Problem with action points

[jeffh]

I didn't realize they weren't capped in D20 Modern. In D&D it works a little differently. (Action Points are not part of the core D&D rules, but they appear in Unearthed Arcana and the Eberron campaign setting). That version of the Action Point rules has them refresh to your maximum (5 + level/2, same as D20M IIRC) every time you gain a level, as opposed to simply gaining that many when you level which is what it sounds like D20M is doing. This means that you might as well use them up before you gain another level, since you'll end up with the same number post-level-up regardless of how many you have left. Since levels come fairly quickly, there's little point in hoarding APs.

I think that's all the fix you need. The per story arc rather than per level version sounds good until you consider that story arcs may be of very unequal length. Levels are too, a little bit (the first couple come much more quickly than later ones in most campaigns) but at least the increasing number of APs, and to some extent their increase in effectiveness at levels 7 and 14, makes them scale along with this phenomenon.

 

[Ranger REG]

I didn't realize they weren't capped in D20 Modern. In D&D it works a little differently. (Action Points are not part of the core D&D rules, but they appear in Unearthed Arcana and the Eberron campaign setting). That version of the Action Point rules has them refresh to your maximum (5 + level/2, same as D20M IIRC) every time you gain a level, as opposed to simply gaining that many when you level which is what it sounds like D20M is doing.

Actually, the rules in Unearthed Arcana and d20 Modern (the first WotC RPG to introduce action points) are exactly the same. If you still have a pool of AP when you level up, you add more to that pool. UA however, offer more options to use AP as opposed to d20 Modern rules.

 

[Psion]

I have never had a problem with my players hoarding action points. Quite the contrary -- they spend them like they are going out of style.

 

[operations]

My gamers (espically the gunslinger) uses them like mad too.

As for table or house rules for AP, here's what we currently do.

1) If you roll a 20 on a roll the GM calls for, you get an action point. (Combat, skill checks, saves, etc.)
2) If you roll a 20 when using an action point on a called for roll, you get 2 AP.

That's the only changes. You still get a new set at new levels, and can slowly regain AP (that 5% chance per roll).

KT

 

[Plane Sailing]

I like the Grim Tales rules

If you want to confirm a critical hit, you spend an action point.

If the GM wants to confirm a critical hit against you he gives you an action point.

In a case of parallel evolution, the Conan game positively encourages the GM to start a scenario with the PC's up poo creek without a paddle, but suggests that when you do this sort of thing you give them all a fate point as compensation (not to mention they'll probably need it...)

 

[humble minion]

If Action Points in general aren't your thing, try Swashbuckling Cards

*yank* Guess what's the latest house rule in my Star Wars game? (Do you reckon I should give these things to the Sith Lord too, just to make things interesting?)

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

"Ah HA, Darth Kruun! You were not expecting the chandelier to drop on your head, were you? ... In all honesty, neither was I. That wax looks like it burns."

APs in D&D would be interesting ... if it's an easy change for anybody, it would be for me, but D&D seems so overpowered already, ADDING options is the LAST thing I think I'd want to do.

--fje

 

[Kemrain]

If Action Points in general aren't your thing, try Swashbuckling Cards:

http://barsoom.hyboria.net/Swash.html

My players squeal like little girls when I hand these out. They're fun, funny, and can't be hoarded. Just little nuggets of inspiration when you need them. Alter how they get handed out -- nowadays I give out two per session, but for a while I was simply replacing them as they were used (so you always had one in your back pocket).

Seriously.

That is the coolest idea I've seen in ages! I'm gonna show my GM. Thanks!

- Kemrain the Imagining Stewardesses Squealing, with Glee.