tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73608031330685433752024-03-14T06:50:00.306-04:00Domino GamingDomino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-16399901261667921982017-11-01T12:07:00.000-04:002017-11-01T12:07:13.825-04:00USR Wednesdays: Thor<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now that “Thor: Ragnarok” is coming
to theaters, it’s time to take a look at the USR superhero rules
and visit Thor and his fellow Asgardians. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As noted in the superhero
rules, the Asgardians are high-powered (Tier 4) characters in a
universe with a basic Tier of 3. They get stats of d12, d10 and d8
and a bonus 2 Narrative Points, because they’re just that much more
powerful. Note this is Marvel Thor, the noble, sometimes goofy blonde
hero, not the quick-to-anger redhead of Norse mythology.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOqfchv9Louj7SCptPuwc1tdbHmN3Hx7wSFT8U5ODmzJswo66WryOrb1PSHTayW89uaEI0Ad_QoWzefMaRL6IeDb5yP2k5bl4_qdIy20Jn6nxjP8KQDM41ZdXD9oIfLj681FApHjqTqhI/s1600/thor-ragnarok-poster-main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1081" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOqfchv9Louj7SCptPuwc1tdbHmN3Hx7wSFT8U5ODmzJswo66WryOrb1PSHTayW89uaEI0Ad_QoWzefMaRL6IeDb5yP2k5bl4_qdIy20Jn6nxjP8KQDM41ZdXD9oIfLj681FApHjqTqhI/s400/thor-ragnarok-poster-main.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy and some of his friends. (<i>image: Marvel Studios</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Thor</b>, God Of Thunder (or as some Marvel
media calls him, “Prince Of Thunder” to avoid any religious
controversy... didn’t roleplaying leave that behind in the 1980s?)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Level 3, Experience Points 10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D12, Wits D8, Ego D10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Strength +3, Lunkheaded
Charm +2, Nobility +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 30</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Armor +2, Mjolnir (hammer)
+2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Loki </b>the Trickster, Level 3, Experience
Points 10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D8, Wits D10, Ego D12</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Asgardian Magic +2,
Deception +4, Loyalty To Asgard When He Has To Be Loyal +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 28</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Armor +1, Magic Staff +2
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Odin</b> the All-Father, Level 5,
Experience Points 20</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D12, Wits D10, Ego D8</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Leadership +3, Creation
+3, Bravery +2, Battlefield Tactics +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 42</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Armor +2, Spear +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And now, just to change things up...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Jane Foster</b>, Level 1, Experience Points
0 (Tier 1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D6, Wits D10, Ego D8</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Astrophysics +2, Medicine
+2, Stamina +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 16</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: none</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 11</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All four of these characters have a lot of Narrative Points, beyond the 3 a normal starting USR character has. As noted in the superhero rules, that's to represent their incredible raw power (for the Asgardians) or their ability to survive and contribute in a world that's much bigger than them (for an "ordinary" like Jane).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>Which other superheroes need the USR treatment?</i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-82215417211462697272017-10-25T11:02:00.003-04:002017-10-25T11:03:17.515-04:00USR Wednesdays: Slasher Films<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It’s Halloween season, time for a
look at this classic genre for role playing. There are many ways to
mix horror and gaming — fantasy has plenty of horror-themed beasts,
and no game is complete without a nod toward <a href="https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-rpg/">H.P. Lovecraft’s creations</a>. But today we’re going back to the 80s and beyond.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Slasher films feature a supernatural
creature attacking a bunch of nobodies. Think “Nightmare On Elm
Street” and “Friday The 13th.” This is not about setting the
mood for a look into the darkness of the human soul; this is about
teenagers having sex and showers of blood!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKam9X8zgc4on668XQt7Ac07iM7T2jn8YgByg_KzAGK141PkVdlZL-Apu5vaMlRpgyNRVhwnI9MLsakEIAptxTztyMHzUoN_-EOEEVXGkxc9dcH1UqxP4uMYxT2jUAnujB3RmEpJ4-4R3/s1600/jasonvoorhees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="320" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKam9X8zgc4on668XQt7Ac07iM7T2jn8YgByg_KzAGK141PkVdlZL-Apu5vaMlRpgyNRVhwnI9MLsakEIAptxTztyMHzUoN_-EOEEVXGkxc9dcH1UqxP4uMYxT2jUAnujB3RmEpJ4-4R3/s400/jasonvoorhees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to roll for initiative: good luck. (<i>image: New Line)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It’s a perfect genre for a game like
USR, because statistics are less important in a narrative game. No
one in the setting can go toe-to-toe with Freddy or Jason; they’re
much too powerful. Instead, the protagonists have to out-think or at
least out-run their enemy. You could have a game where players are
the monsters themselves, but that’s really just a superhero game
(without the “hero”), and it’s not what we’re going for here. This idea was inspired by the <a href="http://www.spectrum-games.com/slasher-flick.html">Slasher Flick RPG</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In a slasher film game, each player
creates three characters, using the standard Domino Writing-style USR
rules (though without assigning equipment or spending Combat Gear
points). Specialisms in this game should lean heavily toward
stereotypes, like Cheerleader, Jock, Redneck, Naive, and Rebellious.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You can determine Narrative Points and
Hit Points for the characters, but they probably won’t use them.
And don’t forget to create a slasher — make sure it’s got a
signature weapon (a clawed glove, a chainsaw) and a gimmick (attacks
in dreams, possesses the body of a doll).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When the slasher is ready to start its
rampage, roll a die to decide which of the characters is the first
victim. If there’s three players, that’s nine characters; roll a
d10 to decide which one is first. Other characters may be in the
scene, but the current victim gets the spotlight.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Create a scenario for that victim: what
they’re doing before the slasher shows up and what they do to
escape or fight back. The scenario should have three die rolls built
into it. Here’s a few examples.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Run away from the slasher (Action)</li>
<li>Build a trap from stuff around the
campsite (Mind)</li>
<li>Try to explain the horror that’s just
up ahead to the gullible county sheriff (Ego)</li>
<li>Grab a farm implement and start
swinging it at the slasher (Action)</li>
<li>Summon magical powers you only have in
your wildest fantasies to attack the slasher (Mind)</li>
<li>Talk the slasher out of fighting back
(Ego)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tell a story with those dice rolls
mixed in. It’s a “best two out of three” situation: if the
character succeeds at two or three of the rolls, he or she
survives... for now. After each character has told his or her own
little story, count up the number of survivors. If more than half are
alive at the end, the players win, but that’s the end of that
horror movie franchise — fans are there for the clever kills, after
all. If half the survivors, or fewer, remain, the slasher joins the
fraternity with Michael Myers and Ghostface.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>What does your slasher
look like?</i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-14800533839986542812017-10-23T11:32:00.000-04:002017-10-23T11:41:04.391-04:00Microlite 20: Pathfinder-Equivalent ClassesThere's a new edition of the <a href="http://blog.retroroleplaying.com/2017/10/the-microlite20-rpg-collection-2017.html">Microlite 20 Collection</a> available, over on RetroRoleplaying, which includes everything from the 2012 version plus updates. <a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/microlite-20/">My games</a> — Ultimate Fantasy, Ultimate Modern-Day, Ultimate Costumes, Ultimate Mecha, and Ultimate Ultramicrolite — are all on there. So those are the versions I'll be referring to when I write new content for the game, and using the page numbers listed there, even though each game has its own page numbers (in case you're not looking at the whole thing).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG71h3OXDRXvnKARaKF-DS93sV9mQQgC8YKHctL9iH4n1h0RgDfOmThB6Ece8u9uLPhwW3s63sC-ICl5g8cwVjI1bLbqkON64xi7_1_BtvM6fP4KjfFWspICKLlTSpK9KLyS19UvTYC_rl/s1600/pf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="970" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG71h3OXDRXvnKARaKF-DS93sV9mQQgC8YKHctL9iH4n1h0RgDfOmThB6Ece8u9uLPhwW3s63sC-ICl5g8cwVjI1bLbqkON64xi7_1_BtvM6fP4KjfFWspICKLlTSpK9KLyS19UvTYC_rl/s400/pf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All these characters can be yours, even without your Pathfinder books. (<i>image: Paizo.com</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
My new Microlite 20 content will look something like this:<br />
<br />
While there are Pathfinder RPG versions in the Ultimate Collection (specifically, page 1169), Ultimate Fantasy offers a unique set of classes, which uses the Class Points rules described on page 212. The classes themselves are on page 233.<br />
<br />
Here's a list of Pathfinder classes and their Microlite 20 Ultimate Fantasy class equivalents, because one of my goals for Ultimate Fantasy was to cover as many "Fantasy RPG" bases as I could with the game expansion. This includes all the Pathfinder classes to date, as found on <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/">PFSRD.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<table border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 385px;">
<colgroup><col width="115"></col>
<col width="252"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115"><b>Pathfinder Class</b></td>
<td width="252"><b>Microlite 20 Ultimate Fantasy Class</b></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Barbarian</td>
<td width="252">Barbarian</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Bard</td>
<td width="252">Bard</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Cleric</td>
<td width="252">Cleric</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Druid</td>
<td width="252">Animal Master, Druid, Wanderer</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Fighter</td>
<td width="252">Fighter</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Monk</td>
<td width="252">Monk</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Paladin</td>
<td width="252">Paladin</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Ranger</td>
<td width="252">Animal Master, Ranger, Twin Blade</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Rogue</td>
<td width="252">Rogue</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Sorcerer</td>
<td width="252">Sorcerer</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Wizard</td>
<td width="252">Wizard</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Alchemist</td>
<td width="252">Alchemist</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Cavalier</td>
<td width="252">Knight</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Gunslinger</td>
<td width="252">Gunslinger</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Inquisitor</td>
<td width="252">Wrathbringer</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Magus</td>
<td width="252">Mystic</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Oracle</td>
<td width="252">Invoker</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Summoner</td>
<td width="252">Summoner</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Vigilante</td>
<td width="252">see below</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Witch</td>
<td width="252">Warlock</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Anti-Paladin</td>
<td width="252">Anti-Paladin</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Ninja</td>
<td width="252">Ninja</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Samurai</td>
<td width="252">Samurai</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Arcanist</td>
<td width="252">Sorcerer, Wizard</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Bloodrager</td>
<td width="252">Barbarian</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Brawler</td>
<td width="252">see below</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Hunter</td>
