Package Deals - How do you use them??

[Turmoil]

Ok, time for another stupid question. How do package deals work in HD3? eg

1. When do you use them
2. How do you create them
3. What is the point of them.

I'm basically after a 'Package Deals for Dummies'

Thanks

[Simon]

1. Whenever you want. Typically during the early stages of character creation.

2. Create a character, set set all attributes and abilities that are fixed parts of the package deal into the character, load in any prefabs that are "variable" parts of the package deal (e.g. "Select 2 of the following 5 Skills"), Current Character -> Save -> Save As Package Deal

3. They model package deals, as detailed in 5ER (I believe) and Fantasy Hero.

[Turmoil]

Thanks Simon

So in AD&D terms you could have a package deal 'Elf' and a package deal 'Mage' then use Prefabs for 'Spells' and 'equipment' etc. If i was to create an inate Elven (using my example) ability eg Infravision could i incorporate this into the package deal 'Elf' or would i need to use a prefab for this?

[Simon]

You could incorporate anything you wanted to into the package deal. Prefabs (in a package deal) are really for the "optional" items...or the "select X of the following Y" types of things.

[Turmoil]

Also, if my racial package deal 'Elf' is going to have +3Dex do i use Powers/Characteristics or just give it a Dex of 13 in the package?

[Simon]

Typically just give it a DEX of 13 in the Package Deal.

When the Package Deal is applied, this will raise the Character's DEX by 3.

Note that the character will pay for this increase (9 points).

Also note that Characteristics and Characteristic Powers are two different things with different rules surrounding their use.

[RPMiller]

Ah ha! This is a very important point. So the Package Deal does/can include Prefabs. I think that definitely defines what a Package Deal is much better.

[Turmoil]

You could incorporate anything you wanted to into the package deal. Prefabs (in a package deal) are really for the "optional" items...or the "select X of the following Y" types of things.

On a different note, how do you make a prefab where you can select X of Y?

[Simon]

Create a new character, add a List to the character (name the list "Select X of the Following Y") , Current Character -> Save -> Save As Prefab


At this point in time, there is nothing in the system that forces the user to select X of the Y abilities in the list...the name is just a guideline for them.

[Turmoil]

Aha, a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I think i'm starting to see the difference between Package deals and Prefabs.

How would you differentiate between the 2 (in terms of building a character)

[Simon]

See my post in the other thread

Package deals and prefabs are different entities entirely in terms of how they function. Package deals are applied in total to a character. Prefabs are simply pre-defined/constructed lists of abilities that the user can select from when constructing a character.