Hi folks,
I have been experimenting with 'per encounter' systems for a couple of months now, and want to ask the advice of the community on where I should go from here. The system would incorporate spells and maneuvers seamlessly, and be limited to six class levels (since I'm fond of E6). I use 'power' here to mean spell, maneuver, trick, psionic power, invocation, etc.
The idea was that the system would have 1st-3rd level powers (which would function like Book of Nine Swords maneuvers), 1st-3rd level mantles (stances from Bo9S) and 1st-5th level rituals (incantations from Unearthed Arcana).
After looking at Star Wars Saga Edition, however, I realised I might not need to sort powers into levels at all. Instead, there could be powers usable each combat, powers usable each combat but costing an action point, and powers usable each combat but with another cost. This might be more satisfactory, but could also lead to scattered options (that is, when generating a character you don't know where to look for the options you want).
For an example of the two systems:
Jezar the Enlightened Anchorite (Bo9S System)
Knows 1st-level Flight of the Eagle, Graceful Step, Thundering Fists, 2nd-level Jade Emperor's Recoil, Susurrus, 3rd-level Ghoul's Kiss.
Prepared at the Moment Ghoul's Kiss, Thundering Fists, Susurrus.
When Jezar enters combat, he can use each of his prepared powers once, and then must spend a full-round to reprepare one power, rest a minute to recover all of them, or rest for five minutes to prepare his powers anew.
Jezar the Enlightened Anchorite (SECR System)
Invocations Thundering Fists x2
Spells Jade Emperor's Recoil, Susurrus
Hexes Ghoul's Kiss
When Jezar enters combat, he can use each of his invocations once, and then must spent an action point or rest a minute to refresh them (so he can use them all again). He can also spend an action point to use either of his spells, and spend an action point and take 1d6 points of Strength damage to use Ghoul's Kiss.
SECR and Bo9S are both very popular, but I'm interested in your opinions on which system suits generic d20 fantasy the best. I am concerned that with SECR characters will just repeat the same tactics again and again, and I hope Bo9S will avoid this problem to one degree or another. Is that the view of people that have used both books?
Also, is it preferable to have class power lists, or let people choose any power they want, or something else (for example, sort them based on theme - the Talent for Archery gives you 1 or more archery powers, the Talent for Transmutation gives you 1 or more transmutation powers).
Thanks for your feedback.
I have been experimenting with 'per encounter' systems for a couple of months now, and want to ask the advice of the community on where I should go from here. The system would incorporate spells and maneuvers seamlessly, and be limited to six class levels (since I'm fond of E6). I use 'power' here to mean spell, maneuver, trick, psionic power, invocation, etc.
The idea was that the system would have 1st-3rd level powers (which would function like Book of Nine Swords maneuvers), 1st-3rd level mantles (stances from Bo9S) and 1st-5th level rituals (incantations from Unearthed Arcana).
After looking at Star Wars Saga Edition, however, I realised I might not need to sort powers into levels at all. Instead, there could be powers usable each combat, powers usable each combat but costing an action point, and powers usable each combat but with another cost. This might be more satisfactory, but could also lead to scattered options (that is, when generating a character you don't know where to look for the options you want).
For an example of the two systems:
Jezar the Enlightened Anchorite (Bo9S System)
Knows 1st-level Flight of the Eagle, Graceful Step, Thundering Fists, 2nd-level Jade Emperor's Recoil, Susurrus, 3rd-level Ghoul's Kiss.
Prepared at the Moment Ghoul's Kiss, Thundering Fists, Susurrus.
When Jezar enters combat, he can use each of his prepared powers once, and then must spend a full-round to reprepare one power, rest a minute to recover all of them, or rest for five minutes to prepare his powers anew.
Jezar the Enlightened Anchorite (SECR System)
Invocations Thundering Fists x2
Spells Jade Emperor's Recoil, Susurrus
Hexes Ghoul's Kiss
When Jezar enters combat, he can use each of his invocations once, and then must spent an action point or rest a minute to refresh them (so he can use them all again). He can also spend an action point to use either of his spells, and spend an action point and take 1d6 points of Strength damage to use Ghoul's Kiss.
SECR and Bo9S are both very popular, but I'm interested in your opinions on which system suits generic d20 fantasy the best. I am concerned that with SECR characters will just repeat the same tactics again and again, and I hope Bo9S will avoid this problem to one degree or another. Is that the view of people that have used both books?
Also, is it preferable to have class power lists, or let people choose any power they want, or something else (for example, sort them based on theme - the Talent for Archery gives you 1 or more archery powers, the Talent for Transmutation gives you 1 or more transmutation powers).
Thanks for your feedback.
