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Hey I know there are some people here who like RPGs, and if anyone has time to spare I would like to ask to take give some feedback for my homebrew system.
This is my attempt at a simple, rules light, RPG tabletop system to be used as a playtest to my homebrew setting that will be used on Computer RPG I am doing. I want to get a few opinions on it, mainly if the rules are clear (they are to me, but I made them), as well as suggestions about what else needs to be answered before starting a PbP or tabletop campaign. Time permitting; I also intend to provide a character creator via the Unity web player.
I wanted a simple but flexible system. It should be point based, a lot is propositally left to the GM’s discretion, but what there IS should give a solid base.
It is important that the combat remained dangerous for a fair bit of while, so it shouldn´t be entered lightly even by higher level characters, this means the system is not designed for simple dungeon crawls, but keeps combat from being boring or dragging too long.
For now this is just the basics, later if I think this is clear enough I will expand with rules for magic, and a list of skills, pros, and cons.
Character creation is done through a point buy system (which can be adjusted according to the campaign’s power level), the points are used in the following categories:
Attributes: define the general characteristics intrinsic to the character. All characters have this attributes.
Strength (STR)
Constitution (CON)
Agility (AGI)
Dexterity (DEX)
Intelligence (INT)
Will Power (WIL)
Perception (PER)
Charisma (CHAR)
Most attributes are pretty auto-explicative. The difference between agility and Dexterity is that one determines How good the character is with large movements (e.g.: running, jumping) and how quick his reflexes are, and the other How good the character is with fine precise movements (e.g. Drawing, lock picking).
Hit points are calculated by: HP=3*CON+ (STR)
The average number may be adjusted according to the power level of the campaign. A supers campaign for example could use STR 1, equals the strength of a weightlifter.
In a more realistic campaign, an average number for Attributes would be 4, with each player having 40 points for character creation. This means an average human would have 16 HP. This is the power level I will use as default.
Skills: defines the character’s proficiencies (e.g. Medicine, Smithing, Weapon proficiencies, etc...). A character’s weapon proficiency in defense and in Attack are separate Skills, shown separated by a “/” (e.g.: Sword 3/0, Dagger 0/2).
1 Character point buys one rank in a skill.
PCs are encouraged to create custom skills if they want one not covered by the default list(Subjected to DM's approval).
Some default suggestion skills:
Combat skills: used for fighting: Unarmed Longswords, short sword, dagger, greatsword. Axes, small axes, GreatAxes, Polearms, Bows, Crossboes, etc…
First aid, useful for emergency, or simple treatments
Medicine, used for diagnostics, surgery and more serious treatments.
Survival, allows character to feed yourself, in wild environments.
Stealth: Allows character to sneak around and hide.
Camouflage: Allows the character to craft camouflage to avoid detection.
Apothecary: Allows the character to craft various remedies, drugs and poisons.
Smithing: Allows the character to craft metal items
Animal Handling: Allows taming and training of animals.
Climbing: Allows the character to climb vertical surfaces.
Performance Skills: Acting, dancing, Violin, Mandolin, flute, etc…
Pros and Cons.
“Pros” cost points and give you some advantage. “Cons”, give you more points to spend but give some disadvantage (e.g: "Status" raises your social status per point spent, Honor code: ”Heroes” gives you 2 extra points to spend, but prevents you from ignoring a call for help).
There are no levels, only points. Enough experience and you get a new point to spend.
Tests are based on the d10 and test an attribute and proficiency as needed. (e.g.: a character who wants to make a diagnostic and has PER 5, and 2 ranks in medicine, he a rolls a d10 and must roll equal or lower than 7 to succeed) 10 is ALWAYS a critical failure, and 1 is a critical hit. Tests may have bonuses or penalties according as appropriate to the situation by GM’s Discretion.
Opposed tests are based on 5 + the player’s relevant number - the opponent’s (e.g.: A player wants to arm wrestle against an NPC, he has strength 6 and the NPC has strength 7, he must roll a 4 or lower (5+6-7).
Combat:
When combat starts character rolls 1d10+AGI for initiative. The turn order goes from highest to lowest initiative, in a tie, both characters reroll.
To attack, a Character must succeed in a opposed text of his appropriate Attribute and skill versus the opponents attribute and skill, normally this means Agility and Weapon skill for Melee weapons, and Dexterity and Weapon skill for ranged weapons.
Damage is based on a character’s weapon damage (expressed in dice)+ Strength and skill bonus - Opponents damage reduction which is based on the opponent’s armor + his appropriate skill bonus.(e.g.: Character with a short sword(d8) and STR 6 hits an opponent wearing leather armor(DR:2)with Dagger 0/2, He rolls a seven, so he causes 7+6+3-2-2= 12 points of damage), Critical Hits ignore all of the target’s damage reduction, sneak attacks, ignore the targets skill but not his DR.
Holding a weapon two-handed increases your strength bonus by 50%(rounded down).
The heavier the armor, the higher the DR it gives, but also higher the penalties it applies to Dexterity and agility.
Once a character’s HP reaches 0, they are unconscious, if their hit points reaches –half their Maximum HP they die(e.g.: A character with 10 hit points dies when he arrives at -5 hit points).
