Susano's Thoughts On 6th Edition

[Susano]

I've been thinking on what I'd like to see in 6th Edition, and I have come to realize my needs aren't great. I'd like to see some fine-tuning, I know that. That said, a rough list --

Characteristics --

1) I don't mind, and actually like Figured. I see Figured as helping me build my character as I go, not forcing me to do more math.

2) I like COM. It's been around for 25+ years, I don't see any reason to dump it now. Just give it something to do, or suggestions on how it can be used to influence Interaction Skills.

3) I'm torn on raising STR to 2 points per point, but... it is very cost effective for what you get, so it wouldn't kill me.

4) I like the idea of SIZ being a characteristic.

Talents --
1) I like Talents. I say keep them all, and 6th should include any cross-genre Talents from the Genre books.

Perks --
1) No issues with any of the Perks. I'd even like to see a comment on Perks such as "Well-respected businessman" or some such. Basically 1-2 point Perks that aren't quite Reputations or Titles.

Skills --
1) I like a good, comprehensive Skill list. I like that certain Skills can be as complex or simple as you need (such as Animal Handler and the like). I'd also like to see many of the optional Skills brought in from TUS, such as Research and Instructor.

Powers --
1) I think all AOE powers (CE, Darkness, and so on) should use the same method to create the Area of Effect.

2) I personally think Flash isn't effective enough. I'd rather see Phases again, as opposed to Segments.

3) I don't want to see Powers condensed down until you need to add so many Advantages and Limitations to a power to create an older stand alone power, your character sheet is even more cluttered than before. Putting Gliding into Fight is one thing, cramming Ego Attack into EB, or RKA into EB is another.

4) The flat x3 STUN Multiple should be an option for all KAs.

5) Damage Shield should be it's own power, a version of AOE (I saw a great explanation for that one), or a re-adjusted Advantage that doesn't require you to tack on multiple other Advantages to make it work.

6) Transform should be simplified -- does anyone really use Mind, BODY, Spirit?

7) I've seen some suggestions on Time Travel being a separate power. I don't think so, but certainly the distinction should be made.

Disadvantages --
1) I like calling them "Complications" since they are all things that complicate your life.

2) Changing Limitation to Disadvantage works for me.

3) Better granulation and more examples of Phys Lims would be really nice.

4) Rivalries should be Psych Lims.

5) More options for Berserk/Enraged would let you simulate more than combat effects.

6) Dependence could use expansion so alcohol, cigarette, or coffee addicts can get some love to.

7) Same with Susceptibility. In both cases, options for other than damage would be nice (okay, we have them, but I'd like to see it made clearer).

Combat --
1) My biggest request would be to either make facing matter, or clarify attacks from behind and/or surprise. Especially how this relates to PER Rolls and the like.

[The Main Man]

1) I don't mind, and actually like Figured. I see Figured as helping me build my character as I go, not forcing me to do more math.

I think that if "Figured" were changed to "Secondary" that it would eliminate "so much math." It might increase costs but that is from a 5ed standpoint; this is 6ed; tabula rasa.

2) I like COM. It's been around for 25+ years, I don't see any reason to dump it now. Just give it something to do, or suggestions on how it can be used to influence Interaction Skills.

Just because COM has always been around doesn't make it valid as a Primary CHAR. I agree with some that have suggested using it as a Perk.

3) I'm torn on raising STR to 2 points per point, but... it is very cost effective for what you get, so it wouldn't kill me.

No particular thoughts on this one.

4) I like the idea of SIZ being a characteristic.

I agree; it simplifies Growth and Shrinking as purchasing SIZ which costs END. It has plenty of applications from Supers that can grow or shrink to Kaiju in Atomic Monster Sci-Fi or giants and dragons in Fantasy HERO - it's a very valid, very solid idea.

Talents -- 1) I like Talents. I say keep them all, and 6th should include any cross-genre Talents from the Genre books.

I agree with this too. While the Talents from the base book are mostly more distinct and most aren't mere power builds, the Talents from all of the different books and Digital HERO articles that have accumulated can make a very rich menu for new players that are converting from this post-D&D3e world.

Perks -- 1) No issues with any of the Perks. I'd even like to see a comment on Perks such as "Well-respected businessman" or some such. Basically 1-2 point Perks that aren't quite Reputations or Titles.

Hmm... not sure what to say there but I get where you are coming from.

Skills -- 1) I like a good, comprehensive Skill list. I like that certain Skills can be as complex or simple as you need (such as Animal Handler and the like). I'd also like to see many of the optional Skills brought in from TUS, such as Research and Instructor.

