Motivation
I want to list off some things that I like about the prototype Nuclear Beasts game system (not the setting, the system) and don't like. It was originally based on the Ironclaw system, so let's look at how it's different and why I wanted it that way...
- 6 base stats instead of 4: this gives us a little more room for variation, allows us to match a stat to every skill and makes having a single really high stat less overpowered because the broader ones in Ironclaw got split up here.
- Fewer skills: less to keep track of, less trouble with the GM adding new skills (particularly knowledges) all of the time.
- Bonuses and penalties handled as addition/subtraction: easier to do on the fly, supports "superhuman" stats by adding bonuses, etc..
- Always roll at least one Stat with Skill checks: just makes things more consistent and keeps the probabilities from varying all over the place.
- Stat & Stat rolls: makes stat checks keep the same basic probability as Stat & Skill checks instead of being a lot more random.
- Stats being limited to one die: well, the idea is to limit how "skilled" folks can get without actually buying skills. But of late I'm thinking this might not be necessary. I've got other ways (listed above) of countering that. It also restricts stats to a 1-5 scale, plus potential bonuses... but having a Muscles of 2d12 isn't really that superior to Muscles d12. Dunno. I might dump this change.
- Simplified combat system: this is more of a goal than an accomplishment. I'm still not happy with the overall system. I've probably changed this more than anything else.
Posted by Kiz at May 20, 2004 10:10 AM