09-18-2015, 12:10 PM | #1 |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
GURPS is truly a rules-hacker's rules set. Much of it boils down to either "buy stuff with character points" or "roll some six-siders, apply modifiers, and compare." A huge amount of variation can be hammered into that framework – and thanks to the way GURPS builds on realism, there's a clear starting place for adjustments to the framework itself. Ultimately, anything that makes sense in reality or in the context of the core mechanics can be made to fit.The rules are just fine Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV is a celebration of that truth. This month's Pyramid looks at various bits and pieces of the game and offers different ways of making them work better – sometimes in situations that arise in play, sometimes more on the meta-game level.
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Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
09-18-2015, 01:35 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Kentucky, USA
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Re: Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
A meaty issue that's going to require some reflection to properly digest, but I just wanted to say, that's a very pretty cover art print!
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09-18-2015, 01:58 PM | #3 |
World's Worst Detective
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Columbus, Ohio
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Re: Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
As always, an Alternate GURPS issue of Pyramid is an easy sell to me. Thank the logarithmic gods (or Kromm, whichever) for these revised strength rules! They look great, and I can't wait to give them a shot! Logarithms are pretty much magic from my point of view, so I have no choice but to trust that it all makes perfect sense. At a first glance, the new damage progression already looks better.
Of course, I like the other articles too! I swear! A big thank you (as always) to all of the beautiful minds that came together to produce such a masterpiece. And to all of the cons that managed to swindle me out of another $8!
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Raekai's links: My blog about conlanging, GURPS, and other stuff! — Using Knowing Your Own Strength with Conditional Injury Simulating multiple attacks Wildcard Power Pool: a flexible magic/powers system Magic to RPM complete conversion v2 (incomplete) Perussinexian Magic 2 (outdated) |
09-18-2015, 02:48 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Jun 2015
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Re: Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
The new possession rules seem like something I'll probably immediately incorporate into some of the stuff I use. I'm especially liking the Transformative enhancement for Possession and Rebuke limitation for True Faith: they both immediately bring to mind familiar folklore and fantasy elements.
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09-18-2015, 04:09 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
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Re: Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
Oooh. Even just the words "Transformative enhancement for Possession" means I need this issue.
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09-18-2015, 04:30 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Re: Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
The revised ST rules are tempting because of what it does to damage scaling, but I have a bad feeling I'd sprain my brain somewhere down the road if I use it, so I'm on the fence there.
Pulver's Perception change is very interesting. I think if I start up something, I'm using some form of these suggestions. Haven't gotten to the possession article yet, but I remember having a very similar idea at some point, so I'm eager to look it over.
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09-18-2015, 04:48 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: OK
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Re: Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
The new ST-based damage table seems fine for normal humans, at least for thrusting, as long as you no longer have weapons give their bonus to damage. A normal man can certainly thrust for the average of 1d-2 or even 1d if he's thrusting as hard as he can. The problem comes in when you hand him a naginata or a thrusting bastard sword and he jumps up to 1d+3 damage and becomes the bane of armored men everywhere.
If a man who is four times as strong should deal double the damage, then the way GURPS treats weapons, and other bonuses, such as that from All-Out Attack (Strong), is clearly problematic.
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"For the rays, to speak properly, are not colored. In them there is nothing else than a certain power and disposition to stir up a sensation of this or that color." —Isaac Newton, Optics My blog. |
09-18-2015, 05:01 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Within the pages of a never ending story.
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Re: Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
The additional/elaborating rules for ST seems nice. Up to this point I've been using rules that I've pulled together from discussions on this forum as well as my own... I think this will be worth taking a look at.
I very much like the idea of an abstract gear tracking system for fast and loose action or hack and slash. Maybe for DF, but that's all about fiddly equipment tracking. EDIT: The cover art is very, very pretty by the way. More please!
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09-18-2015, 05:56 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Austin, TX
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Re: Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
Quote:
I'm actually pleased that a ST13 or 14 knight with a broadsword is incentivized to stab people, especially if you're using the optional Edge Protection rules from Low-Tech. 7.5 im versus 8 cu favors impaling for DR6 or lower.
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09-18-2015, 06:29 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: OK
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Re: Pyramid #3/83: Alternate GURPS IV
Yes, exactly. And I'm not picking out the naginata in particular. It's the way the actual damage people do is usually much higher than what you see on the table. So 1d-2 becomes 1d or 1d+1 or 1d+1.
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"For the rays, to speak properly, are not colored. In them there is nothing else than a certain power and disposition to stir up a sensation of this or that color." —Isaac Newton, Optics My blog. Last edited by ErhnamDJ; 09-18-2015 at 06:37 PM. |
Tags |
on target, possessions under control, pyramid 3/83, transformative |
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