Hi, long time lurker, infrequent poster.
I originally read 4th edition back when it came out, and didn't care for it. So I just ran my old game. (I call it version 2.75. A mish mash of all 4) But now I am going to be running a game of 4th edition due to those being the books that are available. In typical “me” fashion I am running my own variant. So I went back and started rereading the 4ed book. But this time I am sorting out what things I really don't like and what are just me being an old fuddy duddy who fears change. http://forums.dumpshock.com/style_images/g...icons/icon9.gif
So I have been going over it for about a few weeks, and realized that it's got a lot of....gaps(?) in it. It was then pointed out that I should get the 20th anniversary edition. So I did and I admit the formatting is MUCH better. Great art too. But I have been working on this and think I have narrowed it down to a few key things that bothered me while keeping most of 4th edition intact. Basically, when in doubt, keep the rules as written. Even if every concession I make feels like I am dragging sandpaper over my molars.
I have really focused it down to 2 things that are REAL concerns. The rest is me just being old. But one of them is a dozy. What both me and my players want again are dice pools. You know, the choice you make between being accurate or safe. Or do you split the difference and try a little of both. So a combat pool, magic pool, driving pool(?) and hacking pool((??)maybe, more later).
So, still reading the book. And I have decided on two changes to the game, mechanics wise. One is making magic traditions have a larger variety between them. The other unfortunately is a big one. A change to the fundamental dice roll.
I just don't enjoy the rolling skill + attribute thing. It was the one thing I really disliked about the WoD games. Too often people who want to improve a skill would realize that it was cheaper and easier to increase the attribute. I like skills to be what you know and attributes to be who a character is. So I am changing the dice rolling from skill + attribute back to just skill with variable target number. Kind of necessary for old style dice pools. Also changing the target number has a bigger effect on your rolls then changing the number of dice. I figure that between that and a default target number for skills that need hits will work. I'm thinking a target of 4 so that you can still use those skills that don't get the benefit of a pool.
But, on with the questions. I have a few about 4th edition that I hope people can answer for me.
One is about initiative. In my version I still run with 1st edition rules. I like the fact that people who went all wired up can sometimes clean a room out before some realize what is going on. I understand who this is a little unfair, but diving for cover is always a free action. But I am willing to go with 4th rules on this. But my impression is that wiring up doesn’t give much of a chance to go first. Is my impression accurate?
The other thing is it seems that some players might not enjoy having the faster people getting all those free shots on them after they have taking all there actions. Aka, we all shoot then the samurai gets 3 more shots on us while we sit and watch. I realize that isn’t much different then having super-soldier go first, but at least they can anticipate doing something next. But I haven’t played it yet. So I could dead wrong. Is this something you have encountered in your games?
The other question is about damage. Without damage codes (light, medium, serious and deadly) do you find weapons to be lethal? In as such can you shoot an unarmored opponent with a Predator and be reasonably certain that they will be killed? I notice it has a DV of 5 and most people can take 10 “points” of damage on average. Do people often stage the damage up to 10? Same follow up question regarding Manabolt?
That will do for now. Thank you in advance for any answers. If anyone is interested I would be happy to post my house rules here for perusal. I might anyway so people can pick it apart and find the problems for me. http://forums.dumpshock.com/style_images/g...icons/icon6.gif Still going though the book page by page. Will say I LOVE the art.