If you had to build a system, what stats would you put inside ?


log in or register to remove this ad

For me, Str is not an interesting stat, because it pertains best to fighting ( ok, climbing, weight-lifting )

Impact = intensity x duration is somewhat better
 


Perhaps what I call stats you would call it Meta-Stats...

"Meta" doesn't have much meaning without context.

Systems often have derived or secondary stats, if that's what you mean.
Like Speed might be the average of Strength + Dex.
The ability to resist damage might be based on whatever attribute reflects health (like Constitution) plus armor. Again, depends on how it will operate in your system.

For me, Str is not an interesting stat, because it pertains best to fighting ( ok, climbing, weight-lifting )

Impact = intensity x duration is somewhat better

Strength is a perfectly serviceable stat, useful for more than just fighting, as you even mention. It's probably one of the character abilities most often included in RPGs, as it's pretty clear what it refers to. It might go by another name, like Might or Prowess, but they're still talking about the character's strength.

The Impact formula you describe seems to simply be a very specific application of Strength. And then you're introducing other concepts, like intensity (which needs its own mechanical explanation) and duration. Would Impact cover all the other use cases of Strength, like climbing or carrying capacity?

And the name Influence ... well, any stat influences something. The word Influence also could apply to so many things, it's not clear what you're referring to. I think most people would assume it's a personality/charisma/social type stat, as in one's influence over other people. Though it could have more specific meanings, again, depending on the type of game. Might be monetary influence, political influence, etc.
 

"Meta" doesn't have much meaning without context.

Systems often have derived or secondary stats, if that's what you mean.
Like Speed might be the average of Strength + Dex.
The ability to resist damage might be based on whatever attribute reflects health (like Constitution) plus armor. Again, depends on how it will operate in your system.



Strength is a perfectly serviceable stat, useful for more than just fighting, as you even mention. It's probably one of the character abilities most often included in RPGs, as it's pretty clear what it refers to. It might go by another name, like Might or Prowess, but they're still talking about the character's strength.

The Impact formula you describe seems to simply be a very specific application of Strength. And then you're introducing other concepts, like intensity (which needs its own mechanical explanation) and duration. Would Impact cover all the other use cases of Strength, like climbing or carrying capacity?

And the name Influence ... well, any stat influences something. The word Influence also could apply to so many things, it's not clear what you're referring to. I think most people would assume it's a personality/charisma/social type stat, as in one's influence over other people. Though it could have more specific meanings, again, depending on the type of game. Might be monetary influence, political influence, etc.
You got it!
A useful stat covers multiple uses, it is its broad range of uses which makes its usefulness.
As for STR, Impact refers to damage dealing.

You mix ( even if just briefly ) a possible option for high level STR as might.
Still for me, be it STR or might it belongs to the fighter
 

I have no general answer to this question. The answer depends on what kind of game I'm trying to make.

I recently ran a game that had no stats. It wasn't a game about succeeding or failing, it was a game about looking at where you have been, and deciding how to move forward from there.
 


"Meta" doesn't have much meaning without context.

Systems often have derived or secondary stats, if that's what you mean.
Like Speed might be the average of Strength + Dex.
The ability to resist damage might be based on whatever attribute reflects health (like Constitution) plus armor. Again, depends on how it will operate in your system.



Strength is a perfectly serviceable stat, useful for more than just fighting, as you even mention. It's probably one of the character abilities most often included in RPGs, as it's pretty clear what it refers to. It might go by another name, like Might or Prowess, but they're still talking about the character's strength.

The Impact formula you describe seems to simply be a very specific application of Strength. And then you're introducing other concepts, like intensity (which needs its own mechanical explanation) and duration. Would Impact cover all the other use cases of Strength, like climbing or carrying capacity?

And the name Influence ... well, any stat influences something. The word Influence also could apply to so many things, it's not clear what you're referring to. I think most people would assume it's a personality/charisma/social type stat, as in one's influence over other people. Though it could have more specific meanings, again, depending on the type of game. Might be monetary influence, political influence, etc.
... And what you call STR I call it nerves.
 


... And what you call STR I call it nerves.

You can call it whatever you like, but it should make sense to the people reading your game. The terms of things in a game matter, and they should be chosen to communicate at least the general meaning of the term clearly whenever possible. Sure, you will probably need further definition for what it means specifically in the game, but a clearly named game term already gives the reader a better starting point contextually.
Don't avoid using common usage terms or synonyms just for the sake of being different.

For example, "Nerves" is a word, at least in English, that is not usually associated with physical power. It's more often about mental fortitude or willpower, like "Nerves of steel", or "They've got some nerve!" or "You're getting on my nerves!"

Also, what is the thing you called Impact, then? Is that a secondary attribute of Nerves?
 

Remove ads

Top