<td width="252">Ranger</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Investigator</td>
<td width="252">Assassin, Rogue</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Shaman</td>
<td width="252">Shaman</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Skald</td>
<td width="252">see below</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Slayer</td>
<td width="252">see below</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Swashbuckler</td>
<td width="252">Swashbuckler</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Warpriest</td>
<td width="252">Cleric</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Kineticist</td>
<td width="252">Warlock</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Medium</td>
<td width="252">Cleric</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Mesmerist</td>
<td width="252">see below</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Occultist</td>
<td width="252">Wizard</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Psychic</td>
<td width="252">Psion</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="115">Spiritualist</td>
<td width="252">Summoner</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are a few classes that don't have a match in Microlite 20 Ultimate Fantasy.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Vigilante</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Class Type: Rogue</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
+1 Subterfuge, +1 Knowledge, +1
Communication</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Improved Initiative, Monster Knowledge,
Reputation (Easy To Ignore), Wealth</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Brawler</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Class Type: Fighter</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
+2 Physical, +1 Subterfuge</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Attack Bonus: Melee/Hand-To-Hand,
Strikeback, Unarmed Damage, Wuxia Defenses</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Skald</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Class Type: Rogue</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
+1 Physical, +2 Communication</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Brute Force, Good Fortune, Medium
Armor, Performance</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Slayer
</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Class Type: Fighter</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
+1 Physical, +2 Subterfuge</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Attack Bonus: Melee/Hand-To-Hand, Heavy
Armor And Shields, Medium Armor, Monster Knowledge</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mesmerist
</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Class Type: Wizard</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
+2 Knowledge, +1 Communication</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lesser Spell List: Illusionist, Quick
Thinker, Sneak Attack</div>
<br />Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-42051806927286494362017-10-18T12:42:00.000-04:002017-10-18T12:42:28.457-04:00USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part VII — Villains<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our villains are presented as of the
beginning of “Return Of The Jedi” — so they’re all still
alive... none of them actually survive the film!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Darth Vader</b>, Level 4, Experience Points
15</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D10, Wits D8, Ego D6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Pilot +2, The Force +4,
Intimidate +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 33</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Lightsaber +2, Body Armor
with Breathing System +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTN6i1K9Dqn7w4a02juLMlj71artvZSMfDQIwLVYjJA8H-ACWTdqLWbZZ5OlXDd2iYMNZxrIkX6iHUHAxsEfVJebHZQHDmDD2L1euG9unIsGFOMBW43AWs7KWES3a6CH29tjJIy7E1rzK/s1600/jedi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTN6i1K9Dqn7w4a02juLMlj71artvZSMfDQIwLVYjJA8H-ACWTdqLWbZZ5OlXDd2iYMNZxrIkX6iHUHAxsEfVJebHZQHDmDD2L1euG9unIsGFOMBW43AWs7KWES3a6CH29tjJIy7E1rzK/s640/jedi.jpg" width="443" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this Polish "Return Of The Jedi" poster the best of all "Star Wars" movie posters? Yes, yes it is. (<i>image: reddit.com</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Jabba The Hutt</b>, Level 3, Experience
Points 10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D6, Wits D8, Ego D10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Command +2, Great Wealth
+3, Underworld Contacts +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 24</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: None</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 7</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Boba Fett</b>, Level 4, Experience Points
15</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D10, Wits D8, Ego D6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Bounty Hunter +3, Pilot
+3, Negotiation +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 33</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Mandalorian Armor +2,
Blaster Rifle +2, Grappling Line, Rocket Pack</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>The Emperor</b> works in the background,
even during the final showdown at the end of “Return Of The Jedi”
(all he physically does is shoot Force Lightning — and fall down a
ventilation shaft, of course). He’s better represented as a Power
Level VI monster than as a character.</div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-19028214707184141972017-10-11T10:24:00.002-04:002017-10-11T10:25:39.024-04:00USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part VI — More Heroes<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just like last time, this is as of the
beginning of “Return Of The Jedi,” except for Obi-Wan).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcVp1aNPQZxIDn6-WWRBYL0hBa07KFdjic1ICRjsPlvbxfCCeXViSopOcUJ4WSomdVQNlbtA0YXKy7WfSNFyOAMUu6qQxYOtHFO8JL0khwusT5Vjeg4LyYFyHGaBbK6mL1EGaHuQ-pcFX/s1600/rey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="862" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcVp1aNPQZxIDn6-WWRBYL0hBa07KFdjic1ICRjsPlvbxfCCeXViSopOcUJ4WSomdVQNlbtA0YXKy7WfSNFyOAMUu6qQxYOtHFO8JL0khwusT5Vjeg4LyYFyHGaBbK6mL1EGaHuQ-pcFX/s400/rey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new trailer for "The Last Jedi" has been released, but our blog post is a look at "Star Wars" history. (<i>image: vanityfair.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Obi-Wan Kenobi</b>, Level 4, Experience
Points 15 (note: his statistics are as of the start of “A New Hope”
— after that, he becomes a Specialism for Luke)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D8, Wits D10, Ego D6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: The Force +4, Inspiring
+3, Investigation +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 33</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Lightsaber +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>C-3PO</b>, Level 3, Experience Points 10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D6, Wits D10, Ego D8</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Etiquette & Protocol
+3, Languages +3, Storytelling +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 26</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: none</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 7
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>R2-D2</b>, Level 3, Experience Points 10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D6, Wits D10, Ego D8</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Computers +3, Repair +3,
Deception +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 26</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Electric Shock Probe +1
(note: R2-D2 doesn’t use his rocket jets in the original films, so
they’re not included here, either)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Lando Calrissian</b>, Level 3, Experience
Points 10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D8, Wits D6, Ego D10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Bureacracy +3, Pilot +2,
Gambler +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 24</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Blaster +2, Expensive
Clothes, Unlimited Line Of Credit (until it’s called in by the
bank)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Yoda</b>, Level 5, Experience Points 20</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D8, Wits D10, Ego D6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: The Force +5, Inspiring
+2, History +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 38</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: none (note: again, as this
doesn’t include the Prequel movies, Yoda is simply a wise mentor,
not a super-acrobatic military leader)</div>
Narrative Points: 7 Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-49783095100546963542017-10-04T10:37:00.002-04:002017-10-05T09:37:06.940-04:00USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part V — Heroes<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We wrap up our series on the classic "Star Wars" films with the main characters, as of the beginning of "Return Of The Jedi." Note that they have much less adventuring equipment than most RPG characters, since they don't need to carry medical packs for healing, extra weapons, rope, 10-foot-poles, and so much more.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYouDAvscw2NztAkOZxQirJDAakvjUq68peh5hAx5rrM-53o1xfP05E7h6rponXVMrCouL2S4d18nZq-8JNs2XhU0KkyvTbwQCqYdxSI6gC3b4wXMJQuK8DMYeemni-mNdAhInLEHFB0el/s1600/luke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="800" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYouDAvscw2NztAkOZxQirJDAakvjUq68peh5hAx5rrM-53o1xfP05E7h6rponXVMrCouL2S4d18nZq-8JNs2XhU0KkyvTbwQCqYdxSI6gC3b4wXMJQuK8DMYeemni-mNdAhInLEHFB0el/s400/luke.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those robes don't provide any combat bonus. (<i>image: LucasFilm</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke Skywalker</b>, Level 3, Experience
Points 10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D10, Wits D8, Ego D6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Jedi In Training (The
Force) +2, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Force Spirit +1, Fighter Pilot +3,
Impulsive +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 28</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Lightsaber +2, Blaster +1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 4</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Han Solo</b>, Level 4, Experience Points 15</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D10, Wits D6, Ego D8</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Millennium Falcon +2,
Reckless +3, Quick Reflexes +2, Bargain +1, Loyal +1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 31</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Blaster Pistol +1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Leia Organa</b>, Level 3, Experience Points
10</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D6, Wits D10, Ego D8</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Diplomat +3, Tough In A
Fight +2, Galactic Etiquette And History +2, Observation +1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 26</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Blaster Pistol +1, Data
Files</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Chewbacca</b>, Level 4, Experience Points
15</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Action D10, Wits D8, Ego D6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms: Pilot +3, Repair +2,
Intimidate +2, Perception +2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Points: 33</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment: Wookee bowcaster +2, Tool
kit</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative Points: 5</div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-45340899918737820602017-09-27T10:21:00.000-04:002017-09-27T10:21:09.022-04:00USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part IV — Experience Levels <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We’ll wrap up our series on the
original “Star Wars” trilogy with statistics for the heroes and
villains from the films. But first, a note on levels: unlike Dungeons
& Dragons, the Fantasy Flight Star Wars RPGs, and other
professionally published games, USR doesn’t rely on characters
adding a host of new abilities as they gain levels. Yes, they may add
Specialisms and hit points, but we don’t have a list of special
abilities added at each level for each class. We don’t even have
classes for characters. So here’s the guideline I’m using for
Domino Writing-style USR characters.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As seen in the USR rules, you gain 1 to
3 experience points per adventure, and go up a level every 5 XP. In
other words, one level per two to three adventures, or roughly one
level for every five or so game sessions (depending on how long your
game sessions last). A character can gain unlimited levels, but by