I agree with this assessment. Skills should be even more emphasized so that players are not going TOO ga-ga over the power flexibility.

Characteristics and Skills should be the meat and potatoes of the characters, while the Perks and Talents are the spices, and Powers are dessert.

Basically, Normal games rarely get dessert, Heroic games are a balanced meal, and Supers get ice cream for breakfast.

Disadvantages? You look me in the eye and tell me that those aren't the veggies.

Powers -- 1) I think all AOE powers (CE, Darkness, and so on) should use the same method to create the Area of Effect.

Are you saying that the AOE advantage should be decoupled from such powers?

2) I personally think Flash isn't effective enough. I'd rather see Phases again, as opposed to Segments.

What if Flash was a Darkness variant? This would work particularly well if Darkness was decoupled from AOE.

3) I don't want to see Powers condensed down until you need to add so many Advantages and Limitations to a power to create an older stand alone power, your character sheet is even more cluttered than before. Putting Gliding into Fight is one thing, cramming Ego Attack into EB, or RKA into EB is another.

Ooh... gotta disagree with that one. We would see the difference but I think that newer player might not.

4) The flat x3 STUN Multiple should be an option for all KAs.

This is pretty valid if the STUN Lotto is retained and it also works better in Supers games that lack the Hit Location rules.

5) Damage Shield should be it's own power, a version of AOE (I saw a great explanation for that one), or a re-adjusted Advantage that doesn't require you to tack on multiple other Advantages to make it work.

Where is this example? It sound interesting. I do however see the logic behind it's current construction, but when you have AP limits it makes the power all but suck.

6) Transform should be simplified -- does anyone really use Mind, BODY, Spirit?

Tri-Stat?

7) I've seen some suggestions on Time Travel being a separate power. I don't think so, but certainly the distinction should be made.

Time Travel is still EDM to me but somehow the rules need to be more refined; simplified yet more granular.

Disadvantages -- 1) I like calling them "Complications" since they are all things that complicate your life.

I like this idea too. It sounds more conducive to role-playing. Instead of "Disadvantages" sounding like they make your character suck, "Complications" sounds like they make your character more interesting.

2) Changing Limitation to Disadvantage works for me.

I say let such words be consistent with the greater scheme. If it changes to "Complications" then they are "Physical Complications." If it remains "Disadvantages" then it's "Physical Disadvantage."

3) Better granulation and more examples of Phys Lims would be really nice.

Yes. Physical Limitation is too broad and too vague as it currently is.

4) Rivalries should be Psych Lims.

I never thought of that before but I agree with this.

5) More options for Berserk/Enraged would let you simulate more than combat effects.

See my "Phobia" thread, but I also think that Berserk/Enraged could be folded into Psychological Limitation as an effect.

6) Dependence could use expansion so alcohol, cigarette, or coffee addicts can get some love to.

Simple agreement here.

7) Same with Susceptibility. In both cases, options for other than damage would be nice (okay, we have them, but I'd like to see it made clearer).

I once made a thread addressing this, so I think you should be able to guess where I stand on this one.

Combat -- 1) My biggest request would be to either make facing matter, or clarify attacks from behind and/or surprise. Especially how this relates to PER Rolls and the like.

I think that these would be sound rules for advanced combat but they may get confusing if either the players are new to the game or if they don't play with a board.

[Sketchpad]

Personally, I have little to offer of change ... I kinda like 5th ed and would maybe like to see more mechanics like MSH's Karma or M&M's Hero Points ... which, really, we got in Luck or Pulp's Hero Points.

Meh ... I'm still kinda sore from being kicked in the jimmy ...

[Southern Cross]

Susano,I agree with much of what you've said,but I don't agree on having Time Travel as a part of EDM.Considering the fact that mystics rarely time travel,and the fact that EDM with the Time Travel adder can only be used for time travel anyway,it clearly works best as a separate Power.
And why I definitely agree with you about COM,I feel that it sholud be the base for Seduction rolls,not PRE.(Think of Gilderoy Lockhart.Clearly a character with low PRE and EGO scores,but he had women falling all over him.And Judge Turpin from the Sweeny Todd movie.If anything he had high PRE AND EGO scores (as he was played by Alan Rickman) but the pervert had lousy luck with the ladies).

[Steve Long]

Susano, I'll leave this up for about a day to give you time to copy any information you need to keep, then this thread is being deleted. Do not create separate threads for rules issues. If you have a comment or idea about the rules, post it in the threads that already exist to discuss different sections of the rules.