Alternity 2e Wish List

[dm4hire]

I think one change that should be made, it's more of a layout issue, is that there should be just one core book.

I like the step mechanic and agree it should be kept, but now that there are new sizes of dice I've wondered about replacing the d6 with a d16 to give it a curve. So you'd have d4, d8, d12, d16, d20, 2d20, 3d20 for your situation dice. I’ve pondered adding d24, but that throws off the top end of the dice pool and given the bonus steps only go to d20 it seems a little unnecessary.

 

[minitrue]

I'd like to see the material from Mindwalking, and Beyond Science consolidated into the core rules.

 

[DMH]

I like the step mechanic and agree it should be kept, but now that there are new sizes of dice I've wondered about replacing the d6 with a d16 to give it a curve. So you'd have d4, d8, d12, d16, d20, 2d20, 3d20 for your situation dice. I’ve pondered adding d24, but that throws off the top end of the dice pool and given the bonus steps only go to d20 it seems a little unnecessary.

There has been a couple people who suggested 2d8, 3d8, etc. to replace the d20 modifier. It does make a nice curve and doesn't require a new die size.

 

[tyrlaan]

TBH, I'd just play it as is. Many of the ideas folks are throwing out here are good ones, but really I found it ran pretty well. 3e systems are a good place to look for idea mining I suppose since it's basically 3e's granddaddy.

Someone above mentioned rules and flavor mixing. I love this concept, but really didn't think Alternity actually did this out of the box, though perhaps my memory is failing me.

Part of me would want to see Alternity using 4e rules, but that's really just because (a) I want to see sci-fi done 4e and (b) I love me my Alternity.

Eh, not the most constructive post, but then I'm still working on my first cup of coffee for the day

 

[DMH]

Part of me would want to see Alternity using 4e rules, but that's really just because (a) I want to see sci-fi done 4e and (b) I love me my Alternity.

I assume you mean the settings since Alternity and 4e are incompatible as engines. You might find the 7th edition of Gamma World (out in October) useful.

Something else I would like to see are minisettings where the rules (optional and core) are altered to fit the setting. It would give GMs and players ideas on how to really use the Alternity engine to make it fit their play.

 

[dm4hire]

There has been a couple people who suggested 2d8, 3d8, etc. to replace the d20 modifier. It does make a nice curve and doesn't require a new die size.

The only problem I have with that is multiple d8s eventually remove the probability of getting under the score needed for an amazing result. It might be an inconvenience to add in a d16 but it still allows for the adding of minimum of roll of one, so if both dice come up one (totaling two) there's a good chance you'd still make an amazing roll which the odds are meant to allow. The key balancing the curve by adding a d16 is to keep the odds in balance so the characters still have a chance no matter how outlandish the roll required might be. It's also quite thrilling to see someone drop four ones expecting to just barely be able to pull off the near impossible.

Something else I would like to see are minisettings where the rules (optional and core) are altered to fit the setting. It would give GMs and players ideas on how to really use the Alternity engine to make it fit their play.

I've often thought that if a clone were made that a good setting would be something along the lines of DragonStar. DragonStar was a nice setting but needed a lot of work as far as balancing it but it definitely showed that sci-fi/fantasy settings could be popular.

 

[nightwyrm]

Not to derail the thread, but who has a d16? What does it even look like?

 

[Stormonu]

Not to derail the thread, but who has a d16? What does it even look like?

It looks like a d10 with a few too many sides, basically. Which also makes it a minor problem as I continously have players who already confuse d8's and d10s. Throwing a d16 in is just asking for more trouble.

Personally, I'd just be happy with Alternity being put back into print as-is (though the XP progression really is more cumbersome than it needs to be). I'd rather not see it be based off 4E, because one of alternity's strengths was that it was a skill-based system.

 

[Hawke]

I dug Alternity. I wonder if there's really a path for it, though. I mean you could always do a setting book using 4E mechanics. Do they want to do a full release with cards, etc. like Gammaworld?

I had a player play their entire first day (and 4e game) in KotS with a d12 instead of a d20 before anybody noticed. Whoops!

 

[arscott]

After running a Dark Matter game using the Alternity Rules, I've decided that Alternity is a bit too clunky for my tastes.

I've actually developed a quick and dirty system inspired by alternity for dark matter convention games--Different sized dice, degrees of success, broad and narrow skills, perks, flaws, and low rolls are good.

Honestly, I think that Dark Matter and Star drive are different enough that they shouldn't really share an RPG engine. DM should be very investigation focused, PCs in over their heads--like call of cthulhu. SD should feature more capable PCs that are as adept at combat and exploration as they are at investigation and intrigue. Honestly, I think taking 4e, stripping out level scaled hp & damage and eliminating most class powers, while simultaneously beefing up feats and skills, will make a really good ruleset for Star Drive.