levels above 5, most monsters will no longer be a real threat. So
let’s say a level 6 character has to “retire” from adventuring,
or at least stop gaining XP.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here’s “A New Hope,” complete
with experience point awards.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDY-XjPffBR5n21ARIwxv-1lpMKjqMhfhqVbOKfCG70uaDc-ohtiPEUQ9BIYR_rBt9Z0WM9-YfXuaq7s9P32uVLXeOWpUtqnK7Ghly_bCuyJERDZIC6pR-O9s5GZOoCacpdOAla0GGfhIm/s1600/rogue-one-bts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="748" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDY-XjPffBR5n21ARIwxv-1lpMKjqMhfhqVbOKfCG70uaDc-ohtiPEUQ9BIYR_rBt9Z0WM9-YfXuaq7s9P32uVLXeOWpUtqnK7Ghly_bCuyJERDZIC6pR-O9s5GZOoCacpdOAla0GGfhIm/s400/rogue-one-bts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read this text box to start the adventure. (<i>image: LucasFilm)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
First game session</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Luke Skywalker and
Obi-Wan Kenobi join Han Solo and Chewbacca (and the droids) in the
Mos Eisley cantina, where they have to make a quick escape off the
planet Tattooine. They escape to Alderaan, per the “quest giver”
Princess Leia hologram. But Alderaan has been destroyed, and their
ship is captured. 1 XP for everyone!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Everything before the cantina — the
death of Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, the escape of C3PO and R2-D2 with
the Death Star plans — is backstory, helping develop the
personalities of the characters. Obi-Wan and Han (and probably
Chewie, too) should be level 2 or 3, really, but RPGs don’t often
work with characters of different levels in the same party, so we’ll
have to chalk it up to the difference between a movie and a tabletop
RPG.</div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Second game session</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the Death Star,
the party frees Princess Leia and Obi-Wan dies (soon to become a new
Specialism for Luke). 2 XP for the dramatic conclusion to the game
session.</div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Third game session</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Empire follows
the Millennium Falcon to Yavin IV, triggering the dramatic space
battle and destruction of the first Death Star. 2 more XP, and
everyone goes up a level. The End.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You could define the events of the
entire movie as one adventure (so they advance to level 2 at the end
of “Return Of The Jedi”), but I want my heroes to gain XP a
little more quickly. There are big challenges ahead; they need to be
ready.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After “The Empire Strikes Back,”
they go up another level. And since we’re only looking at the
original films, that’s where we’ll stop. Despite what I said
before, to “accurately” portray the characters, they’ll be at
different levels. That’s what you’ll see next week, when we
provide USR statistics for the heroes of Star Wars.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>How many game sessions
will it take to play the Harry Potter novels?</i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-40114138366227660652017-09-26T21:52:00.001-04:002017-09-26T21:52:47.191-04:00VSGMR: Basic RulesThere's a new version of the VSGMR rules up on <a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/vsgmr/">my website</a>, and as you can see I've kept the rules almost the way they were before, but I've split the document into two parts.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Part 1: Basic Rules</b> is what makes the name "Very Simple" true. It's seven pages from introduction to summary, but as I noted in the rules themselves, you only really need the dice roll summary page once you've played the game once or twice. The idea, as always, is to keep the rules easy to pick up but not so simplified that there's no variety in your troops at all.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Part 2: Rules Options</b> is under development, but it will include most of what came before. I'm going to refine what was already written to include more options and offer things that no other game does. Plenty of games have special abilities for troops, but not VSGMR special abilities. And what makes the game more unique than any other is the rules for super-powered heroes and for characters of different scales. If you have action figures, let's put them to use (well, if you're not using them in a game of <a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/other-games/">Plastic Attack</a>, that is).<br />
<br />
That's what's coming for VSGMR. After that, the plan is to generate armies, complete with points values and special abilities. I'd like to see your ideas for armies too!Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-47939655825162142382017-09-20T10:40:00.001-04:002017-09-20T10:42:06.660-04:00USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part III — Vehicles, Monsters and Equipment<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This time we’ll use the Specialism
rules for weapons, armor and vehicles.
</div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Vehicles</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You can use the “Vehicles as
equipment” option, as listed below.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
X-Wing +1, TIE Fighter +1, Millennium
Falcon +2, Star Destroyer +4</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Landspeeder + 1, Speeder Bike +1, AT-ST
+2, AT-AT +3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Alternately, because space battles are so important
to Star Wars, vehicles can get an entire set of stats, as found in
Somnium Void. If you’re using this option, characters who
often fly starships (like Han, Luke and Vader) should have a Specialism like Pilot +2.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<center>
<table border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 363px;">
<colgroup><col width="138"></col>
<col width="207"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="138"><b>Star Wars</b></td>
<td width="207"><b>Sominum Void</b></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="138">X-Wing,<br />
TIE Fighter</td>
<td width="207">Attack Ship</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="138">Millennium Falcon</td>
<td width="207">Cruiser</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="138">Star Destroyer</td>
<td width="207">Battleship</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="138">Landspeeder</td>
<td width="207">Skimmer</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="138">Speeder Bike</td>
<td width="207">Zoom Bike<br />
(add a blaster +1)</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="138">AT-ST</td>
<td width="207">Tank</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_riytX-9hxdqojj6b9VnNPwlW7JR1xfDI9BlJ3_TJnN9lFXAHombwxryePYltOvTNKf1-WIEODrinMkMtpUWYn8vuxYq4e9d8jIjCnwvg5O_OZx3kLoThCsmg7SveacFTetRdmoki-FNl/s1600/atat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="800" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_riytX-9hxdqojj6b9VnNPwlW7JR1xfDI9BlJ3_TJnN9lFXAHombwxryePYltOvTNKf1-WIEODrinMkMtpUWYn8vuxYq4e9d8jIjCnwvg5O_OZx3kLoThCsmg7SveacFTetRdmoki-FNl/s400/atat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These require their own rules. (<i>image: starwars.com</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u>AT-AT</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Type: Heavy</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Maneuver: 8</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hits: 60</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Armour: 6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Weapons: Heavy linked blasters +6</div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Monsters</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Power Level I: Mynock</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Power Level II: Dianoga, Gamorrean
Guard, Stormtrooper, Tauntaun</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Power Level III: Wampa</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Power Level V: Rancor</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Equipment</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bacta tank (heals 5 hit points per
hour)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Blaster (light +1 ranged weapon)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Blaster Rifle (medium +2 ranged weapon)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Comlink
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
E-Web Repeating Blaster (heavy +3
ranged weapon)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Flight suit (light +1 armor)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lightsaber (medium +2 melee weapon —
it can also cut through anything except another lightsaber)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pike (medium +2 melee weapon)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stormtrooper armor (medium +2 armor —
this also can be used for Mandalorian warriors, like Boba Fett)</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thermal Detonator (heavy +3 ranged
weapon)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>What other gear and creatures should be available in USR Star Wars?</i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-84513478378820650132017-09-13T09:36:00.000-04:002017-09-13T20:31:16.790-04:00USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part II — The Force<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Force is one of the things that
makes “Star Wars”... well, Star Wars. It’s not quite magic or
psionics as seen in other works of fiction, but it’s easy to
understand, and so well-known it’s even referred to outside of
fantasy and science fiction (I can’t count the number of times
someone has said “Use the Force” or “Jedi mind trick” without
talking about Star Wars).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYiLTMQKXslsZgal7V9WgeeMW7OrPcZttPNLdvCGN5obHk-D0sOzL2Ut66hYRY2eslp9vzAX9bs82en3Rq87gHJJdKCXCLs9quMfuDCLEIHJJk1lxCNH22DlHhyphenhyphenJduGQu7i6746s9MgYg/s1600/gandalf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYiLTMQKXslsZgal7V9WgeeMW7OrPcZttPNLdvCGN5obHk-D0sOzL2Ut66hYRY2eslp9vzAX9bs82en3Rq87gHJJdKCXCLs9quMfuDCLEIHJJk1lxCNH22DlHhyphenhyphenJduGQu7i6746s9MgYg/s320/gandalf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my new favorite meme. (<i>image: youtube.com</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Powers</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the role playing games, novels and
the video games they inspired, Jedi, Sith and other Force-users have
access to dozens of powers. But since this series is only focused on
the original trilogy of films, there’s only about a half-dozen
abilities. Most of these names come from the d6 system Star Wars RPG,
where they were created.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Battle Meditation</b>, which Luke does
while hiding from Vader in the Death Star throne room at the end of
“Return Of The Jedi.” Qui-Gon Jinn does it better in “The
Phantom Menace,” but remember, we’re only covering the original
trilogy here.</li>
<li><b>Enhanced Reflexes</b>, used when Luke leaps
out of the freezing chamber on Bespin.</li>
<li><b>Force Choke</b>, Darth Vader’s favorite
gimmick.</li>
<li><b>Force Defense</b>, which Vader used to
block Han’s blaster, and Luke used to parry the speeder bike shots
on Endor.</li>
<li><b>Force Lightning</b>, the Emperor’s
signature move.</li>
<li><b>Healing</b>, which Obi-Wan does after Luke
is attacked by the Tusken Raider.</li>
<li><b>Suggestion</b> (the Jedi Mind Trick),
Obi-Wan’s favorite for the weak-minded.</li>
<li><b>Telekinesis</b>, or as “Weird Al”
Yankovic put it, “I picked up a box, I lifted some rocks, while I
stood on my head.”</li>
<li><b>Telepathy</b>, Luke’s message to Leia
shortly thereafter in “The Empire Strikes Back.”</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That’s nine Force powers. You could
make each one its own Specialism, but let’s take a cue from last
week, where I described The Force (or Use The Force) as a Specialism
itself. Each power, then, is just a way a character can use The
Force. We don’t even need to detail “power levels” or anything
like that; in most of the Star Wars RPGs, there are specific rules
for how much damage Force Lightning causes, or how far a message sent
with Telepathy will reach.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdpLPzPNGyms4tMWGR4NufgRLwMJJgh8uKbUMWvCSaezFekC7tu2y24EhXdCefcmPDfcOqdrJk3ozQuKNRhZlh8t07km301TJ5jBzn2MFCUfBsiWHjqpKzV7Dboxl3AWY45A3_O1iRq2x/s1600/yoda.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="422" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdpLPzPNGyms4tMWGR4NufgRLwMJJgh8uKbUMWvCSaezFekC7tu2y24EhXdCefcmPDfcOqdrJk3ozQuKNRhZlh8t07km301TJ5jBzn2MFCUfBsiWHjqpKzV7Dboxl3AWY45A3_O1iRq2x/s320/yoda.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoda's player is making a Wits + The Force roll right now. R2-D2's player is eating some potato chips. (<i>image: jediapprentice.tripod.com</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But this is USR, and specifics like
that are not Unbelievably Simple. Narratively, it doesn’t matter.
