Matrix : Bringing New Players to the Table

[FCWesel]

Hey all.

I am sure it has been discussed several (billion) times before, but I am going to bring it up again. Next weekend I have several brand-new (fresh out of the wrapper with that new car smell)players coming to try gaming. I thought that i would try and run a Matrix game for them as its a world I know they know (have seen the movies a lot of times and enjoy).

I am thinking D20 Modern, but I am trying to figure out mechanics for the following:

* Ultra movements, jumps, slo-mos and so on.
* Uploaded skills (like the girl learning the copter flight on the fly)
* Do the computer chip skills learned only apply "in the Matrix"? I am thinking they do. It one thing to "flash-learn" somethng and having the mind simply accept something as known, but even if it was learned...the real body would not be trained for such movements, ideas and would likely hurt itself.
* Skepticism and Self. how to create a "level of believeability". After all, even Neo had a hard time stepping away form the "real" world for the Real World. An deven then, he still had some time and trails in "getting it".

I am thinking of having the PCs each a 2nd level person to represent "lived life", perhaps giving them two sets of skills and Feats: Real and Matrix?

Any thoughts? Ideas?

 

[Dareoon Dalandrove]

Ok I hope this doesn't burst your bubble but this is not the best idea for brand new players. If you are still in the process of defineing rules then you can't expect new players, especially brand new players to adapt. I would start out with something simple with everything by the book. then once everyone is familair with the rules go ahead and change them.

For instance you could say that they are in the world of the matrix but either a. are in the real world and can't enter the matrix yet. or b. are in the matrix but haven't been taught how to break the rules.

As for the jumping and fast movement easy. Use magic. Jumping adds what a + 30. similiar effects can easily be handled.

 

[jerichothebard]

I am thinking D20 Modern, but I am trying to figure out mechanics for the following:

* Ultra movements, jumps, slo-mos and so on.
* Uploaded skills (like the girl learning the copter flight on the fly)
* Do the computer chip skills learned only apply "in the Matrix"? I am thinking they do. It one thing to "flash-learn" somethng and having the mind simply accept something as known, but even if it was learned...the real body would not be trained for such movements, ideas and would likely hurt itself.
* Skepticism and Self. how to create a "level of believeability". After all, even Neo had a hard time stepping away form the "real" world for the Real World. An deven then, he still had some time and trails in "getting it".

I am thinking of having the PCs each a 2nd level person to represent "lived life", perhaps giving them two sets of skills and Feats: Real and Matrix?

Any thoughts? Ideas?

Well, here are some seriously prototype rules from another thread at the Game Mechanics message board -
Hope they help - my thoughts are the second post in the chain...

jericho

 

[Zef]

Maybe the best approuch is to have a standard modern game and let then see some matrix moves in action after the first couple of games. Then you could be working on the matrix stuff and it will get there maximum interest too

Zef

 

[RangerWickett]

If you're willing to slightly sidestep genres a bit, Natural 20 Press's Four-Color to Fantasy d20 supers rules are compatible with both D&D and D20 Modern. I was thinking about how to handle The Matrix, and I figured that the best thing to do is make characters gain experience through all their adventures, i the Matrix or outside it, but whenever they gain levels they can choose to gain real classes that work in both settings, or the Hero class, which has 'super powers' that only work in the Matrix.

Additionally, characters can temporarily gain new knowledge (skills and feats) by having it downloaded into their brain.

Characters still in the Matrix are at most probably 3rd level, and that's assuming they somehow had adventures there, like if they were cops or criminals. If people see things that are unbelievable or impossible, you can do two things. The first, more complicated choice is to use the sanity rules from Call of Cthulhu. However, I think simply requiring a Will save (DC depends on the situation) is better; failing the Will save dazes you for a round.


Character Creation & Development:
Bear in mind, these rules don't apply to Neo, because he is, after all, the messiah. These apply to normal folks, like you, me, and Trinity.

When they are unhooked and given training, you gain up to two new levels, which are downloaded into your mind. These can work in the real world and in the Matrix, but two levels is the maximum you can safely download. Anything else you must learn through actual experience.

Additionally, you gain two levels in the Hero class. Levels of Hero only have an effect in the Matrix. The Hero class can give you bonus feats, bonus skills, or 'super powers,' like Leap of the Clouds to jump super far, or the supreme reflexes these folks showcase. Most characters only have one level of Hero at most, mostly for jumping and gunplay.

At any given time, you may download an amount of Hero Points worth of knowledge equal to your intelligence score, though this knowledge only stays for an hour before it has to be reloaded. Loading takes just one full round. If you want, you can of course practice in the Matrix to 'really learn' a skill, but you have to first gain levels.


When you level up, you can gain normal classes or you can take levels of Hero. Usually, you can just take normal classes, since they help in both realms, but some powers you can only get through the Hero class, like impossible skill levels.

May be a little too complex for new players, though.