1) Adding a Charisma Attribute-There are skills and situations where using IQ is "okay" but a Charisma attribute might be better for character interaction/reaction tests and for some skills.
2) Brace yourself as this one is much more "heretical" --using d20's to resolve tests. As the Blades and Black Magic uses a 3 tiered skill system (Inexperienced/Trained/ Expert) it works well with the bell curve d6 system as written--but could also work with d20 as follows:
- Inexeprienced, roll 2d20, use the highest die roll
- Trained-roll 1d20
- Expert Roll 2d20, use lowest die roll
Yup I understand and do love the d6 bell curve, and have it as the core mechanic currently but its interesting to see what might be possible using the d20 mechanic.
I would not say this is a Richard Dreyfus "this means something" moment, but I think it is important to look at different possibilities.
As always, appreciate your thoughts
d20?!? Oh, the agony!!!
ReplyDeleteJust kidding. But it is my knee-jerk reaction as I am attached to the d6 for TFT games and its relatives and descendants. However, you do what you do because you do it well.
There is plenty of d20's in the market. Don't do it, please... Don't go in the wrong direction. 3d6 it's the best solution.
ReplyDeleteHA! understood gentlemen. What about the Charisma stat, do you think that adds more role-playing opportunities?
ReplyDeleteI've been pondering Charisma and can see how it would be useful for NPC reactions. How would you use it in regards to skills?
ReplyDeleteFor TFT, my rule of thumb has always been - unless EVERYONE from the farmer to the king to every orc and goblin needs this as a statistic, then don't do it. So that leaves Charisma better as a Talent than as a stat (same for any form of 'endurance' FWIW). As far as d20's go, I just wouldn't play it.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the feed back, thank you!
DeleteI think I'd be disappointed if either of these changes were made.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Charisma, I'm wondering if some kind of table couldn't be used instead of creating an entirely new Attribute -- especially since this particular attribute is sort of off the more common path in terms of attributes that people like to add. Perhaps a specialized "reaction" table of some kind? Or you could take a look at ITL's "personality traits" to create some kind of continuum on which characters can interact without the need to add a completely new (and, sadly, only somewhat useful, in particular situations) attribute.
Now that's thinking outside of the box. Well outside of the box I think in at least. Charisma as a skill. Hurm...
ReplyDeleteGreat feedback all. While the system (d6 based) will not change--I will include d20 resolution as an option in the Appendix. It does work either way, btu the experience is certainly different!
ReplyDeleteOkay as to concept of a "Charisma" attribute (or Charm? or Soul? or possibly Spirit?) The initial concept being some skills benefit from potentiality being tied to this type of attribute (interactions/reactions with strangers, Fast Talk, acting/disguise/ haggling, persuasion/charm).
Certainly it can be done without this attribute--but is it better to have a specific attribute to tie it to both mechanically and logically?
Not sure it is, but I prefer to ask and play it through than assume you know the answer because "thats's the way it's always been done."
Eduardo's suggestion of "soul" instead "charisma" also made me ponder the concept of "spirit" as an attribute. Spirit as an attribute could could be used for religious based invocations which would be different than spells thematically--but mechanically it ends up being Roll v Spirit instead of Roll v IQ. Again, not sure that is the right answer to add a theological/ clerical element in--but it is food for thought.
When I think of Soul/Spirit that is more along the lines of what I think of. Also for resisting various things, either spell/sanity type of things or outright physical torture.
DeleteThe fact that it also works with d20 is great. I'd rather stick with d6 but something I like and found interesting is that a d20 can be 99% simulated with 2d6. One d6 is normal. The other is labled (0,2,6,8,12,14). Plug it into www.anydice.com and see how close it is.
ReplyDeleteI'm not partial to the separate Charisma 'bute. To me, intelligence is the big factor in social skills (which are varying degrees of deception). I'm more in favor of a Perception attribute. On the other hand, I've often wondered if it would be better to rename Intelligence (IQ) to Awareness (AW). Awareness better encapsulates what the 'bute is used for. Awareness of basic sensory perceptions, awareness of social and tatical situations, awareness of greater, mystical powers and forces.
Appreciate the feedback ewookie, thanks!
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