Shadowdark Shadowdark Discussion Thread [+]

[Fenris-77]

SDs action economy is very firmly based around 1 attack per round and no extra actions period. New mechanics that touch on that would need to be very carefully designed.

Something simple in two round parry-riposte might work. The first turn you sacrifice your attack and take +2 AC, then the next turn you can take +2 to hit and an extra weapon damage die the next turn. The overall mechanical stuff balances just shifted around a two-turn loop, but it has the feel of parry-riposte without a lot of bookkeeping. Then you can add something in the Duelist talents table to play with the basic mechanic (up the AC, more damage, etc).

That's just one example (that I just made up) but I think there's lots of cool stuff you could do in that space, but I don't think anything that grants extra attacks has much chance of being balanced. The trick with SD classes is to keep them simple yet evocative.

 

[Reynard]

Maybe

Parry and Riposte: When the Duelist is hit by an enemy welding a weapon, the duelist may roll their Parry die (starts at d6 and goes up) plus their attack bonus. Reduce the damage taken by the result. If the total exceeds the damage, the enemy takes the difference from the riposte. The Duelist can use this ability x times per rest (whatever balances with other class abilities).

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I might just have your duelist generate luck points in return for not getting hit while in melee combat, rather than extra attacks. Which would create an incentive to be using luck points constantly, since normally, characters are capped on how many luck points they can carry. (I'd probably have a duelist have an extra luck point they could carry and make that a random talent as well.)

So while the duelist isn't doing extra attacks, they are doing flashy stuff the entire time, which fits the archetype.

I'd probably also give them double DEX bonus to AC while in melee, but limit them to light armor.

 

[Fenris-77]

I might just have your duelist generate luck points in return for not getting hit while in melee combat, rather than extra attacks. Which would create an incentive to be using luck points constantly, since normally, characters are capped on how many luck points they can carry. (I'd probably have a duelist have an extra luck point they could carry and make that a random talent as well.)

So while the duelist isn't doing extra attacks, they are doing flashy stuff the entire time, which fits the archetype.

I'd probably also give them double DEX bonus to AC while in melee, but limit them to light armor.

Luck points on misses is probably waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy too many luck points, but I like general the notion a lot. Let me cogitate a bit. My idea above I like almost enough write up for myself.

 

[Fenris-77]

What if the Duelist did the parry-riposte thing and either hits for the extra damage or gets a luck token on a miss? Just spitballing.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Luck points on misses is probably waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy too many luck points, but I like general the notion a lot. Let me cogitate a bit. My idea above I like almost enough write up for myself.

It definitely needs testing, but if they only generate on a miss, and you give a duelist a d6 or d8 for hit points, rather than a fighter's d10, there's inherent risk for the duelist wading in to battle, even if they're using a luck point most turns.

 

[Fenris-77]

It definitely needs testing, but if they only generate on a miss, and you give a duelist a d6 or d8 for hit points, rather than a fighter's d10, there's inherent risk for the duelist wading in to battle, even if they're using a luck point most turns.

Yup, that's certainly the case, or could be. I like mechanics that have critical decision points baked in. Personally, that a dull player might get their PC killed because they fail to adequately gauge the consequences of their actions doesn't bother me over much.

It doesn't have to be that version of on a miss, or any version of it, that was just an idle though. General on a miss though is hoo-boy awesome.

News anchor voice: Parties of Duelists have invaded the Western Reaches. The authorities are helpless. This is the end of all things.

 

[Scribe]

Anyone know these people?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/storyforgerpg/dark-times-a-shadowdark-adventure-collection/description

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Anyone know these people?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/storyforgerpg/dark-times-a-shadowdark-adventure-collection/description

Only from their Facebook ads.

 

[Fenris-77]

If I need a verification code to view their KS I don't need to view their KS.

In other news, the Alchemist will be probably be out tomorrow. I just ginned up a spot ad for the release. Thoughts?

Links will follow the ad.