How high does Luke leap, on a successful Wits + The Force roll? As
high as the game master decides works for the story. The target
number is set based on the amount of stress the hero is under, the
obstacles in the way of the leap and the need for the hero to succeed
(in this case, our game master, George, set it at a 7).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Another example: the Emperor rolled
well on his Wits + The Force roll when attacking Luke with Force
Lightning, causing enough hit point damage to knock Luke to the
ground and keep him sparkling with electricity. He doesn’t need a
separate listing of damage caused by Force Lightning. It’s just an
effect of this particular Wits + The Force die roll.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Training</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Training to gain powers is an important
part of The Force in Star Wars. Since there’s only nine powers to
choose from, let’s say a hero with The Force as a Specialism starts
with two, and gains another after each level. You can increase or
decrease that rate, of course, especially if you add more Force
powers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And then there’s the Dark Side. In
the other Star Wars RPGs, you collect a number of Dark Side points
each time you use a Dark Side power (here it’s Force Choke and
Force Lightning), or if you do something else evil. Too many, and
you’ve fallen to the Dark Side and become an NPC. You can do the
same in USR Star Wars (say, a number of points equal to your Ego die
value — 6, 8 or 10), or simply make it part of the story, where a
character turns to the Dark Side when it’s dramatically
appropriate.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A Kind Of Magic</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The rules for The Force can probably be
used for any other kind of supernatural power, too; because of the
way combat is handled in Domino Writing-style USR, a killer fireball
or a summoned mass of strangling vines is just a way to describe a
successful Wits + Magic Specialism roll. Or it could be an Ego +
Magic roll, to represent those characters who derive their power from
their force of will.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>What Force powers did I
miss from our Original Trilogy list?</i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-90651512609024520082017-09-11T12:39:00.000-04:002017-09-13T20:38:01.429-04:00VSGMR: Where Do We Begin?<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Very Simple game should have very simple rules, and in an effort to be comprehensive, I'm including everything I can think of in the game's rules. That's a conflict, of course, but here's the solution: a one-page summary of the necessary dice rolls, with detailed information on those rules, and following that a big section of optional rules, like points values, special abilities (one of the things the Yahoo Group really got a lot of enjoyment from), and scenarios.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
We start with an introduction and the materials needed to play. I called the miniature figures "guys" because that's what they're most often called, especially when they're not actually hobby gaming miniatures (i.e., LEGOs, action figures, even dolls). The girlfriend of a friend used to call them "your little people," but I'm not going to use that term in the rules.<br />
<br />
The current version of the rules also mentioned a measuring tool. As in most miniatures battle games, that refers to a ruler. For VSGMR, where "twisting and turning" the measuring tool is suggested, try a flexible ruler, like the ones used for sewing. It's basically a ribbon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ye1W_4uLfq151jBIVUNut0mDWPfcLeOQh9G4deSL_ln8SbM4gJ7ryscSOg9GaTh5mGOsuYfKZk61kSRL27b-8VHfuvk3TR-Jer5KcmCXqGuucRn1-_nZdTRZ2KIHF17AmfXRDHfQdg-I/s1600/sewing+ruler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ye1W_4uLfq151jBIVUNut0mDWPfcLeOQh9G4deSL_ln8SbM4gJ7ryscSOg9GaTh5mGOsuYfKZk61kSRL27b-8VHfuvk3TR-Jer5KcmCXqGuucRn1-_nZdTRZ2KIHF17AmfXRDHfQdg-I/s320/sewing+ruler.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this, but you only need one (mine is yellow). (<i>image: aliexpress.com</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dice, a playing surface, and markers of some kind should be easy enough to come by. Coins are great markers, though make sure they're all the same size, since using a large coin as an objective marker makes it a little easier for figures to touch.<br />
<br />
That leaves terrain, which at its most basic (its Very Simplest), is stacks of books or old boxes, maybe decorated a little bit. There's also <a href="http://www.talkwargaming.com/2014/04/top-10-free-papercraft-terrain-sites.html">print-and-fold terrain</a> <a href="https://roleplayingtips.com/maps-minis/22-terrain-hacks-for-the-low-budget-game-master/">out there</a>; finding good resources is the subject of another post.<br />
<br />
So here's where we start, with what you need to play. It hasn't changed, and it will be part of the basic rules of the new VSGMR. It's <span style="font-family: inherit;">is one of about a dozen games, or game variants, I'm playtesting and revising now. They'll all eventually be on </span><a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/other-games/" style="font-family: inherit;">my website</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, though some have work-in-progress versions available now.</span>Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-34348204520015558062017-09-06T12:28:00.000-04:002017-09-13T20:32:38.088-04:00USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part I — Classes<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now that we’ve looked at a lot of the
basics to help expand your USR games, from Specialisms to vehicles
and monsters, let’s turn to settings. And if the sales charts from
<a href="http://icv2.com/articles/games">ICv2</a> are anything to consider, the most popular genre after medieval
fantasy is “Star Wars.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For Domino Writing-style USR, “Star
Wars” consists of the classic trilogy (“A New Hope,” “The
Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return Of The Jedi”). The prequels
and sequels have new ideas to offer the “Star Wars” universe but
nothing as indelible as the original films. I won’t be writing much
about them, though I’m looking forward to someone providing stats
for Qui-Gon Jinn and Kylo Ren.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDYrGPQF-PgAiRXkX4NuSrUSKOqXAOG50-k9fn9BTQFD_fNfJbIWjJvNS6WYl844hsl81jGpgHFa5KZF2e_41VGLtc8OlNdYnVzPCqrCy9Y52MrIAxGwTOJUGbK2xTNWXi7TvnLZEvo1y/s1600/star-wars-general-0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="604" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDYrGPQF-PgAiRXkX4NuSrUSKOqXAOG50-k9fn9BTQFD_fNfJbIWjJvNS6WYl844hsl81jGpgHFa5KZF2e_41VGLtc8OlNdYnVzPCqrCy9Y52MrIAxGwTOJUGbK2xTNWXi7TvnLZEvo1y/s400/star-wars-general-0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Everyone in this picture, too. In a few weeks there will be stats for one of them. (<i>image: sonsofcorax.wordpress.com</i>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In most fantasy RPGs, a character has a
race and a class. Despite appearances, that’s not the case for Star
Wars, where a character’s species really isn’t that significant.
A Wookiee might have Strong +2 as a Specialism, but a Rodian or
Ithorian doesn’t have particularly strong “racial”
characteristics. Droids, on the other hand, are nothing but special
abilities. Consider Multi-lingual +2 or Computer hacking +2
(Specialisms droids from the films might have).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A character’s profession is best
described using an archetype, like the ones we’ve seen for
modern-day characters and in USR games like Somnium Void.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Scoundrel</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Primary Stat: Action</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Specialisms: Pilot, Bargain,
Hide, Charm</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Equipment: Pistol, Huge debt</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Note: “Rogue With A Heart Of Gold”
isn’t really a good Specialism, since there probably aren’t many
ways to apply the bonus this would provide if it was a Specialism.
It’s a great description of the character’s personality, though.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jedi</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Primary Stat: Mind</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Specialisms: Dedication,
Leadership, Inspiration, Athletics, The Force*</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Equipment: Lightsaber</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Warrior</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Primary Stat: Action</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Specialisms: Endurance,
Military Tactics, Terrain Knowledge</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Equipment: Rifle</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Outworlder</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Primary Stat: Wits</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Specialisms: Invent,
Survivalist, Riding, Bargain</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Equipment: Droid parts,
All-weather clothing</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sage</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Primary Stat: Wits</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Specialisms: Knowledge,
Reference Tools, Etiquette</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Equipment: Computer</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Diplomat</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Primary Stat: Ego</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Specialisms: Negotiate,
Leadership, Languages</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Equipment: none</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Technician</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Primary Stat: Wits</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Specialisms: Hacking,
Computers, Repair, Jury-Rig</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Suggested Equipment: Repair tools</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">*A note on The Force: To simulate the
Jedi or other Force-users at the most basic level, the player simply
makes a Wits roll against a target number determined by the game
master, depending on the complexity of the power. We’ll get into a
more involved (but still Unbelievably Simple) version of The Force
next time.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What classes need to be
added to USR Star Wars?</span></i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-82892375433178947982017-08-30T11:01:00.000-04:002017-09-13T20:39:29.192-04:00USR Wednesdays: Monsters<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A “monster,” in a role playing
game, is any enemy, from the little goblins and huge dragons of
classic fantasy, to security guards and ninja in modern games, to
little robots and huge mutants in science fiction. They don’t have
to be inhuman — even your evil twin is a monster, after all. Since
our guiding principle in USR is to be simple and fast, let’s create
