Things from Other Editions/Games That Were Done Well & Should be Included in Some For

[Connorsrpg]

Please limit your entries to lists - take discussion of specific parts to another forum (as several of them may generate such discussion):

Just to get the lists rolling.

I for one thought Saga was the ideal link b/w 4E & 5E, so:

From Saga (Star Wars)

1. More penalties (several ranges, wounds pens/Condition track) and standard progression of penalties.
2. Talent Trees

 

[Zireael]

Fallout - Action Points (instead of action types)
Warhammer - brilliant class paths

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

Savage Worlds

• Bennies as a flexible GM reward
• A small number of powers, each made flexible by Trappings
• Multiple actions with penalties to each
• Fewer modifiers for really easy math

 

[keterys]

Burning Wheel
* Let it Ride
* Yes or Roll the Dice

FATE
* Aspects

 

[Connorsrpg]

Oh, I love me some Savage Worlds

I probably should have made the OP of this post clearer. Obviously the designers of the new ed of DnD are not going to add completely new mechanics to a core system meant to touch base with all editions of DnD.

I guess I meant other ways of handling very similar concepts in other d20 games. Whilst I would love to see some of the ideas mentioned, (esp bennies ) I think we should limit this to realistic DnD additions/modifications. Not that new stuff wouldn't work or be cool in my game, but keeping this within the bounds of where this thread is posted Thanks all.

 

[Connorsrpg]

[MENTION=61749]Jeff Carlsen[/MENTION]

The multiple actions at penalties could certainly work, but you don't want everyone just attempting them too often. Penalty would have to be big.

Actually SW Saga had a very good system to add extra attacks if you chose the feats to do so. (If feats make it in, but that is for another thread ).

 

[mkill]

Feng Shui
(Note that Robin D. Laws did some work on DMG II (IIRC))

* Initiative system (a gliding system where everyone acts several times per round, with different actions taking different time)

* Stunts (the game encourages heroic combat actions without a complicated framework, better than 4E)

This RPG also had minions long before 4E, and probably inspired them.

 

[Glade Riven]

Star Wars Saga:

• Use the Force mechanic retooled into psionics (I know, I know, save it for the splat)
• Easy conversion to grouped-units-as-single-monster and mass battles (I guess...another splat?)

d20 Modern:

• Talent Trees (also used well in SW:Saga), especially for melee combatants.
• a 5e compatable d20 modern/past/future (Splaaaaat)

3.5:

• Bo9S Blade Magic. Most likely in as an option due to 4e's similar power style
• Kruthiks! Also in 4e; for some reason I like the little zergling knockoffs.

4e:

• At-will minor spellcasting for spellcasters.
• Paragon tier. I like how it was a way to add flavor to a character at higher levels without prestige classing.

 

[Zireael]

Tell me more about the Talent Trees, please? In what way are they different to feat chains of 3.0/3.5?

 

[Glade Riven]

Mainly, the way it is organized and presented. Feat chains as presented in 3.5 and Pathfinder are a little messy. Talent Trees are feat chains that are limited to one class, and as such are listed with that class instead of simply dumped into the general feat population. d20 Modern and Star Wars Saga had several Talent Trees per class, plus a list of bonus feats. Typically, a talent selection and a bonus feat alternated each level. It made things very flexible and modular. This was sort of incorporated into 4e with martial powers.