tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170674472098446028.post420179580492342309..comments2024-03-27T03:18:19.290-04:00Comments on Aeons & Augauries: Ability ScoresJDJarvishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691101939920824546noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170674472098446028.post-12883269453482605742014-07-30T17:04:34.699-04:002014-07-30T17:04:34.699-04:00After playing World of Darkness for an extended pe...After playing World of Darkness for an extended period of time I went to using nine ability scores. They reflect the use of power, finesse, and resistance when it is applied to physical, mental, and social situations. Strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wits, resolve, presence, manipulation, and composure.<br /><br />I've also been playing Wildstar on-and-off and they attributes but change the names to brutality, finesse, grit, insight, tech, and moxie. Like most videogames though, it basically uses all the ability scores to modify combat and there isn't any consideration to how the scores would apply to other systems.<br />Roy Tonerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683624102858672802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170674472098446028.post-90813431893657682232014-07-28T22:31:48.950-04:002014-07-28T22:31:48.950-04:00I dispensed with rolling ability scores all togeth...I dispensed with rolling ability scores all together...<br />adds minimal to character creation and SLOWS the process tremendously <br />...<br />Still use the six basic abilities for every character; strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom & charisma. <br /> Assign each ability score one of these six values; 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 & 17; no duplicates allowed, and place as desired. <br /> Next, select your character’s race as non-human races (Table 1.3.p.2) have modifiers to specific ability scores.<br /> Finally, declare your character class and create an appropriate name.Clovis Cithoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18208194219083373456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170674472098446028.post-42575309279887618892014-07-28T18:46:42.701-04:002014-07-28T18:46:42.701-04:00No ability scores at all. That would make things e...<b>No ability scores at all.</b> That would make things easier, but at the same time, players have became spoiled to Ability scores. They help make characters feel more unique by having different strengths and weaknesses, and mechanically, without them, the characters of the same type would feel the same.<br /><br /><b>Ability scores as modifiers.</b> I have seen this used in so many systems, like Barbarians of Lemuria and Silhouette (just to name a few), and that is a great Idea. To me, ability scores only have two purposes: 1.) To give comparative value when in competition, like engaging in arm-wrestling to test Strength, or to see who draws a gun first by comparing Dexterity (despite that such tasks can be handled with Ability mods, and monsters in classic D&D games generally lack ability scores). 2.) To derive a random value by dice roll, with bias towards an average score (in which case, scores are irreverent). Although, the scores can be used as Target Numbers with Ability Tests and Non-Weapon Proficiency Rolls, or can be used as a value if you can use EXP to raise Ability scores (the only reason why I have not dropped Ability scores altogether in my Mutant Future games).<br /><br /><b>Changing the Names of ability Scores.</b> The default names are nice for generic game use, but changing their names is a great idea if you are playing in different settings or genre, and you want the mechanics to highlight it. Imagine a pulp game with Abilities that sound like old terms, like Brawn, Smarts, Moxie, etc. Or a Sci-Fi with more tactical terms like Physical Coordination, Social Aptitude, Psyche, etc.<br /><br /><b>Additional ability scores.</b> It reminds me of Star Frontiers, were they have four core Attributes that you roll fore, and then split into pairs. e.g. You roll for for your physical strength, which determines your Strength and Stamina scores (with a +/-5 adjustment that you can apply to both). Alternatively, I seen people splinting Wisdom into Perception/Intuition and Willpower, to make Wisdom feel less like a miscellaneous stat. There is an upper limit on the number of abilities you might want to give characters, until it becomes cumbersome like in Fantasy Wargames (which uses all six D&D stats, plus six more to note self-control, like Greed, Lust, Bravery, etc.) or F.A.T.A.L. (the less said the better!).<br /><br /><b>Fewer ability scores.</b> Now that reminds me of Tri-Stat: Body, Mind and Soul. (Although, I like the sound of Mind, Body and Spirit.) Three little stats that can cover a wide range of ability. Or if you really want to dumb down World of Darkness, just use Physical, Mental and Social as standalone scores.<br /><br />That was a great read! I always like reading different takes on Abilities/Attributes.Malcadonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03111796978336546944noreply@blogger.com