Skills, I used to drive cars... Options

[Xenith]

I conceed that particular point. Strength + net hits with body as a "threshold"... holy crap...

And then... the stun damage equal to strength option... I think that just made me happy inside. :grinbig:

[Eagle]

I love the new system, because while it says that certain skill are linked to certain attributes, you can as a GM ask for different combinations. Something go wrong in climb, make a reaction + climb to grab a ledge before you fall.

It works more like the original WoD, which was great for simple gaming. I'm just hoping that in the long term SR4 doesn't fall down in the same way which is that it became an optimisation game, no point in pushing up certain skills beyond a set point as you'll always hit at the level and no differentation at the top skill levels.

Ever played with a character who wanted to be a world class sprinter and have the skills to back it up. How do you decide who wins the race? Especially when luck comes into the equation, while in the real world, the runner's winning order tends to be pretty consistent over several races. I guess I can't do that with SR4 or most systems for that matter

[Dogsoup]

'A' and 'D'.

[DragginSPADE]

[Azralon]

[Shinobi Killfist]

[blakkie]

[Crusher Bob]

Actually, as a white meat, elves tolerate overcooking quite well. Of course, with the high fat content of most metahuman flesh, you are better off grilling or broiling to help drain some of that fat off. Of course, you then risk overcooking... Of course, most wild metahumans have so many toxins in their bodies as to not be worth the effort. Growing your own free-range metahumans in a controlled environment produces the best results. Or you could just grow them in a vat, like most other food...

[Feshy]

[Shadow_Prophet]

[Fortune]

[Synner667]

Well, considering how much of the Aeon mechanics seems to be used in SR4, I'd prefer to use their skill system.


Really, any GM worth his mettle can re-write the rules/skills/system to reflect his own thoughts - that's the realm of "House Rules".

I did lots of that with SR3 [which I thought looked pretty, but was a waste of effort as a Rules edition] and will probably do that a lot with SR4 [as/if/when my Deluxe Edition gets to me - mmmm].

Peter

[cx2]

Okay, regarding agility...

I'm going to be making references to visual things, if you've read the thread where I mention I'm blind these are things before my sight loss... not all that long ago really...

For sword fights you said you were a "sword and board man". I assume this means shield. First, you admit speed matters - that comes under agility. There's no argument that games like cricket or rounders (Americanised version = baseball) need good coordination to hit the ball. This doesn't necessarily need finesse, you just have to get the bat in the right place at the right time (hard enough in itself). Now imagine that the bat is a sword, and the ball is the opponent (for attack) or the enemy's sword (for parrying). Coordination and speed? Very much linked, poor coordination means you don't get the sword in the right place or get it there at the wrong time.

Secondly I remember seeing reenacters fighting with sword and shield, most of the blocking is done with shield right? I also had the fortune to see two guys fighting at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds in the style of the average man at the time of Shakespeare, sword in right hand and dagger in the left. I was startled how much faster it went without the big shield getting in the way, daggers blocked swings and swords made attacks. It was all I could do to keep up with the action, and this was with full sight. This isn't quite like fights in Shadowrun with swords, but is closer than having a big blocky shield on one arm. The critical thing there was to keep the speed and momentum up, this being represented by agility.

As for climbing, we're talking about scaling protective walls here. Smaller than even the smallest indoor wall I'd guess, most of the time. Imagine that agility represents sense of balance here, more important because there will be fewer (and lesser quality) hand holds in a wall for protection than even a natural cliff. Strength is important I would agree, but as long as you can haul your own weight it's more important that you don't fall back down.

Just a couple of practical suggestions. I think leaving strength mostly for damage is sensible since it gives it a clear and defined role, with agility being needed for many physical tasks.

I also think willpower for survival is very fitting, and body for parachuting is interesting... Maybe represents your body's ability to sustain the G forces involved? Maybe the chute deployment is automatic based on altitude in 2070, and you just have to make sure you don't have a heart attack, pass out from the Gs...? (or something a little unpleasant in the trouser department? grin)

[Xenith]

Interestingly enough, I've also found some slight paralells in the SR4 rules rework from SR3 and the rules set up in Alternity. Odd that Alternity has such a bad rep in many places... I'm rather fond of it. :)

[Tzeentch]

SR4 is the new World of Darkness rules using d6 instead of d10 and more resisted rolls. It's uncanny how many mechanics are identical (even phrased in the same manner). Too bad they didn't also utilize the idea of Power, Finesse, and Resistance spread of attributes. :(

That said, I think the SR4 system is a bit more "gearhead" and open to tinkering. :)

[Shadow_Prophet]

[Xenith]

I have the PHB for alternity, I got lucky and found it in a half price book store. I've read many of the other books as well after I looked at it. Its a nice Sci-Fi system... which you could technically use for any sort of setting and work rather well. It seems to mix many different bits of various sci-fi movies you've seen over the years with a seemingly more realistic touch.

[Shadow_Prophet]

[Xenith]

And, indeed, the only problem is finding players for it. Then again... I seem to be at a disadvantage being in Wichita, Kansas. :)