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Wizard with maximised scorching ray then?

Re: For your final paper

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Talking about 3.5 and off the top of my head

Level 5 you only just get a 3rd level spell, but casting it as a maximised will count it as a higher level, so you wouldn't be able to do that ;)

Sorcer/Mage would get around 5d6 (21)
Fighter can probably manage d12+8+2 x2 (33) single or d8+4+2 x2 + d6+4 (28.5)
(Two handed weapon plus double strength bonus plus specialisation first)
Ranger probably d12 +8 + 4 x2 (37) (Target specialisation)
Rogue d10 + 4 + 3d6 + d6+4 (second weapon) (27) only one sneak per round

Barbarian, Druid, Bard and Cleric probably don't get a look in.

So Ranger pips it, by my guess ;)

Re: For your final paper

[glummdead.livejournal.com]

Ranger with a level of rogue for the sneak attack :D

Re: For your final paper

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good one.

Re: For your final paper

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Oooo nice plan! Depends if he still gets his second attack at level 4 tho' ;)

Re: For your final paper

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Plus I cocked up the spell damage; 5d6 = average of 17.5! Even worse!

Re: For your final paper

[(Anonymous)]

L4 harf orc rogue with a level of barbarian. 20 (24) strength with race mods. Crits ignored as they mean I need a scythe

Bastard sword in each hand, since I'm hitting anyway,

Mean damage 15(swords)+14(sneak)+10(strength)+8(power attack) =480

L4 h/o fighter with a level of barbarian greatsword, specialised

Mean damage (iterative attacks) 18(weapon) +20 (str) +14(power attack) + 4 specialised = 56

Rogues suck.

You are Brian and I claim my £5

[(Anonymous)]

This explains why I'm missing a shoe from when I was round at your place.

H

Re: For your final paper

[glummdead.livejournal.com]

I think I would go for a Magic User. There's no way a melee class could dish out anything equivalent to a fireball or lightning bolt in one round.

Re: For your final paper

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Have a look at my working above :)

I'd guessed the Ranger due to the target specialisation he got...

Re: For your final paper

[(Anonymous)]

Trick question for 1st ed - Thief, and stats don't matter.

x3 backstab damage with a trebuchet. Nothing in the rules against it.

Re: For your final paper

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Heh heh.

Been watching The gamers?

Re: For your final paper

[(Anonymous)]

Fo' shizzle.