an entire Monster Manual in one chart.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAuRik8GeHlY2ws5Ouu-x2aqjPcZxtF9rM5GM7WynPcMFmlzUR5-Xcde0KucK5v7UYa2FUAI89kcc7yJ7k8o4l1P2BDJua5En__Nf7zyV9zh3VPl54osN9NnoRMGDyVU4BmZG3SQxDgji/s1600/monster-manuals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAuRik8GeHlY2ws5Ouu-x2aqjPcZxtF9rM5GM7WynPcMFmlzUR5-Xcde0KucK5v7UYa2FUAI89kcc7yJ7k8o4l1P2BDJua5En__Nf7zyV9zh3VPl54osN9NnoRMGDyVU4BmZG3SQxDgji/s320/monster-manuals.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Like these ones, but all in one blog post. (<i>image: dungeonsmaster.com)</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is inspired by the original
monster chart, found in Scott Malthouse’s Halberd Fantasy
Roleplaying, page 26. It assigns levels to monsters, to approximate
their power and competence. We’ll streamline it here.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<center>
<table border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="page-break-before: auto; width: 628px;">
<colgroup><col width="91"></col>
<col width="100"></col>
<col width="107"></col>
<col width="75"></col>
<col width="213"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="91"><div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Power Level
</span></b></div>
</td>
<td width="100"><div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Main Stat Die
</span></b></div>
</td>
<td width="107"><div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Combat Bonus
</span></b></div>
</td>
<td width="75"><div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hit Points
</span></b></div>
</td>
<td width="213"><div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Examples</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="91"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I</span></div>
</td>
<td width="100"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">D6</span></div>
</td>
<td width="107"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">+0</span></div>
</td>
<td width="75"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5</span></div>
</td>
<td width="213"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Giant Rat, Goblin</span></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="91"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">II</span></div>
</td>
<td width="100"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">D6</span></div>
</td>
<td width="107"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">+1</span></div>
</td>
<td width="75"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">10</span></div>
</td>
<td width="213"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Guard, Orc, Thug, Wolf</span></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="91"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">III</span></div>
</td>
<td width="100"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">D8</span></div>
</td>
<td width="107"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">+2</span></div>
</td>
<td width="75"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">15</span></div>
</td>
<td width="213"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ninja, Security Robot, Soldier</span></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="91"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">IV</span></div>
</td>
<td width="100"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">D8</span></div>
</td>
<td width="107"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">+3</span></div>
</td>
<td width="75"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">20</span></div>
</td>
<td width="213"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bear, Gang Boss</span></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="91"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">V</span></div>
</td>
<td width="100"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">D10
</span></div>
</td>
<td width="107"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">+4</span></div>
</td>
<td width="75"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">25</span></div>
</td>
<td width="213"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ogre, Super-Soldier</span></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="91"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">VI</span></div>
</td>
<td width="100"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
D10
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(or
D12)</span></div>
</td>
<td width="107"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">+5</span></div>
</td>
<td width="75"><div align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.15in; margin-right: 0.09in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">30</span></div>
</td>
<td width="213"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dragon, Vampire Lord</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Main Stat Die</b>: The die used for most of
the monster’s rolls. In most cases, this will be its Action stat,
but a psychic warrior might have its Mind as the main stat, to better
use its powers.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can assign the other stats as
needed, based on what’s appropriate for the monster (for example,
the guard standing outside the emperor’s throne room has Action as
his main stat, representing his fighting skills with that halberd
he’s carrying. But if you’re trying to convince him to let you
pass, you’ll have to decide what his Wits stat is — probably
about the same as his action, a D6). In the same way, Specialisms
aren’t listed for monsters, but they can be assigned as needed,
probably offering a bonus of +1 or +2, like a starting hero. You
might even assign a penalty to a monster’s roll, say -2 if a big,
dumb ogre is trying to solve the riddle your hero has posed. And trying to play a riddle game with a normal wolf simply won't work at all, no dice rolls, penalties or bonuses needed.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Combat Bonus</b>: This is used for both the
monster’s attacks and defenses, and represents weapons, armor,
brute strength, magical ability, and whatever else is needed. It too
can fluctuate depending on the specific attack the creature is
making: that vampire lord uses a +5 to lure your hero close to him,
but only a +2 to throw a punch.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Hit Points</b>: The maximum hit points for
the monster, putting Power Level II and III monsters on par with most
Domino Writing-style USR heroes. You can take a cue from Dungeons &
Dragons 4th Edition and decrease a monster’s HP to 1, if you want
to have heroes wipe out a half-dozen monsters in just a few turns.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The math here is pretty easy to see, so
you can create more mosters easily, though most things will fit
somewhere on this scale.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where do monsters in
your game fit on the Power Level chart?</span></i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-80158452175694401002017-08-29T10:57:00.003-04:002017-09-13T20:37:52.346-04:00VSGMR: Updating For A New Tomorrow<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, a long time ago my game <a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/other-games/">VSGMR</a> (Very Simple Generic Miniatures Rules — I wanted a placeholder name, and it kind of stuck. Hey, it worked for GURPS) was popular enough that it earned its own <a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/vsgmr/info">Yahoo Group</a>. I was just there this morning; you can still find a number of expansions written by several participants, everything from cavemen to "Star Wars."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziV5CbLI3SCA6u5r7adlBBj3nUZ-W3kFw1Ar15QmCOccBOvBW5SOfhf4UKgzvmPTglO2aNEH6P4QhKRVvCL4vxQH7vdr7EsvlaZZ1ePQsK2_xMzcneGNXu_g_pVp-7qQKk-e3dJdF3lbd/s1600/482027e83198f6db9a4856c40e3f4ab4--game-star-wars-tabletop-games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziV5CbLI3SCA6u5r7adlBBj3nUZ-W3kFw1Ar15QmCOccBOvBW5SOfhf4UKgzvmPTglO2aNEH6P4QhKRVvCL4vxQH7vdr7EsvlaZZ1ePQsK2_xMzcneGNXu_g_pVp-7qQKk-e3dJdF3lbd/s320/482027e83198f6db9a4856c40e3f4ab4--game-star-wars-tabletop-games.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaking of old miniatures games... (<i>image: Pinterest, uploader unknown</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But time has passed and VSGMR is a little out of date, especially given the growth of simplified miniatures games like <a href="https://onepagerules.com/">One Page Rules</a> and Games Workshop's own "<a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Rulesheets/warhammer-aos-rules-en.pdf">Age of Sigmar</a>" (much, much easier to get into than the older versions of "Warhammer"). There's room for plenty of games in the world, and so I will be bringing VSGMR back. I revitalized my own <a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/unbelievably-simple-roleplaying/">Domino Writing-style USR</a> roleplaying game with an ongoing series here on this blog, and I'll be doing the same with VSGMR.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First, it needs an update, if only to actually keep to the "Very Simple" part of its name. Every gamer knows how easy it is to keep adding rules to a game, and looking through the most recent version of 2013 I see rules for buildings, for special abilities, for using a sheet of paper to make measurements, and on and on. I'll be streamlining the game, with the basic rules in one place, then some official expansions after that. "Very Simple" needs to mean very simple.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here's the core rules: </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Use any figures you have, any size. Their equipment and abilities are whatever you say they are.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Roll 1 die (a d6) per figure, on a 4 or better (sometimes higher) it's a success.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That's it! Look for the revised rules soon. If you have any suggestions for the revised version, let me know.</span>Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-50335760229615332132017-08-23T21:48:00.001-04:002017-09-13T20:34:15.851-04:00USR Wednesdays: Chases<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Two weeks ago, we looked at vehicle
rules — vehicles as narration, as equipment and as characters. One
of the most common uses for vehicles in adventure fiction is in a
chase, where one vehicle (the pursuer) is trying to catch up with
another (the target), to make an arrest, to get in a shootout, or
just to beat the target to the final goal.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmghLQ3RDvlxLcJpxnx7E0cm6evkQbTtS2z0UGrWWhjpUq_GkXznwjqd_tQmOGu3_JCGSSakzM6AxOJPVOyYoKNWz1qjBwvbuO1FQgx9pGY0EvuQRfR5jduwNMTpQiTNMz6gX2NT6b3Q9L/s1600/stuntman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmghLQ3RDvlxLcJpxnx7E0cm6evkQbTtS2z0UGrWWhjpUq_GkXznwjqd_tQmOGu3_JCGSSakzM6AxOJPVOyYoKNWz1qjBwvbuO1FQgx9pGY0EvuQRfR5jduwNMTpQiTNMz6gX2NT6b3Q9L/s320/stuntman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or to make a cool getaway. (<i>image: clockworkmanual.com</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let’s take a page from the chase
rules developed for the 3rd Edition d20 game system and track a chase
in Domino Writing-style USR. In addition to the regular rules, you’ll
need a piece of paper and a pencil. Draw a line and put a series of
evenly spaced marks across the paper, about every inch or so. Put the
pursuer at the first mark on the left (write “P” or use a
miniature) and the target two marks farther along the paper (write “T”
or use a miniature for it too), so there’s a mark in between them.
