Ziggurat Zagger
Posts: 5832
Joined: Thursday, 10th February 2011, 18:30
Proposal: allow for a customizable Species
Given that there is really no "true" difference between backgrounds (beyond starting equipment), this proposal allows for things to get more complicated by allowing a generated (or user-designed) species.
When a Species is designed, taking "humans" as the base template, attempts are made to "balance" a new species against that template.
You can have flight? You have -1 on three spell skills.
You have Axes and Maces at +2? Reduce Evocations and Invocations 1 each.
You can develop random game-changing mutations at level 7? -1 on all skills.
Your HP is +2? -1 on MP, Dodging and Traps.
You get +3 Traps? Take -1 on Short Blades or Poison Magic.
You're a small or large species? You get +8 Skill adjustments to distribute as compensation.
Your inherent mutations force you to Wear Barding? Gain +2 Ranged Weapon Skills points.
Obviously my build-craft is completely "off" here, but that's where the next part comes in. Somewhere, an arbitrary balance was decided on to design the species (having eyeballed these, there is obviously not a set tit-for-tat character design structure), and that can be adjusted to work to the advantage. Granted, some species are easier to use by default and break the mold (Lava Orcs), even considering the penalties they've been given (slow initial speed, poor spellcasting skill, etc.) don't outweigh the benefits, and vice-versa (insert a bad species here; I'm sure minmay will suggest one).
Using humans as the baseline (because what else do we have?), the first step in this process would be to take the existing species and deconstruct them, determining what
"costs" were used where to compensate for abilities. Skills are obviously not of equal value. Some skills (Fighting, Armour, Fire Magic, Charms (but only because of Haste/Swiftness?)) are less situational / more valuable than others (Evocations, Traps), and their skill cost might be less. In fact, this might be the time to set the Evocations baseline back to 0 (everyone received +1 Evo last version to enhance Evo; instead set +1 to 0 and compensate for the upscale within the game mechanics)
Certain species may have builds which come out to more or less points than expected. As a Human might be considered "STANDARD", these species would be considered EASY or CHALLENGE. Once a points baseline is determined, EASY would have +X additional creation points, STANDARD would have +0 creation points, and CHALLENGE would have -X fewer creation points.
Now you ask, "Well, won't so-and-so break the game this way"? To which I answer, "WHO CARES? REALLY?" The Custom Species (CS, I'd guess) would be something to play to screw around with and have fun.
Let's see if this is a viable idea with potential before I get too invested in it.
Did I make a lame complaint? Check for Bingo!
Totally gracious CSDC Season 2 Division 4 Champeen!