Action Points

[Lichemaster]

I read in the dragon mag on this new Eberron setting that they will use something new called ACTION POINTS, I liked the idea.
So my question is if anyone can tell me were the rules for Action points are or they new to the Eberron setting.

I don't want another campaign book just for the action points rules but I'm willing to buy another game that interests me with these action point rules.
Thanks in advance..................

 

[Hypersmurf]

Action Points exist in d20 Modern... whether they'll be done the same in Eberron, I'm not sure, but the Action Points section of the d20 Modern SRD can be found here.

-Hyp.

 

[Malk]

So, there is an action point system in D20 modern, didnt care much for that one.

There is an action point system in monte cooks arcana unearthed, that one was nice, liked it.

There was something in the d20 starwars that worked a lot like action points but i cant remember it exactly.

I imagine Eberron will use something similar to, but different from existent systems.

 

[Lichemaster]

Hypersmurf
Thanks for the link.

Malk
Thanks, I'll look into those games too.

 

[cnath.rm]

Spycraft had them first,

Spycraft had them first, but as they were ogl WoTC snagged
them for d20 Modern. Not sure if they changed the rules or
not, but I noticed the comment in Dragon and was somewhat
annoyed at their claims of having invented the mechanic.

 

[Ranger REG]

Sorry, Spycraft has "Action Dice." Wizards didn't based it from nor took AEG's rule mechanics, since d20 Modern have been in development for over a year before it launched in November 2002.

If you're thinking of Star Wars, it's called "Force Points." Because it is alloted so little (about one per character level, maximum of five for non-force-sensitive PCs), you can spend one and receive a force bonus (based on Xd6 roll) for the entire round on any and all d20 rolls (attack, saving throws, skill and ability checks).

Spycraft "Action Dice" is alloted more (but not kept) at the start of a new mission. Any unused "action dice" does not rollover to the next mission. You can only affect one d20 roll (or use them to activate critical hits).

d20 Modern "Action Point" is alloted more per character level, based on current class level. It only affects one d20 roll (or use them to activate special class feature like soldier class's critical hits). Any unused "action points" are kept and rollover for future adventures.

 

[MerricB]

What do people think of Spycraft's Action Dice system? I've only encountered it in Stargate SG-1, but it just seems to complicate the system more than usual, giving me an extra barrier to learning the rules.

I like the idea of action points/dice, and I'm looking forward to Eberron's version - I loved Force Points in the WEG Star Wars RPG - I'm just not sure of the Spycraft implementation.

Cheers!

 

[PennStud77]

I loved the Spycraft Action Dice mechanic, and didn't find it hard to understand at all. If you need a quick explanation, I can help given that I have explained it to a couple of new players. You can also go here for the AEG Spycraft Forums where the people are really nice and won't at all mind answering your questions, probably more thoroughly than you wanted them answered.

As for their difference from other gaming systems, it's good to know that if I START development of something and then, while still in development, take somebody else's idea and pawn it off as my own, I will have people like Ranger REG who will back me up simply because I started first...... REG, read your (very nicely done, btw) descriptions again. With the exception of a couple of very MINOR details (such as whether they roll over to the next session or how many rolls they effect) all three mechanics are almost identical.

 

[jmucchiello]

As for their difference from other gaming systems, it's good to know that if I START development of something and then, while still in development, take somebody else's idea and pawn it off as my own, I will have people like Ranger REG who will back me up simply because I started first...... REG, read your (very nicely done, btw) descriptions again. With the exception of a couple of very MINOR details (such as whether they roll over to the next session or how many rolls they effect) all three mechanics are almost identical.

Yes, Identical to fate points in Marvel Superheroes released in the late 80s.

Action Dice/Hero Points/Fate Points/etc have been in RPGs for decades. To imply that Wizards stole the idea from AEG without first claiming AEG stole the idea from TSR's Marvel Superheroes game (who stole it from someone else most likely) shows a lack of historic knowledge of RPGs.

 

[Davelozzi]

What do people think of Spycraft's Action Dice system? I've only encountered it in Stargate SG-1, but it just seems to complicate the system more than usual...

I love them and haven't found them to be complicated at all. I prefer them to d20 Modern's action points, although I'd have to say both are extremely similar. I guess I just like the scaling dice sizes in Spycraft better than the the scaling number of dice in Modern.