The two vehicles will move across the line from mark to mark until
they reach their goal — usually by going off the other end of the
paper, or landing on the same mark.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8lDWVwG9mctHh0YIpTqf97J10cyAWBL6ryory3QYp7ndFLDXsJFQspRjQ1_JUkowvssfcf0e8vWfxtP0XQJWHg8K9urECQDVlXud6Z7LfEIlx9sc6nqKHSHK_bwT_wTD67pLNE2mu3so/s1600/IMG_3981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8lDWVwG9mctHh0YIpTqf97J10cyAWBL6ryory3QYp7ndFLDXsJFQspRjQ1_JUkowvssfcf0e8vWfxtP0XQJWHg8K9urECQDVlXud6Z7LfEIlx9sc6nqKHSHK_bwT_wTD67pLNE2mu3so/s400/IMG_3981.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this, with a "P" and a "T." Same idea as the picture above, but a lot less interesting, at least on paper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Decide if the heroes are the pursuer or
the target. Choose a target number based on the difficulty of the
terrain (empty space is a 2, a crowded city street is a 7, lava
flowing around you is a 10). Have the player acting as driver or
pilot make a roll to control the vehicle (usually Action + relevant
vehicle Specialism), and have NPCs who are pursuing or who are the
target make the same roll.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If one group (heroes and/or NPCs)
succeed at the roll, move them forward one mark. If the roll fails,
the group doesn’t move.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The character who is driver or pilot is
usually using his or her turn to control the vehicle, but everyone
else in the party who’s in the vehicle can take a normal action,
like firing the vehicle’s weapons or shooting their own guns out a
window. In a game with more detailed vehicle rules, a character might
spend their turn trying to repair the vehicle, or perform a scan for
more enemies. If nothing else, a character can spend its turn
offering support, providing a +1 to an attack roll or the driver or
pilot’s control roll.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>What do you do to
visualize chases on the tabletop?</i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-8644107469659289692017-08-09T20:54:00.002-04:002017-09-13T20:34:36.665-04:00USR Wednesdays: Vehicles<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cars, trucks, tanks, spaceships, pirate
sloops... there are dozens of kinds of vehicles in adventure fiction,
and given their size and their power, it may be a challenge to see
where vehicles actually fit in a role playing game setting. Here are
three ways of looking at vehicles in your Domino Writing-style USR
game.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. <b>Vehicles as narration</b>: In most
settings, a vehicle is just a means to an end, a way to get from one
place to another. In a modern-day action story, the characters drive
fast cars or ride in helicopters, but only because it gets them
across the city quickly, and to the next story point. There’s no
game rules when using a vehicle as narration; you can just say, “The
heroes hop in their cars and get to the police station,” or even
“The heroes get on horseback and arrive at the entrance to the
dungeon in about an hour.” It doesn’t matter how fast they’re
traveling, or what happens on the trip, only that they are traveling.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. <b>Vehicles as equipment</b>: The
flexibility of Specialisms in USR means it’s easy to make a vehicle
a piece of gear, just like a weapon or a special tool. Some
characters who are closely linked to their vehicles might include the
vehicle as one of their Specialisms (for example, Han Solo with his
Millennium Falcon +2, or Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl +2). A game
master could provide a vehicle as equipment if it’s going to be
integral to the story, and more than just narration; for example, the
Enterprise could be a +2 Specialism to everyone on the “Star Trek”
crew. It wouldn’t be a Specialism just for Kirk or Picard, because
all of the heroes in the adventure make use of the Enterprise — as
a weapon, as a research station, as a place of healing, and so on. Of
course, Han Solo and Jack Sparrow have plenty of adventures not on
board their ships, but no one else in their stories is so connected
to those ships as they are.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVH6QKRGXVndnQUMFV4sunmLzwvyKHcAdo1EuVFl6dV5VfLFer_r1351r_7ua8EbA1W3ShVIikhyMGVDeaf0Ksiq6xPasY2UkyJmJYttEXNN8BrGU3I42NEFFuL-OVxNYq1UYpAAJuaKr/s1600/Millenium_falcon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="495" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVH6QKRGXVndnQUMFV4sunmLzwvyKHcAdo1EuVFl6dV5VfLFer_r1351r_7ua8EbA1W3ShVIikhyMGVDeaf0Ksiq6xPasY2UkyJmJYttEXNN8BrGU3I42NEFFuL-OVxNYq1UYpAAJuaKr/s320/Millenium_falcon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There it is, the classic starship the "+2." I mean Millennium Falcon. (<i>image: wookiepedia.com</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Like weapons and armor, vehicles can be
classified as “light” +1, “medium” +2 or “heavy” +3. A +1
vehicle could be a motorcycle or a horse, while a +2 would be a car
or space fighter (an X-Wing or Viper), and a +3 vehicle could be
something massive, like a semi-truck, a tank or the Enterprise
itself.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Also like weapons or armor, you don’t
need a separate Specialism for Pilot, Driver or Vehicle Gunner,
unless that’s really a core element of a character. The vehicle
Specialism includes its flying and shooting capabilities.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Specialism would be used in any
situation the vehicle could provide help — winning a race, carrying
a heavy load, or firing its on-board weapons. If the vehicle is
seriously damaged, it ceases to be a usable Specialism, until it’s
repaired.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. <b>Vehicles as characters</b>: Some
settings are all about their vehicles: Mad Max, Mobile Suit Gundam,
even Transformers. In those settings, the single bonus a Specialism
provides doesn’t really offer enough to accurately represent the
vehicle. So you can add more statistics to a vehicle, like top speed,
armament, and maneuverability. Rules for that are in Somnium Void,
starting on page 23.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We’re taking a week off from USR
Wednesdays next week, but we’ll be back after that for a look at
more genres.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">How do you use vehicles
in your game?</span></i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-91396180592562415052017-08-02T22:14:00.000-04:002017-09-20T10:41:47.539-04:00USR Wednesdays: Settings<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
By my count, USR has led to more than a
dozen separate games, many found on RPGnow or on the creator’s own
website. Here’s the list I have:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Anthropomorphic by Jay Murphy (animal
people)</li>
<li>Beyond Fear by Scott Malthouse (cosmic
horror/Cthulhu)</li>
<li>Blood And Silk by Shenron (samurai)</li>
<li>Ghostbusters by Shenron (um...
Ghostbusters)</li>
<li>Go Wherever by Scott Malthouse
(stonepunk among other ideas)</li>
<li>Halberd by Scott Malthouse (fantasy)</li>
<li>Halcyon Fantasy by Scott Malthouse (old
school fantasy)</li>
<li>It Came From VHS! by Scott Malthouse
(80s action)</li>
<li>Masquerade of the Sundered Sky by Scott
Malthouse (gothic horror)</li>
<li>Sominum Void by Scott Malthouse (space
opera)</li>
<li>Swarm Of Barbarians by Peter Segreti
(Ancient Rome)</li>
<li>Tequendria by Scott Malthouse (Dunsany
fantasy)</li>
<li>Fear & Loathing by Jay Murphy
(gonzo adventure)</li>
<li>Sword & Sorcery by Jay Murphy
(Conan-style fantasy)</li>
<li>Cyberpunk by Scott Malthouse
(cyberpunk)</li>
<li>Moldvay Era by John Yorio (old school
fantasy)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I also have a Western game that I don’t
have an author credit for, and there’s a character sheet for USR
Traveller farther down the USR Google+ page.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXvZotJqF4A4hHcA_JlAI98EoG8A4EqNAOJV6dDf1159H6Se5lzmBQqek8Bw8Y4aGmHnTghUasElzto4XjHFXjFnAK_hMTog9GMC9PaBiYMpI19L-BPFOWwKA_GPxnBbq2gqz1ndTCjsU/s1600/usagi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXvZotJqF4A4hHcA_JlAI98EoG8A4EqNAOJV6dDf1159H6Se5lzmBQqek8Bw8Y4aGmHnTghUasElzto4XjHFXjFnAK_hMTog9GMC9PaBiYMpI19L-BPFOWwKA_GPxnBbq2gqz1ndTCjsU/s320/usagi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rabbit bodyguards, Drakkar cage fighters, drug-addled journalists... they're all possible with USR.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It’s exciting thinking about all the
opportunities for games that are in these rules sets — combining
them, too, gives us Shadowrun (Cyberpunk plus Halberd) or Usagi
Yojimbo (Blood and Silk plus Anthropomorphic). I wanted to create
this list to have a running total of all the USR rules sets in one
place, and to spark ideas for settings that are “missing.” I’ve
touched on superheroes in my last few blog posts, but haven’t
created a full setting. We have Ghostbusters, but what about Star
Wars (including all the eras of the story)?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope this list is an inspiration to
you to find these games, try them out, and offer your own
contributions to a future edition of the list. I’ll be working on
some settings, too...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>What genre should be developed into a new setting next?</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(image: usagiyojimbo.com)</div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-33186188618786880482017-07-26T23:23:00.002-04:002017-09-13T20:40:15.446-04:00USR Wednesdays: Superheroes part 2: Super-Specialisms and hit points<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specialisms for superheroes can be
powers - which can be used as weapons and armor, unlike most
specialisms – but also personality traits (“billionaire
philanthropist,” “mild-mannered reporter”). Because they’re
so free form, super power Specialisms don’t have particular damage
amounts or limits (for example, how many people are mind-controlled
at one time?). Turn to the comics, animation and movies: if you can
find an example of the power being used in the media, you can use it,
though maybe with the use of a Narrative Point.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Almost every rules-moderate to
rules-heavy superhero RPG (including my own <a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/microlite-20/">Microlite 20 Costumes</a>)
has a catalog of super powers for characters to purchase, and which
count as Specialisms in superhero USR. As with any Specialism,
though, the descriptions that allow for more narration are often more
interesting in play. The Punisher’s Lots Of Guns is kind of boring
as a Specialism, but the Flash’s Runs Fast Enough To Access The
Speed Force is a simple to understand power with a unique twist (lots
of heroes have Super-Speed, but don’t also get access to the Speed
Force). With the Ice Control Specialism, Iceman of the X-Men can fire
ice darts at a villain, but he also creates ice slides to move
quickly, duplicates of himself in ice form, and so much more.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO028X42MnqbeA1-UIqKwhcMCzlx_FS5zkLh-Vwz68hbpX-UcSJqpsPNNHMWxrBYX6mFl9lPrj997vT0wxg8MJ7bOnfsPyDgx7W3Z3PqiJSTxA2bE7aIiAiT0j6OmC0EuneKwG3uw4woLF/s1600/mandrake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO028X42MnqbeA1-UIqKwhcMCzlx_FS5zkLh-Vwz68hbpX-UcSJqpsPNNHMWxrBYX6mFl9lPrj997vT0wxg8MJ7bOnfsPyDgx7W3Z3PqiJSTxA2bE7aIiAiT0j6OmC0EuneKwG3uw4woLF/s320/mandrake.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Specialism of Magician means you can do just about anything in a superhero setting. (Also, you were expecting Dr. Strange or Zatanna, right?) (image: King Features Syndicate)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Another superhero-specific element is
hit points. Heroes can take a beating, and shrug off most ordinary
damage. Boosted Action and Wits stats help represent that, and so
does increasing hit points, to (maximum Action die value + maximum
Wits die value) x2. Alternately, heroes can be delayed in the
hospital, or outright killed, only to return dramatically in the next
adventure.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The superhero card game <a href="https://sentinelsofthemultiverse.com/">Sentinels of the Multiverse</a> keeps defeated characters in the game until the end
with one simple rule. Characters that lose all their hit points can
only take one action on a turn, and it has to be used to help another
hero who is still in the game. It’s described as inspiring the
surviving characters to fight harder. The same concept can be used in
USR, with knocked-out heroes offering a +1 to certain kind of die
rolls, or a once-per-battle reroll to their surviving allies.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>What are your favorite superhero Specialisms?</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-52436746521287134262017-07-20T00:52:00.002-04:002017-09-13T20:36:08.905-04:00USR Wednesdays: Superheroes part 1: TiersThere are some basic superhero rules in Domino Writing-style USR, mostly to emulate "elite" characters, like demigods in a fantasy world, or comic book super characters in a setting where most costumed heroes are a little more down to earth (think of Batman in Batman or Detective Comics). But with a few alterations, USR works just find for a bigger variety of superheroes (think of Batman in Justice League of America).<br />
There are five tiers of characters in super hero comics:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Non-powered characters</b>, the supporting cast of superhero comics (Mary Jane Watson, Jim Gordon).</li>
