Torg HERO

[JakSpade]

Had another thought. If you want to use the cards and were worried about flurry results etc screwing up the speed chart etc, why not fix spd at 2 - then the cards would simply be adding an attack. Initiative would be based on the cards too. Keeps things simpler.

I'd probably limit SPD to 4 (since it is a heroic setting) unless there's some reason (say in the Nile Empire) that you would want a 6 or better speed. The Atomic Top could RULE in Nile Empire with a 6 speed! :P

Just coz HERO allows SPD differentials doesn't mean you have to use them...

True. Cutting out Speed altogether and getting rid of the Speed Chart wouldn't be too bad, unless you were running a speedster of some kind.

Jak

[Doc Democracy]

I'd probably limit SPD to 4 (since it is a heroic setting) unless there's some reason (say in the Nile Empire) that you would want a 6 or better speed. The Atomic Top could RULE in Nile Empire with a 6 speed! :P

I think, if you were using the cards that it wouldn't make much difference. Speed variations would be through powers or the cards

True. Cutting out Speed altogether and getting rid of the Speed Chart wouldn't be too bad, unless you were running a speedster of some kind.

Jak

even then. the speedster could get some advantages - not necessarily extra moves per turn...

[Phil]

I think there's two ways to go (as usual!). The first is to try and accurately recreate Torg mechanics, the second is to recreate the essence of Torg but using HERO for the core.

The latter is easiest. Use SPD as written. The initiative line is one of the weakest aspects of Torg IMHO.

As an alternative, i'd been thinking similarly about limiting spd. However, what I'd do is give three speed levels which reflects the variability of the Torg initiative lines:
- 'Mooks', non-possibility rateds etc.: SPD 2
- P-rateds: SPD 3
- Major baddies (i.e. 'Dramatic' conflicts): SPD 4

Phil

[Doc Democracy]

There's more than two ways to go Phil, this is HERO.

Anyway. I think you are looking to create as much of the look and feel as possible without feeling constrained by bad mechanics.

If you want to use the cards then you do need to limit speed - that has nothing to do with initiative though. I think the cards are pretty integral to TORG - though not the background. The cards are how the game tries to inject cinematic and HERO is not the most cinematic of systems so the cards should stay for look and feel reasons. The cards assume the same number of actions per round thus SPD should probably be static.

[Delthrien]

I'd be tempted keep the speeds at 2-4 (as suggested) but largely ignore DEX order on the speed chart and just use the cards to govern who goes first in a given phase. Perhaps use one initiative draw for a turn (or perhaps every 6 segments in dramatic encounters).

I may have to throw a group together REAL soon and try some of this stuff out.