Elimination of stats

[Tinker Gnome]

I just had an idea for a system in which stats are eliminated and you only go by the BAB and saves given in the book. PCs would get the same amount of skill points, but would just use the points and have no ability modifiers for them. Yeah, I know this idea sounds crazy and I will probably never use it, but I had to throw it out there.

 

[Crothian]

what would you base spells on? what about encumbrance? What about drowning rules? THere area few rules that rely on only attributes.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

I never said I gave said idea much thought did I? I was just throwing it out there really.

 

[Crothian]

I know, I'm just pointing out some potential problems. That and I like stats for characters. In fact there is not a single RPG that I can think of that does not use stats of some kind.

 

[Psimancer]

I tried this a while ago with my own homebrew system, and the biggest problem I had was acceptance from the playtest group – players like stats, they give them something to grasp onto.

Having said that, yes it can work, but you would have to add some new skills or feats to replace certain concepts and/or base certain things on character/class level. The biggest problem you will find is physical stat – the question of ‘how much can I ____’ will keep coming up. A series of feats may fix the problem…

If you get a chance have a look at FUDGE RPG ( http://www.fudgerpg.com/fudge/ ), despite having stats, skills do not get bonuses from them – if you want a skill of X, buy it to that level. One major advantage (or disadvantage, depending on how you view it) is that it removes a lot of the ‘economy’ of character creation…

 

[Nifft]

I never said I gave said idea much thought

Thanks for that. We all appreciate non-thought.

-- N

 

[Tonguez]

It is possible to play games which just use verbal descriptors rather than numerical ones. Such games tend to be more abstract and suit a modern and or roleplay intensive (ie Soap Opera) type game. Also it will probably need something like 'Action Points' to do stuff not covered by the descriptors

So lets assume we want to play the DnD Soap Opera Game

Jack is a Highly Charismatic, Athletic rogue of average intelligence
He takes skills (6 points): Diplomacy 3 ranks, Bluff 2 Ranks, Climb 1 Rank
Being athletic he takes a Martial Arts feat giving him BAb +2 and AC +2
He also has 5 Action Points

Michelle is an Attractive, motivated, intelligent Aristocrat, Skills Diplomacy 4, Sense Motive 2 Feat:Beguiling Beauty (+2 Diplomacy and Bluff vs members of the opposite sex) she has no combat ability and thus BAb -4. She has 5 Action points

Jack and Michele meet in a bar and Jack tries to pick her up using his Diplomacy (roll D20+3) to which Michelle counters with Diplomacy D20+6). Anyway Jack being highly charismatic is allowed to add an Acton point to increase his roll by d6 - he now has 4 Action points left

On the way home they are in an accident and Michelle gets trapped in an overturned cart. She attempts to lift it off herself, which the DM declares (based on rules in the Soap DMG) is DC 20 (she rolls a 9 and decides to spend 2 action points for a +2d6 bonus) - she now has 3 action points left

Of course if Jack, being athletic, had of tried to lift the cart the DC may have been 15 or even 10 if the DM is feeling generous


Anyway - it might work in the right circumstances

 

[Jdvn1]

Anyway - it might work in the right circumstances

It might be really fun to watch/play too!

 

[Thanee]

Even Amber has stats... no BAB, saves, and such, tho.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Turanil]

I just had an idea for a system in which stats are eliminated and you only go by the BAB and saves given in the book. PCs would get the same amount of skill points, but would just use the points and have no ability modifiers for them. Yeah, I know this idea sounds crazy and I will probably never use it, but I had to throw it out there.

Cool. Myself I had nothing to answer, but I had to tell it anyway just to increase my post count.