The Odyssey System -- Stripped-down Hot Rod d20 rules

[Jackelope King]

You've got me curious enough to want to check out the Odyssey System, GMSkarka. I'll have to tip my hat to you for the generosity.

 

[jdrakeh]

We'll be selling a print version, but for those who want the PDF (either to play some pulp action, or just to check out the Odyssey System), we'll be giving it away. Free. Gratis.

Well, rock on! That is mighty cool of you

 

[Darrin Drader]

Well, on the upside, I like what I'm hearing. I like the fact that this is rules light but has the option to retain the strategic elements of D20. I think the skill system needs to be fiddled with a bit. Personally I like the idea of having a skill system where you simply choose the skills, but there is no skill rank, as that is a function of your level. Then, to make it so that characters can still grow, allow them to pick a new skill every few levels. Sure, it probably needs work. I also like the fact that there will be an SRD. I feel pretty strongly that the OGL and D20 game mechanics need to be preserved in one form or another in the 4E marketplace since there's a pretty good chance that WotC will have the power to revoke the GSL. If we want to keep playing in the same sandbox, we need to have a common game or two, and this sounds like a decent candidate.

What I don't like is that I've already hitched my Reign of Discordia cart to True20 and now this system will be competing with it. I know that the anticipation of Reign of Discordia has already brought new players to True20. One possible option would be to adapt Reign over to Odyssey after it's been out for a while if Odyssey ends up having a large enough fan base.

Lots to think over. I look forward to seeing it.

 

[Armadillo]

Errr... I asked that question in post 91. Post 93 has his response:

No, my question was about how they are addressing the balance in power levels, akin to the way Cini Unisystem uses Drama points to balance Heroes and White Hats.

 

[GMSkarka]

No, my question was about how they are addressing the balance in power levels, akin to the way Cini Unisystem uses Drama points to balance Heroes and White Hats.

I'm not sure what more you're looking for here. Yes, as I said, we have a number of genre-emulation rules, which include systems for handling groups of mixed-level heroes.

If you're demanding more specifics, all I can say is wait a few weeks and check out the PDF for free!

 

[Razuur]

I for one would love to hear more about your hit point/condition mechanic.

Any teasers in this area?

Razuur

 

[Aus_Snow]

I can't wait to see what this is like.

What I've read seems pretty encouraging, and Adamant tends to make some good stuff, so. . .

 

[GMSkarka]

I for one would love to hear more about your hit point/condition mechanic.

Any teasers in this area?

It's similar to Mutants & Masterminds' damage system (a CON-based saving throw), with results tracked on a condition chart similar to the sort used Star Wars Saga Edition, or the stress track in FATE/SOTC. The possible results of being hit are: No effect, or one or more steps on the Condition chart (which gives penalties to all rolls, etc.)

 

[Ilium]

I'm psyched about Odyssey. Between this and Pathfinder (for my fantasy fix) I'm officially in the "Not going to 4E" camp.

 

[Acid_crash]

I think the ultimate in stripped down d20 is to have all skills replaced by descriptive ratings that outline a character's history: Seal Training +5, Archaeology Professor +10, et c. This encourages character development and deals neatly with the skill/knowledge dichotomy (using the above, the archaeologist could make a roll for any field of knowledge that seems reasonable to the troupe). In the absence of an applicable description, an ability check would have to suffice.

Take a look at Spirit of the Century and the Fate system for how Aspects work, which is pretty much the same thing as you are talking about... and how they incorporate skills into the game. Plus, it's an OGL game that doesn't use the d20 system, but I think that Aspects could be a universal trait that could really expand how characters are seen and thought of.