12-30-2009, 04:24 PM | #51 |
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Shangri-La
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
I like to fully stat out important NPCs (including point values) to at least get an idea of how powerful they are, in comparison to the PCs.
I know, I know: GURPS point values aren't the same as D&D "Levels" or Challenge Ratings or the like, but it does help to know that if my Combat Monster NPC comes to 200 points, he's about equal to the 200-point Combat Monster PC(s). Point values are a reasonable reference for relative power levels, given apples-to-apples comparisons ... and even for ballpark comparisons, inasmuch as that most 200-point characters (built on the same starting assumptions, i.e. what traits are available) are roughly equivalent in "overall" power level, even if their focus is different. |
12-30-2009, 04:28 PM | #52 | |
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
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In our campaigns we call that a warrior type x trying to become a name character. Quite a few times after someone puts up an exceptionally good fight etc.the players want to know their name etc and I wing it and write it down as I go. Then they are thrilled when he/she shows up again ( they have a history) |
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12-30-2009, 04:30 PM | #53 | |
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Houston
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
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I wasnt here for the 3e benchmarks, nor do I even presume to understand how those would work or how to reacquire them. At what point are the pistol skills of Indiana Jones, Dirty Harry, Han Solo, a Bootcamp fresh soldier, or the Lone Ranger even on a cross campaign/cross genre scale? Im not familiar with your issues with Invulnerability issue. Can you post a link to the thread? Nymdok |
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12-30-2009, 04:31 PM | #54 | |
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Calgary, AB... looking for a few more to join us.
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
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There's also the important concept of making a call on your own to make the game your own. Don't come running to the forums every time you don't understand something. Try to figure it out first and then make the call for your own games and world. No one will disapprove and look down on you if you do. Well, no one who deserves your respect, anyway.
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12-30-2009, 04:41 PM | #55 | |
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Houston
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
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At 100 points its not too tough, but once the PCs have 20 more poitns to spend, where do those points go and what skills/abilities do they acquire? The NPCs most certainly will not spend the points the same way and it wont take long before the figter that spread his points between swor, shield, knife, brawling and Axe/Mace is outclassed or evenly matched to an NPC mook that has a lower point value, but a more concentrated focus. Nymdok |
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12-30-2009, 05:01 PM | #56 | |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
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I'll stat NPCs, sometimes but more often than not I'll just jot down some quick notes for consistency. Enemies, allies and dependents always get full write-ups. I'll often improvise an NPC while gaming and then flesh it out with a full sheet between sessions; if it turns out to be significant. Last edited by sir_pudding; 12-30-2009 at 05:06 PM. |
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12-30-2009, 05:08 PM | #57 | |
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
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On the flip side, people who understat run the risk of turning a dice-based game with objective values into a storytelling game where all values depend only on the judgement calls of the GM. There really is a discipline called mathematical modeling. Using numbers and probabilities to describe a system is not something that Gary Gygax invented; it's not even something that the Prussian military training officers invented. The thing that drives me crazy about gamers is that many of them seem to think that less simulationist crunch is better for their game, and therefore everyone should play non-crunchy games.
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"It is now time to put away this embargo of truth about the alien presence. I call upon our government to open up ... " - Edgar Mitchell, Ph. D., Captain (Ret.) |
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12-30-2009, 05:22 PM | #58 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Binghamton, NY, USA. Near the river Styx in the 5th Circle.
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
The stats of anything can be set to whatever value the GM wants; even if stating it up using a point-buy system the GM has an unlimited point budget. So, ultimately, all values do depend only on GM judgment calls. What matters is whether or not the GMs judgment is fair and fun for the players, not if he used his judgment to stat everything in minute detail ahead of time or whether he used the most basic stats on the fly.
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Eric B. Smith GURPS Data File Coordinator GURPSLand I shall pull the pin from this healing grenade and... Kaboom-baya. |
12-30-2009, 05:25 PM | #59 | |
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Iceland*
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
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He's not about equal in combat power, in challenge rating or in any other useful formula that you can use to gauge relative power. He has spent an equal number of 'I want that trait' points and that's all the two have in common. A martial artist with insanely high ST and DX as well as Karate at DX+10 and Judo at DX+10 as well as six other martial art skills at DX+8 (that's well over 200 points) will not be equal in any way, shape or form to a 0-point soldier who has Guns -12, Tactics -10 and Stealth -10 and is waiting with a rifle aimed at a doorway he's coming through. Points loosely measure adventuring utility, but mostly, they act as a limit on how many cool powers players can buy. They don't really impact tactical situations in the game all that much, since being issued equipment and holding an advantageous position is not even worth any points. And that has a much greater bearing on the result.
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Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela! |
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12-30-2009, 05:29 PM | #60 | ||
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: near Houston
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Re: Resolved,There is no point to statting up anything that is not a PC
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Quote:
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A generous and sadistic GM, Brandon Cope GURPS 3e stuff: http://copeab.tripod.com |
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