Attributes & Skills

[CRMcNeill]

I'd like to suggest a more real world version of improving attributes and skills.

According to the rules, a character begins with attribute dice as assigned by the template, then adds beginning skill dice to them. To increase skills after character creation, one must spend character points equal to the total dice number of the skill to increase the skill by one pip (Example. A Bounty Hunter with a Dex of 4D and a Blaster of 5D must spend 5 CPs to increase his Blaster skill to 5D+1).

I'm sure you're all aware of how this works, and I appreciate your patience while I played Captain Obvious.

My problem with this rule is that, in real life, a person with higher natural aptitude tends to learn faster than a person who is not so naturally inclined. In real life, I am relatively smart, and tend to find learning new things relatively easy. Conversely, someone who is athletically inclined will tend to pick up physical activities much more quickly than a fatbeard like me.

I think the rules for Skills and Attributes should be changed to reflect this real life truth. The change would be relatively simple: when spending CPs to increase a skill, the CP price should be equal to the number before the skill, not the attribute.

In the above example of the Bounty Hunter, his attribute and skill listing would look something like this:

Dexterity - 4D
Blaster - +1D (5D)

To increase his Blaster skill level, he would only have to spend 1 CP, instead of 5. However, a character with a lower Dex, for example:

Dexterity - 3D
Blaster - +2D (5D)

This character would need to spend 2 CPs for every pip.

IMO, this rule change would represent a more realistic scenario, that those who have natural aptitude for a specific ability or attribute tend to learn faster when dealing with skills related to that attribute.

Thoughts?

[Azai]

I like the thought process of this. The idea is something I might to try out myself.

The only thing I can think of, that would be a problem, is that it will leave a lot of Cps left to spend.

Either making jack of all trades characters, or making skills getting to very high levels very easily.

[CRMcNeill]

[Raven Redstar]

[CRMcNeill]

[Rerun941]

[CRMcNeill]

[garhkal]

[CRMcNeill]

I'd be interested in seeing that.

Also, I remembered another aspect that I was considering for my original post (before we got sidetracked by the old wimpy stormtrooper argument).

On top of the new skill idea, I am also considering the concept of a "Natural" skill. Some people in this world have near superhuman skill in specific areas of learning. We call them prodigies or savants. I'm considering a similar rule for SW character creation, in that a character could select a specific skill (not attribute) at which he is exceptionally skilled. In game terms, the character could increase the attribute at half the normal CP cost (rounded up). Such an advantage would have to be accompanied by a balancing disadvantage of some sort, so I would probably include it with WEG's D6 advantage/disadvantage system.

[garhkal]

Standard Stormtrooper..
Imperial Stormtrooper Patrol
Consists of 5 Storm Troopers (1 is a leader (all skills +1d))
Stats: All attributes at 2d.
DEX skills of Blaster, Brawl Parry and Dodge at 4d:
PER skill of Command 3d
STR skills of Brawling at 3d
Character points. 3 Force points. 0
DSP. 2. Move. 10.

That is imo for one fresh out of the academy.
A regular one would be as above, but increase blaster to 5d+1, dodge to 5d+1 and add grenade at 3d+1
CP to 5, FP to 1

A Experienced ones.. say after 2 yrs as above, but increase blaster to 6d+2, dodge to 6d+2 and add grenade at 4d+2. CP to 8, FP to 2

Veterans but increase blaster to 8d, dodge to 8d, and add grenade at 6d.
CP to 12, FP still 2

Elites..
Dexterity 3d+1. Blaster 9d+2, brawl parry 7d, dodge 9d, grenade 4d (S) stun grenades 8d, running 4d+2
Knowledge 2d. Alien species 4d, languages 4d, law enforcement 4d, willpower 5d
Mechanical 2d. Communications 4d
Perception 3d. Command 4d (s) imperial troops 5d), search 5d
Strength 3d+2. Brawl 7d, stamina 5d
Technical 2d+1. Computer programming/repair 4d, first aid 5d+1
CP/FP Variable on how much the party has earned. Starting at 14/1 with +2/1 per 150cp earned by the pcs (averaged out)

Vaders fist level..
Vader’s 501st Storm Troopers
DEX: 3d+1.
Blaster 9d+2, Brawl Parry 7d, Dodge 10d, Grenade 5d+2, Melee 6d, Melee Parry 6d+1, Running 5d
KNO: 2d+2.
Alien Species 4d, Bureaucracy 5d, Intimidation 5d, Law Enforcement 5d, Streetwise 5d, Survival 6d, Tactics 5d, Willpower 7d
MECH: 3d.
Beast riding 5d, Communications 6d, Repulsorlift Operations 7d, Sensors 6d,
PER: 3d+1.
Investigations 5d+2, Search 6d, Sneak 5d, Command 5d
STR: 3d+2.
Brawl 7d+1, Climb/Jump 5d, Lift 4d+2, Swimming 5d, Stamina 6d
TECH: 2d+2.
Computer Programming/Repair 4d, First Aid 4d, Repulsorlift Repair 4d
_________________
Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Random Numbers]

Are the strooper clones in your universe?
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Random is who random does...

[cheshire]

[Grimace]

Actually, the system works fine. You just have to be a decent GM who doesn't rely on the game system to do all the work for them.

I run my D6 like that for several years now. I ran a 2 and a half year campaign with the same PCs in them, playing every week. The characters weren't ridiculous in power level and weren't jack-of-all-trades.

[ZzaphodD]

[garhkal]