TFT Defense

[Kirk]

Yes, the TFT feel. It's important to keep it and be able to have others who haven't experienced it have access.

Back in the early 80s when GURPS was under development someone told me about a new feature that was being considered, a "defense roll" based on DX plus one die.

I thought, hmmm...., might work, but as a house rule it might change TFT in ways I can't even predict. Let's see how it all works out in the game under development. GURPS was the result, we bought Man to Man, tried it, didn't like it, never played it much afterwards.

So it sounded innocuous, seemed like it would solve the problem of not having one's own skill alter someone else's attack, but in the end began a set of changes that just played much differently than TFT, and which we just did not enjoy.

[Jim Kane]

Originally Posted by Kirk

...So it sounded innocuous, seemed like it would solve the problem of not having one's own skill alter someone else's attack, but in the end began a set of changes that just played much differently than TFT, and which we just did not enjoy.

And this often happens when someone tries to "update" something that while perhaps not perfect in it's mechanics, yet, IS perfection in it's inspiration and spirit.

So often they "fix" the one situation and somehow sacrifice the other.

Like changing bad grammar contained within the lyrics to most Stones' songs:

"I am unable to acquire and retain a measurable level of Sa-tis-fac-tion,... though I endeavor, I endeavor, I endeavor,... I am wholly unable to procure a modicum of,... Sa-tis-fac-tion"

Somehow it "precisely misses" the magical-mark set by inspiration and spirit.

JK