In Nomine Second Edition: What have we learned?
While the GURPS 4e thread seems to have fallen apart, I wanted to discuss what changes the hardcore fans would like to see if IN ever did a second edition.
We all know that In Nomine had a number of rules inconsistancies that needed fixing. But there were other expectations by the designers that did not in fact play out.
For example, I recall Archangel Beth mentioning that the Corporeal combat rules were pretty much an afterthought, since they orginally thought that most combat would take place in the Celestial Realm. WHY they thought that is a mystery to me, since a couple days in the penalty box seems a lot better then having pieces of your soul carved off, but maybe that's just me.
Additionally, I think they underestimated exactly how HARD Celestial combat was in execution, taking a great deal of time. Unless you had some major Song and attunements and (prefereably) outnumbered someone radically, killing anything Celestially was difficult. I don't know if this was a flaw or a feature.
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So, besides finding a decent editor <cough> how would you clarify what IN was and what you wish it would become. White Wolf seriously revamped it's WOD. Would IN be served by such a makeover?
Here is my list:
A third side to the binary Heaven/Hell dynamic. IsNorden is already trying to do that purely with Ethereals. I am not sure I fully agree with her because, for example, how many worshippers does Odin actually have these days? But something could be done. At least in my games, there seems to be a strong element of Outcasts and Renegades. Why not gather them with some strong Ethereal groups, and a few genius loci, and Words held by Ethereals into a small but significant Gray Faction?
Easier Celestial combat. Or putting a mechanic in which allows Celestial combat being forced. Or emphasising that retreating to Heaven just because you got bushwhacked means failing a mission. Or Dolerous Weapons, weapons which do Corp AND Celestials damage.
A splatbook which expands on combat. Leave the simple rules in place, but allow those who want more sophisticated combat rules to have access to them.
A bit more direction in exactly what angels and demons are supposed to do. Their jobs are a bit nebulous.
I think less Superior interaction. These guys are building blocks to the Universe in some ways. They really don't want to (nor should they need to) hear all about your defaceing some cemetary markers.
A simplified Disturbance system which is accessible.
More ZAP and ZOT in the Songs. I am not looking for D&D whiz bangery, but the actual combat Songs are few and weak. The Celestial Song of Light takes about 4-6 maximized shots to deal with a moderately strong Celestial without using a LOT of Essence (and if you do, you can't shoot it as often) I might as well be using a gun. It's cheaper. This is NOT the Fire that took out Gomorrah. One imagines the Conflict between Legion and all the other Superiors as using vast forces, not pipsqueak flashes of light.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I would love to have some unconsciousness rules which didn't involve almost killing the Celestial or shooting him full of an elephant's worth of tranquilizers.
What are your thoughts? Be radical! What about IN suddenly being an all Outcast/Renegade game? What would you fight tooth and nail to keep and what do you consider too stupid for words?
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