N.E.W. Playtest Document [July 2014]

[fyrissian]

First actual read-thru, looking at rolling up a human from scratch.

Question about the Adjustments to starting Height and Weight (p. 32). Is there no value for "no change to default"? If not, and it makes sense for the character to simply BE average, I humbly suggest using 7 for that slot -- "sorry mate, you're absolutely average". Or does the player simply decide to be average and not bother rolling?

 

[Morrus]

Seems to be extraordinary. 500 per rank of the power?? so to learn Electrokinetic Blast IV. it will cost 2,000 EXP?? 1,000 more for an additional target and 1,500 for for another target??? The Psion will have spent 4,500 that on ONE power while other characters go up in careers??

No - you only buy it the once. The extra ranks are just related to power you pump into it at the time of use. So it's a rank IV power, and you buy it as a rank IV power, but when you use it if your PSI attribute is 6, you could use it as a rank VI power (i.e. spend more HEALTH powering it). Just means the powers themselves grow more powerful as you do.

How did the iconic character start with a rank 5 skill?? He took Psychic three times. He ended up with 2 additional powers besides the basic Psi-blast which he extended, one rank 1, one rank 5? how does he get the rank 5 power?? Could he have taken a rank 9 power? why Not? And considering the cost of these powers would it not make more sense to take 2 high rank skills from the career rather than pay the huge exp cost>

You caught a mistake there - thanks. First, psychometabolism is supposed to be rank III. Second, the third power should be telekinetic shield. I've updated the document.

Actually looking at cost to gain skills I see that a shooter will have increased his skill about 2 ranks. What do you expect the average gaming session of 4 hours to award in EXP?

Starting characters will have to defeat a level 6 opponent EACH to gain approximately 600 points? even with a matching mission bonus that's a lot of shooting to raise their laser rifle skill from 3 -4.

That's what we're playtesting to find out! The XP costs were increased from the previous document as folks were reporting they were advancing far too quickly. So now we have some new figures to playtest! It might end up that the optimum point is somewhere in-between, but that's what this process is all about.

 

[Morrus]

First actual read-thru, looking at rolling up a human from scratch.

Question about the Adjustments to starting Height and Weight (p. 32). Is there no value for "no change to default"? If not, and it makes sense for the character to simply BE average, I humbly suggest using 7 for that slot -- "sorry mate, you're absolutely average". Or does the player simply decide to be average and not bother rolling?

Well, the starting values aren't "average", they're "starting values". Average is a range (a roll of 5-9 on 2d6), but has a little variation. I'd designate starting +1" as average if you want a precise mathematical average point.

 

[Morrus]

I've created and purchased a hardcover PoD version on Lulu for myself, as I personally like to have a hard copy of each iteration for posterity. Plus I get a buzz out of looking at it.

I don't expect for one second anyone else will want one (and they're not cheap at $99) but since it's there, here's the link. Honestly, though, that's really just there for me.

 

[barasawa]

Ashonn missing from Iconics

The character of Ashonn is described in the Iconics section, he's the venetian star knight, but there's no character sheet for him. (I many have mis-spelled some things in this post.)

 

[Morrus]

The character of Ashonn is described in the Iconics section, he's the venetian star knight, but there's no character sheet for him. (I many have mis-spelled some things in this post.)

Here he is! (Though the name of the Monastery career got changed to Novice).

 

[Tigerlil]

Started reading the document from scratch as if I'd never read the older ones (on holiday so loads of time ahhhh)

I will keep updating when I find things:

P11 scaling, no reference to how big the scaling is, used to be ~x10 didn't it?
P15. Sherlock has intellect instead of logic in the example
P22 example math is off. 2 in a skill only grant 1d now right?

 

[Morrus]

P11 scaling, no reference to how big the scaling is, used to be ~x10 didn't it?

Yep, I removed that. It didn't quite work. The x10 was kind of arbitrary, and a ship racing a person is kind of an unlikely scanario.

P15. Sherlock has intellect instead of logic in the example

Darnit!

P22 example math is off. 2 in a skill only grant 1d now right?

Yep! Good catch.

 

[Tigerlil]

P26 ogrons smell bad, this is represented by low charisma, but it isn't low
P60 starbase assignment is not repeatable, but you can get reassigned to it on a roll of 1 or 2


Other observations:
P62 I love the jed....oh wait no STAR knight


Psionics. I still don't like the very VERY limited routes in to psionic careers. Giving the majority of careers that grant +psi a requirement of 2+ psi is in my opinion a bit off. I would love a "criminal/rogue psion" or "unlicensed psion" or "late talent" careers. This is especially important for "all human" settings where venetians aren't an option. At the moment you HAVE to be a talent, and then a faith healer before you can do any the psi careers. It's just not as elegant as the rest of the careers system in my opinion.
As an experiment I am going to remove all atribute restrictions from classes, and see if it breaks the system. I theorise it won't, as i think they are there more for flavour than for balance. I would rather my players make interesting leaps and jumps throughout their career than get stopped by arbitrary rules

 

[barasawa]

Thanks for Ashonn

Thanks again for Ashonn, I really wanted to see that one.