<li><b>Street-level heroes</b> without many powers, like the 1930s/1940s pulp heroes (the Shadow, the Phantom) or characters like the Punisher or Luke Cage.</li>
<li><b>Standard superheroes</b>, which range from the low end (Robin, Dazzler) to the "average" hero (Spider-Man, the Flash)</li>
<li><b>High-powered heroes</b>, like Superman and Thor</li>
<li><b>Cosmic entities</b> that have power beyond what a USR character normally would have (Bat-Mite, Silver Surfer).</li>
</ol>
<br />
So, how to show that difference in the USR rules? First, select your basic character tier, then allow everyone at that tier and above to use the superhero rules (stats of d8, d10 and d12, and rolling twice, using highest result).<br />
For each tier above or below the basic tier, award an additional 2 Narrative points.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSa24yF0XV_W2kpsyATNRnKmrphw81Kfd5WPR0ZR-wDhml9VRUz4flX2RDmtejBCEp6M9g6G7M0Ezx_5jM_SnattVqOpDYwjLT6UcTZHQdRXeSqksJFAaxjXuvVSHDmT_yRzytnQ21ldv/s1600/The-Avengers-Movie-Roster-Concept-Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="620" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSa24yF0XV_W2kpsyATNRnKmrphw81Kfd5WPR0ZR-wDhml9VRUz4flX2RDmtejBCEp6M9g6G7M0Ezx_5jM_SnattVqOpDYwjLT6UcTZHQdRXeSqksJFAaxjXuvVSHDmT_yRzytnQ21ldv/s400/The-Avengers-Movie-Roster-Concept-Art.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice variety of heroes: Tier 2, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 3, Tier 4, Tier 2. In the back? Probably Tier 4.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Let's take the Avengers, specifically the movie version that's pretty close to the comics, and is really well-known. They're standard superheroes, so they start with stats of d8, d10 and d12. We've already stated that Thor is high-powered, so he starts with those high stats, and an additional 2 Narrative Points to represent his additional Asgardian awesomeness.<br />
On the other end, Nick Fury fights with the good guys, but he's no match in terms of raw power. We'll make him a street-level hero. His stats are d6, d8 and d10, but he also gets 2 additional Narrative Points to help bring him level with Captain America and the rest.<br />
Next week, we'll look at Specialisms and other elements of the genre you can bring to your USR superhero gaming.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>(image: screenrant.com)</i>Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-78386723967984892872017-07-12T23:32:00.000-04:002017-09-13T20:37:38.894-04:00USR Wednesdays: Miniatures RulesRules light games are known for being played "theater of the mind" style: everything is described by the GM and the players, including the stuff more crunchy rules sets use miniatures and maps for, like combat positioning and movement. Instead of moving a small plastic figure six spaces, then counting another few spaces to make sure your character is in range of a target, you just say, "I'm near the door, can I hit him?"<br />
<br />
But if you're like me, and you want to use all the miniatures and maps and terrain and stuff you use in other games and have spend years collecting — and at the same time you want to play USR — you need another option. So I'm borrowing from my own Microlite 20 rules for USR miniatures rules.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObw7i6j32BcsztcNSMgsbSE_2WRdoCnVYVVaq-vNEy3EIbHaSdgSw_t3dHIuu5HTmXTc0T6Mvmvyoivffp7sFfI25y_NoAuQ16Hsi9E7YdQbsslGG-cgUhdXooq7ARtDI-lN7XLXAdiQs/s1600/IMG_3877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObw7i6j32BcsztcNSMgsbSE_2WRdoCnVYVVaq-vNEy3EIbHaSdgSw_t3dHIuu5HTmXTc0T6Mvmvyoivffp7sFfI25y_NoAuQ16Hsi9E7YdQbsslGG-cgUhdXooq7ARtDI-lN7XLXAdiQs/s320/IMG_3877.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recent game - elves and humans vs wolves and rats standing in for wolves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
If you have miniature figures (about 1 inch or 25 to 28 mm tall) to represent the characters and their enemies, you’ll need a ruler or a battle map covered in spaces (squares, hexes or 1 inch measurements). One space equals 5 feet or 2 yards, and the average human-sized character and monster moves 6 spaces per turn, even diagonally. This is the character’s movement rate.<br />
<br />
Small characters (like halflings or gnomes) move 5 spaces per turn, while characters wearing heavy armor (splint mail, banded mail, half-plate, full plate) move 1 space less each turn. On older-style (i.e. OSR) maps, where one space equals 10 feet, the average character moves 3 spaces per turn.<br />
<br />
Characters can move through the same space as another character or enemy, but cannot end movement in the same space as another figure. Rubble, darkness, heavy growth and other difficult terrain “costs” 2 spaces of movement per space moved by the character. Moving up and down is the same as moving horizontally (a character does not have to “spend” extra movement to climb or fly). Moving just 1 space is considered a “free” action, as long as the character does not move any farther that turn.<br />
<br />
If there’s a question whether a character could see an enemy to hit it, draw an imaginary straight line from the center of the attacker’s space to the center of the target’s space (or one of its spaces, if it takes up more than one space on the map). If there is no major obstacle or enemy in the path, the character can make the attack. Allies of the attacker do not block its path. Characters can attack through windows and other partial obstacles at a -1 penalty to hit.<br />
<br />
To avoid calculating attack ranges each turn, melee attacks must be made against an enemy in a space adjacent to the character. Thrown and short-range weapon attacks can be made against an enemy up to 10 spaces away. Long-range weapon attacks can be made against an enemy up to 25 spaces away.<br />
<br />
There you have it, simple rules for miniatures. I've used them in several games I've written over the years, and they seem to be a good starting point. A character with a high Action stat or Specialisms related to agility and dexterity might move a space faster, and the difficult terrain and obstacles rules could get much, much more detailed (Action rolls to move through terrain? 1/4 cover?).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Do miniatures play a part in your USR games?</i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-43096240212587224772017-07-05T23:41:00.001-04:002017-09-13T20:37:09.695-04:00USR Wednesdays: Social CombatGiven the history of RPGs, finding ways to use the "Action" and "Wits" stats in USR is easy; Action is everything from acrobatics to yo-yo tricks (admittedly, the latter is not a common Specialism...). Wits can handle research and the supernatural, like magic and psionic combat. Ego, or social skills, are less used in role playing. A character may need to roll to intimidate, seduce or seek information listening to rumors. But the number of times Ego is used compared to the other stats means Ego almost shouldn't even be a stat. Let's change that, and give debaters, manipulators and schemers a chance to fight the good fight.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMztqPRe3zMJtoxR-o6k0Olf4k6XF1Po1L4SpzEst0s9inqDSRXaen2UNH4gI6nCMCKCc-7fOaQPAC_24ziT4UvsbTPObUtPa6O7OTPnpimYVa904ygmEKWa-Z7bjJ6I4G0wA8N-rrZe7C/s1600/cersei-lannister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMztqPRe3zMJtoxR-o6k0Olf4k6XF1Po1L4SpzEst0s9inqDSRXaen2UNH4gI6nCMCKCc-7fOaQPAC_24ziT4UvsbTPObUtPa6O7OTPnpimYVa904ygmEKWa-Z7bjJ6I4G0wA8N-rrZe7C/s320/cersei-lannister.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Social combat can be just as interesting when fought by a master. <br />
(image: celebdirtylaundry.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Song of Ice and Fire RPG, and my other game, Microlite 20, have rules for social combat. For ease of use, it's basically like standard combat, except with different Specialisms in play. In fiction, social combat is usually over much quicker than battle, so each character begins with "social hit points" equal to the highest value of his or her Ego stat (i.e. 6, 8 or 10). Each attack and defense uses Specialisms like Bargain, Stir up trouble, Stubborn or Immune to her charms.<br />
<br />
There's no equivalent to weapons or armor, though one Ego roll can affect the next. For example, befriending a powerful political family can help quell (or stir up) a rebellion. Allow players to describe what their characters are saying in the conversation. If it's convincing or inspiring, grant an extra +1 to the roll.<br />
<br />
Make a simple Wits roll as initiative, to represent the planning of meeting times and places that best suit the character's goals. Social combat usually "heals" immediately after the combat ends. Just like standard combat, a character that loses all of his or her social hit points is defeated, but this doesn't have to mean death or unconsciousness. Instead, political foes can be humiliated, and enemies can be outwitted (it's much easier to trick an ogre than to try and cut it to pieces). Adventures can be just as exciting, and a lot less hazardous to life and limb.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What are the best Specialisms for exciting social combat?</i></div>
<br />Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-67325005300833307482017-06-28T23:52:00.003-04:002017-09-13T20:38:28.035-04:00USR Wednesdays: Creating SpecialismsOne of the keys to USR's streamlined system is its use of Specialisms (another is the simple dice mechanic). It's the same concept as found in a lot of rules light RPGs, like the <a href="http://risusiverse.wikifoundry.com/page/A+Cliche+Gallery">cliches of Risus</a>, the <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/121604/Cartoon-Action-Hour-Season-3-rulebook?">qualities of Cartoon Action Hour</a> and the <a href="https://fate-srd.com/fate-core/making-good-aspect">aspects of Fate</a>. Specialisms represent skills, supernatural powers, personality traits and occasionally gear and character types, though in USR, races and classes are more often archetypes (as they are in <a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/unbelievably-simple-roleplaying/">Domino Writing-style USR</a>).<br />
<br />
What is a Specialism? As USR 2.0 puts it, "Specialisms are the things that make your character stand out from the rest. They give your character an edge at a specific task, making them more likely to succeed." They explain what a character can do, or how he or she does it, in a way that's appropriate to the setting.<br />
<br />
<b>What a character can do</b>: Most often, Specialisms are skills, like lock picking, computers or sneaking (or hand-to-hand fighting, if you're using combat Specialisms). It can also stand for special talents, like magic or a super power like eye beams.<br />
<br />
<b>How he or she does it</b>: Specialisms can also be personality traits that not only help define a character's background for role playing purposes, but can also be put to use as abilities. Think of the inspiring leader, the intimidating muscle man, or the even more intimidating loner with a creepy smile.<br />
<br />
<b>Appropriate to the setting</b>: Since so much of rules light RPGs like USR rely on tropes and stereotypes familiar to fantasy and science fiction fans, most players probably start the game with a general idea of what fits the setting. But it's easy to be too broad: a sorcerer may not be specific enough; try a fire wizard or an illusionist instead. Likewise, think about Specialisms that won't be available all the time: a wise mentor is a great support for a hero — but Obi-Wan and Merlin aren't supposed to be part of every adventure, they're only supposed to lend a helping hand now and again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBJl3k4bitaQkIL6V5Xrj8UtaA0lyDaRyuSDCekaq3cYMwoY8D3Qv9KdhaoX9OH2K7UhCP7iWtQTD5F15iduXmIswFseSu2rTfZ8UQBCuugyFLpmog4PSz40we6W_YgDbxqyBRWgTPC2q/s1600/juggling-balancing-1-1428423-640x960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBJl3k4bitaQkIL6V5Xrj8UtaA0lyDaRyuSDCekaq3cYMwoY8D3Qv9KdhaoX9OH2K7UhCP7iWtQTD5F15iduXmIswFseSu2rTfZ8UQBCuugyFLpmog4PSz40we6W_YgDbxqyBRWgTPC2q/s320/juggling-balancing-1-1428423-640x960.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can your character do this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Characters that gain levels in USR can either gain new Specialisms or improve their existing ones. In a classic adventuring party, each character has a role (healer, tank, etc.), so improving the existing Specialisms is more fitting. Adding a new Specialism should show how the character has made a major life change — finding a powerful magical item, taking on a whole new set of responsibilities, and so on.<br />
<br />
Specialisms and similar characteristics are one of the defining elements of a rules light RPG: the game isn't "weighed down" by pages and pages of skills and abilities! But it can be hard to figure out just what Specialisms really are without a guideline, one like this:<br />
<br />
Specialisms are what a character can do, or how he or she does it, in a way that's appropriate to the setting.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What Specialisms does your game have?</i></div>
<br />
<br />
(image: Guillaume Riesen)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-22175249364057346702017-06-07T22:52:00.001-04:002017-09-13T20:38:48.400-04:00USR: Archetypes: Modern-Day Heroes<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
Last time we
looked at the classic fantasy races and classes. Now let’s move
into modern-day action and adventure settings. Everyone’s human
(usually), but the range of skills heroes need to succeed is bigger.