I looked for spoiler tags but didn´t find them.
Thank you for your time.
This is my attempt at a simple, rules light, RPG tabletop system to be used as a playtest to my homebrew setting that will be used on Computer RPG I am doing. I want to get a few opinions on it, mainly if the rules are clear (they are to me, but I made them), as well as suggestions about what else needs to be answered before starting a PbP or tabletop campaign. Time permitting; I also intend to provide a character creator via the Unity web player.
I wanted a simple but flexible system. It should be point based, a lot is propositally left to the GM’s discretion, but what there IS should give a solid base.
It is important that the combat remained dangerous for a fair bit of while, so it shouldn´t be entered lightly even by higher level characters, this means the system is not designed for simple dungeon crawls, but keeps combat from being boring or dragging too long.
For now this is just the basics, later if I think this is clear enough I will expand with rules for magic, and a list of skills, pros, and cons.
Character creation is done through a point buy system (which can be adjusted according to the campaign’s power level), the points are used in the following categories:
Attributes: define the general characteristics intrinsic to the character. All characters have this attributes.
Strength (STR)
Constitution (CON)
Agility (AGI)
Dexterity (DEX)
Intelligence (INT)
Will Power (WIL)
Perception (PER)
Charisma (CHAR)
Most attributes are pretty auto-explicative. The difference between agility and Dexterity is that one determines How good the character is with large movements (e.g.: running, jumping) and how quick his reflexes are, and the other How good the character is with fine precise movements (e.g. Drawing, lock picking).
Hit points are calculated by: HP=3*CON+ (STR)
The average number may be adjusted according to the power level of the campaign. A supers campaign for example could use STR 1, equals the strength of a weightlifter.
In a more realistic campaign, an average number for Attributes would be 4, with each player having 40 points for character creation. This means an average human would have 16 HP. This is the power level I will use as default.
Skills: defines the character’s proficiencies (e.g. Medicine, Smithing, Weapon proficiencies, etc...). A character’s weapon proficiency in defense and in Attack are separate Skills, shown separated by a “/” (e.g.: Sword 3/0, Dagger 0/2).
1 Character point buys one rank in a skill.
PCs are encouraged to create custom skills if they want one not covered by the default list(Subjected to DM's approval).
Some default suggestion skills:
Combat skills: used for fighting: Unarmed Longswords, short sword, dagger, greatsword. Axes, small axes, GreatAxes, Polearms, Bows, Crossboes, etc…
First aid, useful for emergency, or simple treatments
Medicine, used for diagnostics, surgery and more serious treatments.
Survival, allows character to feed yourself, in wild environments.
Stealth: Allows character to sneak around and hide.
Camouflage: Allows the character to craft camouflage to avoid detection.
Apothecary: Allows the character to craft various remedies, drugs and poisons.
Smithing: Allows the character to craft metal items
Animal Handling: Allows taming and training of animals.
Climbing: Allows the character to climb vertical surfaces.
Performance Skills: Acting, dancing, Violin, Mandolin, flute, etc…
Pros and Cons.
“Pros” cost points and give you some advantage. “Cons”, give you more points to spend but give some disadvantage (e.g: "Status" raises your social status per point spent, Honor code: ”Heroes” gives you 2 extra points to spend, but prevents you from ignoring a call for help).
There are no levels, only points. Enough experience and you get a new point to spend.
Tests are based on the d10 and test an attribute and proficiency as needed. (e.g.: a character who wants to make a diagnostic and has PER 5, and 2 ranks in medicine, he a rolls a d10 and must roll equal or lower than 7 to succeed) 10 is ALWAYS a critical failure, and 1 is a critical hit. Tests may have bonuses or penalties according as appropriate to the situation by GM’s Discretion.
Opposed tests are based on 5 + the player’s relevant number - the opponent’s (e.g.: A player wants to arm wrestle against an NPC, he has strength 6 and the NPC has strength 7, he must roll a 4 or lower (5+6-7).
Combat:
When combat starts character rolls 1d10+AGI for initiative. The turn order goes from highest to lowest initiative, in a tie, both characters reroll.
To attack, a Character must succeed in a opposed text of his appropriate Attribute and skill versus the opponents attribute and skill, normally this means Agility and Weapon skill for Melee weapons, and Dexterity and Weapon skill for ranged weapons.
Damage is based on a character’s weapon damage (expressed in dice)+ Strength and skill bonus - Opponents damage reduction which is based on the opponent’s armor + his appropriate skill bonus.(e.g.: Character with a short sword(d8) and STR 6 hits an opponent wearing leather armor(DR:2)with Dagger 0/2, He rolls a seven, so he causes 7+6+3-2-2= 12 points of damage), Critical Hits ignore all of the target’s damage reduction, sneak attacks, ignore the targets skill but not his DR.
Holding a weapon two-handed increases your strength bonus by 50%(rounded down).
The heavier the armor, the higher the DR it gives, but also higher the penalties it applies to Dexterity and agility.
Once a character’s HP reaches 0, they are unconscious, if their hit points reaches –half their Maximum HP they die(e.g.: A character with 10 hit points dies when he arrives at -5 hit points).
I looked for spoiler tags but didn´t find them.
Thank you for your time.
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