GURPS Ultra-Lite -- thoughts

[PK]

If you don't know what I'm talking about, go here and download it, print it, fold it, cut it, and read it. (In that order, trust me.)

So, this was a bit of a surprise. At first, I'm thinking that this is a one-page cheat sheet for players running pre-built characters. Y'know, get rid of all of the char building stuff and you can simplify GURPS down to a page, sure.

Then I read it.

First impressions? This isn't GURPS. I mean, it's really a unique game "inspired by" GURPS. The combat system is drastically overhauled, the levels don't equate evenly to character points (i.e., you can't translate between GURPS and GUL evenly), you can now succeed on any roll (even with a target number of -8) if you roll a 3, and the whole concept of disadvantages is gone.

Now, that doesn't mean it's a bad system. I think this is a fine system for rule-lite gaming, sure. But I'm not sure if it'll do more good or more harm when trying to upconvert players to real GURPS after playing GUL.

Still, this is clearly marked as a work in progress, so that's good. I'm going to muse on it some more and see what suggestions come to mind. (Well, one already has: Get rid of the "A 3 on the dice always succeeds" rule -- that's just goofy.)

[PK]

A breakdown of what a level in GUL is worth:

• Either ST+2 [20] or ST+4 [40]
• DX+2 [40]
• IQ+2 [40]
• Either HT+2 [20] or HT+4 [40]
• A Wildcard! skill at Att-2 [6] or +4 to a Wildcard! skill [42 or 48]
• Charisma 8 [40]
• An undetermined level of Wealth, eyeballed as being Very Wealthy [30], since you can use it to buy Very Fine gear (x20 cost), in essence.

That's a pretty wide range, anywhere from 6 to 48 points per level. Interestingly, that whole spread occurs in the cost of the skill levels. The variation is surprising, and problematic. Take these two "4 level" GUL chars and check out their actual cost in GURPS:

Abe: Normal ST, Normal DX, Weak IQ, Normal HT, Wealthy, four skills at level 1 [14]

Bob: Normal ST, Agile DX, Normal IQ, Weak HT, Charismatic, one skill at level 3 [156]

Seriously. You can have a 14-point PC adventuring in the same party as a 156-point PC, both built on the same number of levels. Now, that could be called a feature if you want, but it's not a feature of GURPS.

I'd prefer to have a set point cost per level in mind, and then work to try to hit that target. Being a little off is okay, but the spread needs to be tightened.

For example, what about a target of 35 points? That's doable. First, fix ST and HT so that Weak = 7 instead of 8. Then define the first level of a skill as giving it to you at Att+1 [36]. Further levels add +3 [36]. With those simple changes, you've now tightened up the value of a level so that its value is between 30 to 40 points without exception. That's a spread of 10 points instead of a spread of 42!

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Rev. Pee Kitty

(Well, one already has: Get rid of the "A 3 on the dice always succeeds" rule -- that's just goofy.)

Naw. As with any rules light game (which GUL is), GM calls have a heavier influence than games with hundreds of pages. If the GM doesn't want the PC to be able to succeed at an action, then he simply says, "You fail." If he wants to leave it up to chance, there should *always* be a chance of success; otherwise, don't waste the time rolling.

IMO, of course.

[Captain-Captain]

Assuming the damn Earth stops quaking, my suggestion for packaging. Print. Number them. Cut them out individually. Lay them in order. Staple. Get a good magnifying glass. Read.

[Zed]

I like it! It's simple. It can work for a pickup game or rules light game. It's easy enough to start teach people GURPS lingo.

It took me 2 reads to figure out the levels (mainly because I was expecting something more complicated).

A 3rd page of adorable little character sheets would be a good addition. Maybe set 3 or 4 or 6 individual character sheets on one page. Don't forget the silhouette to draw in your character. :D

~Z

[JMason]

I have to agree with Rev. Pee Kitty, this is too removed from the GURPS format to really be a tool I would use to introduce new players to GURPS. On the other hand, I also agree that it seems like a simple "beer and pretzels" rpg that could be fun to use.

If _I_ were writing GURPS UL I would...

1) Not use the tiny booklet format. A lot of space is wasted for each page's boarder and I just do not like it.

2) Roll ST and HT into one stat so everything follows the same scale.

3) List some Advantages and Disadvantages that cost/give a level. -OR- Use a Pick a Disadvantage to get an Advantage system.

5) Change the requires training penalty to -5 (which is an Average skill default).

6) Have the first level of a Skill buy off the -5 penalty (A Bang! skill level at the controlling Attribute cost 24 points, this low cost is offset by the more expensive additional levels)

7) Additional levels of Skills add +4. (48 points)

That is all I have for now, great work on this.

Edit: Made some mistakes on the level costs....fixed now.

[Rabiddave]

I like it as a quick and simple intro; propably best for people new to rpgs in general.

For reactions, I would say that PCs get a bonus equal to their skill level (+1 to +4) when dealing with NPCs that particular skill involves. (just to add a little more complexity to the system)

[Kromm]

Keep the ideas coming! And to come clean: This is a bare-bones, quicky item that got written in e-mail, and not really meant to be an "intro to GURPS" so much as "a look at how those crazy SJ Games people spend their time."

[JMason]

I would also like to see something like, "...after the completion of an adventure, PCs may be rewarded with an additional level."

[Xplo]

Originally Posted by Kromm

Keep the ideas coming! And to come clean: This is a bare-bones, quicky item that got written in e-mail, and not really meant to be an "intro to GURPS" so much as "a look at how those crazy SJ Games people spend their time."

That half-answers my question, I suppose: what is the point of GUL? Why was it made, and what is SJG hoping to accomplish with its release?