These archetypes cover a lot of ground; a sneak, for example, can
represent a James Bond-style spy, a Jason Bourne-style secret agent,
or even a Jake Gittes-style private eye.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe_EgTYr6unjaZTPAMwFidCocmyCCl85yrFbIUJvnZQw83MvNN4J-uJFB8U74QiILXTppmoERKWcak9AE7nazdF242UjcgUhyTIdImg_A7w_EkuciYB6TiRPh5MesP2dh41-D9696bAkv/s1600/fbi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe_EgTYr6unjaZTPAMwFidCocmyCCl85yrFbIUJvnZQw83MvNN4J-uJFB8U74QiILXTppmoERKWcak9AE7nazdF242UjcgUhyTIdImg_A7w_EkuciYB6TiRPh5MesP2dh41-D9696bAkv/s320/fbi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or these dudes. (image: YouTube)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Diplomat</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Ego</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Charm,
Negotiate, Language, Leadership, Etiquette</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: none</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Entertainer</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Ego</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Art (music,
oratory, writing, etc.), Charisma, Athletics, Hundreds (Possibly
Millions) Of Fans, Target Of Paparazzi</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Musical
instrument</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gadgeteer</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Wits</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Repair, Invent,
Hacking, Works Best Alone, Focused On The Task At Hand</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment:
Miscellaneous Gadgets, Tools</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pilot</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Action</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Driving, Flying,
Repair, Adrenaline Junkie, Team Player</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Vehicle
(if there’s more than one character with a vehicle in the party,
maybe they have one big vehicle, like a space cruiser)</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Researcher</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Wits</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Knowledge (in
one topic), Dedication, Bravery, Support Of A University or a
Military Organization</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment:
Computer, Library Of Books</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sneak</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Action</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Move Silently,
Sleight Of Hand, Hacking, Disguise, Hide, Spot Clues</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Lock
Pick (possibly an electronic one)</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Soldier</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Action</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Endurance,
Intimidate, Leadership, Toughness, Military Tactics</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Guns,
Knives</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Which archetypes are
best for the modern world?</i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-34901556950371567172017-06-01T14:05:00.002-04:002017-09-13T20:39:17.408-04:00USR: Archetypes - Meet the Big Four<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In USR, concepts like class and race
are found in the form of archetypes, suggestions for ways to simulate
character types long-time roleplayers are familiar with. In Halberd,
the predecessor to Tequindria, a lot of the classic fantasy
archetypes made an appearance. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Archetypes aren’t a requirement, just a tool to help you visualize your character better. Every USR setting will probably have its own archetypes (Tequindra does). They’re a good way to get a feel for the kind of characters that would appear in that setting, even if your character stands out as someone different. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrD2WN4uP8cLdao_uX67ShvRD73f9w6kApxEuW6WrhPF2VZvdx5Buhm2WYxXz8gpDqfI3h3KUzfZzjygm9Rc9sD5Zl9VRdMG2P1GEXWRSjp_0bj5rQ7Zb_jwQtQfRgc0N0CUIfZfSxhho/s1600/elves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="350" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrD2WN4uP8cLdao_uX67ShvRD73f9w6kApxEuW6WrhPF2VZvdx5Buhm2WYxXz8gpDqfI3h3KUzfZzjygm9Rc9sD5Zl9VRdMG2P1GEXWRSjp_0bj5rQ7Zb_jwQtQfRgc0N0CUIfZfSxhho/s320/elves.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archetypes for elves, wizards and fighters can be found below.<br />
Source: Wizards of the Coast originally, I think.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since I’m using my <a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/unbelievably-simple-roleplaying/">Domino Writing-style version of USR</a>, I’m going to make a few changes to
better fit my version of the game. Here’s how they break down:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Primary Stat</b>: This is the stat (Action,
Wits, Ego) that should be assigned the d10, or d12 if using superhero
rules. It’s not a requirement, but emphasizing that stat is the
quickest way to simulate most familiar character types. That said, a
really buff wizard (with a d10 in Action) would be a unique take on
the spellcaster! Some archetypes have a primary stat of “Any” —
the archetype doesn’t call for any specific stat to be favored.
Just take your pick, like in the normal rules.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Suggested Specialisms</b>: Several common
skills, abilities or powers characters of the archetype usually have.
You don’t have to take all three, or even any, of your specialisms
from this list, but it’s a good starting point. In Domino
Writing-style USR, a character’s combat skills are represented with
their gear, so combat specialisms won’t be common. For example, an
archer will have a Bow weapon rather than a Ranged Attack or Archery
specialism. Also, Domino Writing-style USR doesn’t assign
Specialisms to stats; you’ll have to do that yourself. I just
represented supernatural powers as a Specialism, since USR has
several different magic systems, which are worth looking at in
another blog post.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Suggested Equipment</b>: This includes
weapons and armor, though you’ll have to decide on their value
(Light/Medium/Heavy), depending on how you picture your character,
and how many Combat Gear points you have available. It also includes
signature tools of the trade, such as a spellbook or thief’s tools.
It doesn’t include money; assume your character has enough “pocket
change” or credit for any ordinary purchase, unless the GM says
something different, of course. It also doesn’t include everything
a character would be carrying (ordinary clothes, a bedroll, etc.),
just the stuff that makes the character a hero.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here’s a few examples, the classic
“Big 4” races and classes, with a lot borrowed from Halberd.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dwarf</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Action</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Mining, Brewing,
Tough, Leadership, Appraise Valuables, Forge Weapons and Armor</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Battle Axe or War
Hammer, Armor, Repair Tools, Mug of Ale</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Elf</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Wits</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Woods Lore,
Magic Knowledge, Aloof, Move Silently, Alluring</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Long Bow, Cloak of
Invisibility</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Human</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Any</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Blacksmithing,
Inventing, Leadership, Persuasion, Trying New Things, Sailing,
Riding, Driving</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: none</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Halfling</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Ego</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Sneak, Hide,
Charm, Bargain, Singing</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Short Sword, Food</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cleric</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Wits</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Healing,
Religion, Nature, Charisma, Inspiration</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Holy Symbol, Mace,
Armor</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fighter</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Action</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Athletics,
Strong, Military Tactics, Leadership, Intimidation, Riding</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Sword, Shield,
Armor, Dagger, Crossbow</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rogue</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Action</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Sneak, Climb,
Escape, Disarm Trap, Pick Lock, Disguise, Charming</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Dagger, Thief’s
Tools, Poison Vial</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wizard
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Primary Stat: Wits</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Specialisms: Spell-casting,
Identify Magic Item, Monster Lore, History, Create Magical Item,
Research</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Suggested Equipment: Staff, Spellbook,
Dagger</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is a starting point; there will be
more archetypes to come, as we build up the range of settings
available for USR.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Which archetypes have you
created?</i></div>
Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360803133068543375.post-74991350377988380022017-05-26T13:13:00.003-04:002017-05-26T13:13:47.098-04:00New GamesAs promised, I've updated a few of my older games, albeit with not a lot of playtesting. So, if you play them, let me know how they work. They're on <a href="http://dominowriting.com/tabletop-gaming-3/other-games/">my website</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Monsters Menace Monopoly</b>: This takes the traditional game and adds giant monsters and hordes. Send your giant lizard and your ninja clan to conquer St. James Place and the Water Works. I'll update the abilities of player tokens as Hasbro updates the pieces that Monopoly comes with. The goal was to create a game using a minimum of outside material that was a lot more fun than actual Monopoly. Paper money is a pain to keep track of, and all those little plastic houses and hotels just demand that someone wander through and crush them.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Plastic Attack</b>: I walk past the action figure sections in the toy store and FLGS; what's the point, any figure you buy just sits there. Miniatures can at least be used in gaming. I do have rules for different sizes of figure in my Very Simple Generic Miniatures Game document. But Plastic Attack is quicker, more of a convention game. Plus, the figures don't even have to be the same scale — it really is about as all-encompassing as a game can be.Domino Writinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01460077874043823789noreply@blogger.com0