TLDR – what exactly does ability dots represent in the game?
The reason I ask is below — sorry for the long-mindedness of it.
So I have been considering tweaking BitD to run epic heroic fantasy — something along the line of wuxia with magic, Exalted, Godbound and the like. One of the challenges is I would like the system to able to handle characters of tiers. So the mechanics must be able to differentiate a mundane solider from an exceptional warrior, and to differentiate an exceptional warrior from an epic war-god.
When it comes to level of effect, it’s simple enough. I essentially have to different versions of “Not to be Trifled With” for each tier, for example. The thing that has me stumped is what does ability dots represent?
I guess the issue for me is by default, if you have at least 1 dot, you have 50% chance of success. I was figuring that tasks that are improbable or more difficulty (on a different tier, essentially) could knock of some dots; it’s just that I haven’t figure out what cases those might be.
Why not just get Legends of the Elements if thats what you want to do? http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/186240/Legend-of-the-Elements?src=hottest_filtered&filters=110_0_44825_0_0
Thanks for the recommendation, didn’t know that exists.
I see dots as representing competence. A character with a lot of dots in one thing is very practiced and highly competent.
Meanwhile another character with fewer dots but some choice special abilities is less competent but more effective. Think precision versus accuracy, or elegance versus power.
Tasks impossible for a normal person wouldn’t knock off dots.
They would just have different fictional positioning. I.e, what’s risky for a demigod might be desperate for a human, or just be impossible in those circumstances.
I’m currently mulling (not quite at the write things down stage) a combination of Godbound and BitD. Kevin Crawford has made the Words of Godbound (and most of the other mechanics, like Dominion) independent from the core resolution mechanic.
So it would just require a new set of playbooks for wandering heroes (which I will likely borrow from another source), with the Godbound bits grafted on top. Definitely the thing I’m most excited about playing in 2018.
Marshall Brengle I agree with you, just that in the game regardless of positioning, if you have one dot, you have at least 50% of success. This may not sounds right in certain cases if the power of the opposition is so high; it wouldn’t make sense in the narrative. So I guess I just have issues with this : if the fiction says you could do it, it always be at least 50% of success; if the fiction says you can’t, you can’t. It’s binary
You could crib from Exalted and twiddle with the target numbers for success (e.g., 5+ instead of 4+), or require multiple successful dice.
That strikes me as a tough goal for a blades hack. One of the core elements of blades is that even though you’re on the bottom of the pile, with stress and scoundrel’s luck you can challenge your betters and live to tell the tale.
I think you’d have to rework effect so that the current rules only apply among equally-tiered opponents then harshly penalise tier difference, rather than treat tier as one of three factors. So work out potency, scale, quality etc. first, then apply maybe -1d and -effect for each level of tier difference?
Even if they have potency, a 20-1 scale advantage and quality upgraded fine weapons that only puts them at great effect. If they take on a singe tier higher fighter, they’ll be at -1d and normal effect. Their tier +2 would make that -2d and limited effect and anyone 3 tier higher is no effect, untouchable.
David Harrison yes that’s a good idea.
I think it’ll be from an fiction first perceptive to establish what makes the enemy or the obstacle a higher tier than ordinary, and figure out how what’s extraordinary factor applies to position and effect. Then for each factor that is not addressed, either through permission (such as Not to be Trifled With, for example) or plot, it’s either a -1d, -1 effect, or that one of the effect factors is considered dominant
Kun X. C So rather than assess tier separately, assess it as normal but have penalties be harsher? How would you deal with say 20x tier 0 vs 1x tier 2? All other things being equal, would the greater scale address the difference? I ask because – I’m not that familiar with a lot of wuxia but generally doesn’t superior qi (I’m thinking tier is qi, right?) kind of trump all else?