DNW Question....

[NeuroZombie]

How does Deeds Not Words balance with standard d20 races and classes? Are they attributed ECL's to balance them out or is it not even considered?

I am curious as I am on the cusp of purchasing it, but I have not ben impressed with most of the other d20 supers systems so far. The only one that I have not read all the way through is the ENworld one, but I was noty overly impressed with the preview so I will pass on that one.

As of now, I am planning on using a modified version of Paragon, but even that is not exactly what I want.

 

[John Lorenzsonn]

Deeds doesn't really balance against DnD directly, but it may when other factors are taken into account. The origins(races) aren't much stronger than any DnD race initially, but the acquisition of super-powers may change that. Human characters, in exchange for their lack of super-powers, are given additional bonus feats. The classes provide more benefits than standard DnD ones, with very few dead levels, as a Deeds character will have very few, if not no magic items. A DnD character is expected to have many thousands of gp worth at higher levels.

ECLs aren't there, well not exactly, anyway. Instead of ECL, a mechanic called the Experience Tithe is implemented. The more super-powers a character has, the greater his tithe. While a character has an unpaid Exp Tithe, half of all exp he earns goes toward paying it off. Example: if I had a 3,000 point Exp Tithe, it would be paid off once a total of 6,000 Exp had been earned - 3,000 goes to pay the tithe, while the other 3,000 is applied to the character normally.

More questions?

 

[NeuroZombie]

So slower advancement is the balancing factor. That works

Thanx!

 

[Scott Lynch]

What John said, and...

John (as usual) covered everything pretty well, but there is an optional use of the Experience Tithe for games and groups where slower advancement is not seen as a balancing factor (like, say, one-shots).

You can add up the XP Tithe of all the super-characters in the game, average it, and give that average to all the human characters in the game as XP for the purposes of leveling up. Thus, you could have a team of 1st level super-beings with a nice assortment of powers, mixed in with a group of 2nd-8th level "ordinary" humans who are much less likely to get blown away and outclassed by the super-capabilities of their comrades and foes.

If you have any specific questions, Neuro, ask away! My e-mail box is always open (scott@allforart.com).

Cheers,

SL

 

[NeuroZombie]

Thanks Scott, I'm already sold, just waiting for my paycheck

 

[Wikidogre]

Crap!, i saw this post, then i had my day off work, and then lost it, and then (Just Now) found only to find my response thwarted!


Oh well......(Wait a minute!?!)....Neuro if you need conversions, and ideas and questions go to my site. new updates are ready to go, but my webmaster...he is slacking slightly.....that and i am html illiterate.

By the way Scott....Smackdown Rocks!

 

[cybernetic]

Yeah I know....I'm slacking a bit....but I'll make up for it....

I'm working on two complete fan-setting netbooks for the site!...one for a high-fantasy wuxia setting similar to the worlds from Storm Riders, Zu Warriors, and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon....as well another more humourous far future/post apocalyptic super world... both for those intelligent ones who own/play Deeds Not Words!!

 

[Scott Lynch]

Frost fists, cloud kicks...

*Storm Riders* is such a fantastic flick... honestly, it's where most of the ideas for DNW's "super martial arts campaign" came from.

Heh. Very cool. Keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers,

SL

 

[cybernetic]

I just have so much more respect for you now Mr. Lynch!! Not many people I've spoke with have seen Storm Riders....(myself I have it on dvd and on vhs.. )

 

[Falanor]

*drools like Homer* Storm Riders...mmm...good movie...I love the Action Channel...*goes back to watching the Action Channel*