Rules for High-Level Characters

[CRMcNeill]

I recall a post at some point in the last month or so that someone made the point that the WEG system doesn't work nearly as well for high-level characters as it does for beginning characters, mostly on account of the sheer number of dice being rolled.

For those of you with experience playing high-level campaigns, I'm looking for ways around that complexity. The one I keep coming back to is this:

As a character progresses, he may choose to exchange random dice values (in increments of 2D only) for a set value of 7 (the most likely result on a 2D). The character may exchange up to half of their existing skill dice (in increments of 2D, rounded down to the nearest whole value). The adjusted Force skills are then represented thusly: 5D+2(+14)

Example:
Jedi Bob has 9D+2 in Control. He chooses to exchange 4D of his Control dice for a flat value of 14, so his skill is now written as 5D+2(+14). Instead of rolling 9D for a Control roll, he rolls 5D, then adds 14 to the total. When Jedi Bob reaches the equivalent of 12D in Control, he may choose to exchange an additional 2D for a +7 modifier, and his skill will be written as 6D(+21)

Force Points apply as normal to the dice values, but only add +5 to the base value for every increment of 7 in the base value. CPs are spent as normal, and Wild Dice occur normally as well.

Example:
Jedi Bob, at 5D(+14) chooses to spend a Force Point on Resist Stun. In addition to his 5D skill, he rolls another 5D courtesy of the Force Point, then adds the +14 flat value. On top of the flat value, he also receives a +10 bonus, equal to +5 for every +7 of the base bonus value. However, he rolled a 1 on his Wild Die, so he subtracts the 1 along with his highest roll out of the other 9D.

I'm making this up as I go along, really. It bears a lot of similarities to the WOTC rules for taking a 10 or taking a 20, but it would certainly make things simpler when dealing with character that are rolling mass amounts of dice every action. Obviously, this isn't going to be something every player will go for, as it will trim a little off the maximum possible value on their dice. However, it will work well for cautious players, as it provides a buffer between them and and abominably bad rolls. Wild dice rolls would affect the results as normal.

Thoughts?
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[jmanski]

So the value would be constant or decide on a roll by roll basis?
_________________
Blasted rules. Why can't they just be perfect?

[CRMcNeill]

[jmanski]

My question wasn't clear. I understand the mechanic. I mean can you exchange 2d for 7 anytime or just in between adventures? As in if I have 9d in piloting can I throw down 1d + 28 to take off from the starport and roll all 9d (or some other combination) when I take evasive action a few rounds later?
_________________
Blasted rules. Why can't they just be perfect?

[CRMcNeill]

[Raven Redstar]

How do you progress via character point training after the sacrifice is made? Do you spend the points to raise the "D" stat, or is the original value kept recorded somewhere for someone to spend character points according to the total before dice split skill?

[CRMcNeill]

[Raven Redstar]

That seems like a bit too much book keeping for me.

I don't disagree that they should be held accountable for their total dice levels, but now you're talking about keeping track of two values, one for progression, and one for actual rolls.

The character sheet as we know it is too small for that much.

I am thinking that I might start using the idea for NPC rolls, to smooth out encounter difficulties. Stormtrooper blaster: 2D+7 (+2D against moving targets). Giving a range of 19 - 31 in max shot roll. Not bad for a mook. It's sort of a hybrid between what I've been doing currently (setting difficulty numbers and keeping most of my rolls out of it), and full rolling to make all encounters all chance.

Overall, I think it's a pretty good idea. However, I'm sure many will complain.

[ZzaphodD]

Hmm, if all you want to do is to roll less dice, why not just set fixed D levels where two dice are switched for 7? I dont get why you would want a special character mechanic for this?

I think 8D would be a good level for this to kick in. This means that you at most will roll 7D at any time.

At 8D, roll 6D+7
At 9D, roll 7D+7
At 10D, roll 6D+14
At 11D, roll 7D+14
Etc

This would not be recorded as a skill lever, just a dice rolling mechanic.
_________________
My Biggest Beard Retard award goes to: The Admiral of course..

[CRMcNeill]

[CRMcNeill]

Are there any other issues that high-level campaigns face, or is it just the dice mechanics?

On a related note, should there be an expanded Difficulty chart that goes above Heroic, so that we have names like Incredible, Epic or Impossible, instead of just Heroic, Heroic+10, Heroic+20, etc?
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[garhkal]

One of the things i have always done especially with newbies, or lesser experienced folk, is to give them hints on teh grade of what they are going for. OPPOSED checks only.

So lets say john jedi is whakking on sid sith/ Sid sith attacked first and hit a 49 on his LS roll (neither activated LS combat due to a force dampning aura or sumthin so its just base skill)..
He rolls his parry, and only hits 28. Thats 21 diff, which puts in the beginning of very difficult. I would say to John's player
"the siths blow was very might and most definitely will be circumventing your defense as is."

Or for a blaster/dodge where the opponent (say who is dodging) got better.
pc rolled 9, baddie dodged with 14 (5 diff) that "he somewhat nimbaly dodged around your pitiful attmempt..

That gives them a ;grade; of how many cp may be needed, like
minor - 0 to 4
somewhat - 5-8
good - 9-12
very good - 13 to 16
mightily - 17 to 20
very mightily 21 to 24
Excellently 25 to 30
Superbly 30 to 35
outstanding - 35 and up.
_________________
Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[CRMcNeill]

Me likey. Sounds a lot more fun and exciting than people getting excited about other people calling out numbers, like a Bingo game or something.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[jmanski]

[CRMcNeill]