Re: (TFT) Attributes: 4 viewpoints

["John Paul Bakshoian" <shadowhex@hotmail.com>]

> From: "grabowski" <grabowski@erols.com>
> Subject: Re: (TFT) Attributes: 4 viewpoints
>
> >The group has had some great suggestions on talents and attributes.  > 
> >There seems to be about four viewpoints on creating TFT characters:
> >
> >a)  3 attributes are fine the way they are.
> >b)  3 attributes are fine, but IQ/Talents are lacking.
> >c)  3 attributes are good, but I want to adjust them.
> >d)  4 or more attributes are needed.
> >
> Which combination do you prefer? I still like Andrew's system which
> allows for more starting talents and along with it to create a more
> realistic wizard with Michael's solution from Howard Trump's article in the 
> Fantasy Forum.

The reason for editing all these creation styles into a single post was to 
see the variety, differences and similarities between them.  Andrew's is 
good (version B, though my groupings may be a bit arbitrary), with many 
players supporting it, but I like version C better, with a combination of 
some others thrown in.  But you'll have to wait two weeks before I can 
explain the whys and whats.  It's off to WDW to work for awhile.  (And it 
ain't no joy going to 90^ weather, 90% humidity and thunderstorms).

By the way, does anyone know how we can post Howard Trump's article in the 
Fantasy Forum (no copyright violations please).  I haven't seen it and it 
sounds intriguing.


Dave 30 July writes:

> I mostly agree with this.  Realism is nice, but I quickly reach
> a point where the rules are too complicated -- or the rules are
> changed too much -- for those rules to become unplayable (IMO) or it's just 
> not TFT anymore.  GURPS is a good example -- too many
> bloody exceptions, and too many separate types of mechanics to cover all 
> the exceptions (or so it seems).
	[snip]
> TFT is a really nice little RPG, and not much really needs to be
> changed about it.  However, if you /were/ thinking of making changes, they 
> would probably fit into one or more of these categories . . .
>
> 1. Clarify the existing rules.
> 2. Make the game more fun to play.
> 3. Make the game more realistic.
> 4. Make the game easier to play.
>
> Nothing personal, guys, but some of the material I've seen on the list I 
> wouldn't care to use in either of my TFT campaigns.  Most of these changes 
> do increase realism, but I feel the complication and/or degree of change to 
> the game is not worth it.
> TFT is a pretty tightly designed game, and -- in general -- the more you 
> change its basic mechanics the worse it gets.
> Continue adding optional rules to TFT and you'll eventually end up with 
> something like GURPS . . .  or worse!
> I think the best new rules for TFT could best be described as
> "plug-ins" -- rules that don't touch the basic design of the game,
> but ones that simply attach to it, such as new Talents, Spells, Jobs, other 
> Long-Term Tasks, Equipment, Monsters, and Magic Items.
> Other good plug-ins are rules that attach to the basic game /
> mechanics/ to improve them without changing the underlying rules,
> such as my AdjIQ Rule.  Plug-ins are individually optional from player to 
> player -- one player who hates my AdjIQ Rule can
> simply ignore it and never increase his adjIQ, while the other players are 
> still free to use and enjoy it if they wish.
	[snip]
> In my campaign ground rules I /have/ made a few changes to the basic 
> structure of TFT, but they are all ones that -- in my opinion and proven 
> with playtesting -- they substantially improve
> the game in one way or another.  This is especially true in the few places 
> where the rules needed clarifying anyway.  Example: I
> changed the range modifiers for ranged attacks because (a) the two
> sections for range mods. in /Advanced Melee/partially contradict each 
> other, and (b) I wanted more realistic accuracy penalties.

I agree with this for the most part.  I'll have more on this too when I get 
back.

Its been a month since I suggested the Player Roster.  Quite a few names 
have gone into it.  Have you added your name yet?  *toot-tooot*

Its also amazing how many e-mails hit this month.  It's the highest ever.  
May there continue to be a flourish of enthusiasm for THE FANTASY TRIP.  It 
may take me a week just to read whats been posted while I'm gone.

John Paul







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