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Nils_Lindeberg · 07-18-2020, 08:49 AM

On another note, anyone that built a point system from scratch like Henry did with his calculator. That starts with age/power level minimum stats and then you buy everything from that. You could start with only 2 points of talents and a free mundane talent like Farmhand, but have much better attributes than normal, but without being penalized for it with a set talent point cost, but using the mIQ costs.

Maybe even adding a few random set talents or minimum attribute scores to work from. Or be able to learn talents at a lower IQ, but with an activation roll so they are unreliable (always based on the attribute prereq. you didn't have). That would mean that you could start with an IQ 9 Scholar with Crossbow talent. And minimum characteristics for ST and DX and a bunch of XP-increases. That way you would have loads of options, but the character wouldn't be a cookie cutter best build for a specific talent combo or weapon combo. You would have to think outside the box to make it into a character that kind of works... And you would get a bunch of questions to answer, like why IQ9 and Schollar, or why and how did he learn crossbow and the rest of his talents. Often you could fill out the character with the XP and get a normal character, but at times it would be slightly off, in an interesting way. Still optimized from the strange starting point and back ground point of view, but not optimized from a pure power gaming point of view (which most of us wants to avoid).

One could even throw in a a personality trait or a random advantage or handicap to really make for an interesting starting point. A mix of randomness and control from the players point of view.

And such a random system would make great NPC's, especially since they don't have to follow the same creation rules as the PC's. All the GM needs to do is fill in the rest as he sees fit. That big bad boss with his bee hives out back, bum knee, swearing in Centaurish and repainted canoe out side the door would be somewhat more memorable than the standard BBG.

07-18-2020, 08:49 AM	#43
Nils_Lindeberg Join Date: Jul 2018	Re: Experience Points On another note, anyone that built a point system from scratch like Henry did with his calculator. That starts with age/power level minimum stats and then you buy everything from that. You could start with only 2 points of talents and a free mundane talent like Farmhand, but have much better attributes than normal, but without being penalized for it with a set talent point cost, but using the mIQ costs. Maybe even adding a few random set talents or minimum attribute scores to work from. Or be able to learn talents at a lower IQ, but with an activation roll so they are unreliable (always based on the attribute prereq. you didn't have). That would mean that you could start with an IQ 9 Scholar with Crossbow talent. And minimum characteristics for ST and DX and a bunch of XP-increases. That way you would have loads of options, but the character wouldn't be a cookie cutter best build for a specific talent combo or weapon combo. You would have to think outside the box to make it into a character that kind of works... And you would get a bunch of questions to answer, like why IQ9 and Schollar, or why and how did he learn crossbow and the rest of his talents. Often you could fill out the character with the XP and get a normal character, but at times it would be slightly off, in an interesting way. Still optimized from the strange starting point and back ground point of view, but not optimized from a pure power gaming point of view (which most of us wants to avoid). One could even throw in a a personality trait or a random advantage or handicap to really make for an interesting starting point. A mix of randomness and control from the players point of view. And such a random system would make great NPC's, especially since they don't have to follow the same creation rules as the PC's. All the GM needs to do is fill in the rest as he sees fit. That big bad boss with his bee hives out back, bum knee, swearing in Centaurish and repainted canoe out side the door would be somewhat more memorable than the standard BBG.