I think one of the most overlooked rpg games in the industry (not to mention coolest) is the point based Everstone: Blood Legacy games. Although it uses many aspects from BESM d20, it is a self contained game (needing only the players handbook, lol, like many self contained d20 games really need the players handbook!).
My point is this. I think that the future of D&D is to use this method of point based characters, even though they have levels. Although M&M was point based it was a lot of legwork to create a character. Thing is about E:BL is that it is not as much work and still has a strong need for character classes. It simply allows the players to choose which ability (feat) they get every level, instead of having to wait for it. In this way every warrior, thief, barbarian, etc. is different.
Iron golem games has released a free online book which breaks the classes down into usable abilities (not the generic wide open format that BESM d20 does). They can easily be dropped into any campaign (we know because we tried it). We use the point based classes and traditional classes and I have to say that most of the players opted to start their character over after a few levels. The point based system was simply an awesome aspect. Of course there will be arguments to "mini-maxers" but I think it works very well. We have two mini-maxers in our game and of course they love it. But our more Role-playing players seem to love it as well. The classes list enough abilities that each is pleased.
Its kind of hard to explain. If you want to see what kind of point based system i'm talking about you should check out the FREE book at (www.irongolemgames.com). We play the core Everstone game but one of our GM's has allowed the use of the free books classes in his Forgotten Realms campaign and it is amazing how well it works out.
What does everybody else think about these classes, or point based d20 games?
My point is this. I think that the future of D&D is to use this method of point based characters, even though they have levels. Although M&M was point based it was a lot of legwork to create a character. Thing is about E:BL is that it is not as much work and still has a strong need for character classes. It simply allows the players to choose which ability (feat) they get every level, instead of having to wait for it. In this way every warrior, thief, barbarian, etc. is different.
Iron golem games has released a free online book which breaks the classes down into usable abilities (not the generic wide open format that BESM d20 does). They can easily be dropped into any campaign (we know because we tried it). We use the point based classes and traditional classes and I have to say that most of the players opted to start their character over after a few levels. The point based system was simply an awesome aspect. Of course there will be arguments to "mini-maxers" but I think it works very well. We have two mini-maxers in our game and of course they love it. But our more Role-playing players seem to love it as well. The classes list enough abilities that each is pleased.
Its kind of hard to explain. If you want to see what kind of point based system i'm talking about you should check out the FREE book at (www.irongolemgames.com). We play the core Everstone game but one of our GM's has allowed the use of the free books classes in his Forgotten Realms campaign and it is amazing how well it works out.
What does everybody else think about these classes, or point based d20 games?
