Issues related to designing RPG system mechanics.
5
votes
1answer
60 views
Who should be addressed in an RPG rule text?
When reading RPG rules text, I have noticed that the text sometimes rather inconsistently switches between assuming that the player is doing the reading and that the character is doing the reading.
...
13
votes
7answers
940 views
D&D: How to find out if someone is a spellcaster?
I know that one can use the spell "Detect magic" to find out whether any spells are being cast or active. But is it also possible, using some spell, feat or whatever, to find out whether a person is ...
9
votes
4answers
266 views
What are the best ways to utilize Wisdom and Charisma?
This question primarily refers to a fantasy RPG called "One Step Beyond", published back in 1989. It had five ability scores: Strength, Mental Strength, Will, Agility, Health. These were essentially a ...
9
votes
1answer
201 views
Why does (A)D&D change so much between editions? [closed]
Most systems, as far as I know, stay mostly the same between editions. Yet Dungeons and Dragons has had major changes between almost every edition, with the skill systems, combat abilities/feats, ...
2
votes
4answers
134 views
Handling many modifiers on a probability curve
So I've been working on a 2d20 based system for a side project, and it's playing out as a hybrid of a roleplaying system and a simulation-heavy combat game. This means that the engine has quickly ...
7
votes
2answers
322 views
Creating my own RPG but having a hard time. Need advice
I've been playing tabletop RPGs for 20 years and I finally mustered the courage to create my own RPG.
The problem is that I've gotten very discouraged as of late. I asked my local gaming community ...
8
votes
6answers
2k views
What diceless tabletop RPG techniques are there?
I am interested in using a diceless resolution system for my roleplaying, but am not sure what my options are in that vein. I can think of basically two categories of diceless tabletop role-playing ...
12
votes
4answers
310 views
How would you play test an RPG before all of its rules are complete?
I've been writing my own RPG, mainly to address some of the flaws / frustrations I've come across in other games. Luckily, I've found a few willing participants to help test the rules and mechanics in ...
5
votes
3answers
268 views
Do universal rules systems without any implied setting whatsoever exist?
Is it possible for a system to be universal without implying anything about setting? If it isn't, why?
There are lots of universal systems, but they all seem to have mechanics that pin down ...
2
votes
2answers
105 views
What resources should I use to create a mod for d20 Modern?
This is a tangent off of my question about Looking for a Space marine RPG similar to Starship Troopers (the Novel) where there were some good suggestions about systems to use or modify to meet my ...
6
votes
2answers
117 views
Where could I go to find editing services that specialize in RPGs?
So I have had a time travel themed RPG successfully kickstarted and am entering the stage where I await feedback from the playtesters. In the meantime, I am searching for editing services that ...
0
votes
1answer
93 views
What are some mechanics where players determine the difficulty of performing actions? [closed]
I'm designing an RPG with a central mechanic that allows players to create spells. The mechanic I've developed is very fun in this context: Players are presented with a risk/reward for designing and ...
22
votes
10answers
611 views
How do I balance game interactions between a giant mecha that can level cities and its pilot?
I have had recurring trouble with a subject I like, and would like to implement into my games, but can't find a good way to do so: mechas (big huge robots)
From a system point of view, it is usually ...
12
votes
6answers
566 views
Is the concept of a mutable game system viable?
I've been toying around with some prototypes for game systems, and I'm wondering if "mutable" RPGs (games where the rules of the game are represented and can be interacted with/changed in game) are ...
3
votes
2answers
144 views
Combat - What is the chance of hitting someone on Range? [closed]
I'm designing a game system, and am working on the combat system. I have several questions, and I'm trying to create a system that is as realistic as possible. Sadly I have no experience with guns or ...
3
votes
4answers
289 views
“High on Magic” - how original is it?
I have written a RPG called "Chuť magie" - it's in Czech and it means literary "Taste of Magic", but I'd definitely call it "High on Magic" in English. I'm not planning to translate it to English ...
5
votes
3answers
195 views
How to implement dual-classing in a non-levelled RPG game?
I'm working on an alternate ruleset for a tabletop pen-and-paper RPG (like D&D). Recently I've been toying the idea of abolishing a level system. However, I don't want to remove the ability for a ...
16
votes
10answers
545 views
What would you pick as the “four elements” of mind? [closed]
Good evening! I hope this isn't too vague, this is my first post on RPG Exchange (I see some cool conversations here, I'm happy to be a part).
While doodling about with a magic system I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
How to balance orcs and uruks PCs
As weird as it sounds, I like to play the other side in RPG stories, or at least, design how to play.
In old MERP PCs could be of the Middle Earth evil races (orcs, half-orcs, uruks, trolls, ...
10
votes
3answers
542 views
Common Dice Mechanics [closed]
I'm thinking of doing a study/paper/educational-piece about different dice rolling systems in RPGs and other games. I've played RPGs in the past but it's been years so I wanted to be sure I knew the ...
5
votes
5answers
193 views
Character turn mechanic that is both detailed and handles long actions
We play according to a homemade-ish freeform-ish system. I, as a GM, have a lot of fun with the system as I morph it. And the benefit for the players is that the whole thing is a one-pager.
But we ...
6
votes
3answers
308 views
A system for tactical magic duels with low handling time?
I'm trying to cobble together a solely magic-based campaign that will have a really flexible system of magic. I've always been a fan of the D20 system, but it does have its limitations: for this ...
28
votes
13answers
798 views
What kinds of rules promote good team cohesion?
It seems like a lot of roleplaying games have no problems with players playing antisocial characters who can't really be part of the team. I've been part of groups (in D&D) with both a noble ...
4
votes
2answers
158 views
Are there any game mechanics for handling item condition in detail?
Many sources (ex) point out that a distinct advantage of non-metal armour is that it does not rust in the rain.
Also, "adventurers", carrying all their belongings on their back, pretty often find ...
20
votes
13answers
1k views
What alternatives to hit points are there for abstracting wounds?
I don't like hit points as an abstraction anymore. I'm interested in writing an RPG and I have some ideas for other ways of handling wounds, but I wanted to see what else was out there.
MERP had ...
5
votes
4answers
316 views
What can be done to maintain balance in a magic system in which mages must construct their own spells?
I'd like to build a magic system in which every spell is a one-off. A spell is created to serve a particular purpose and is cast once. I'm thinking that the time and place of the casting would be ...
10
votes
3answers
265 views
How do I make headshot rules interesting?
I'm working on a unified conflict system for a lightweight setting-agnostic RPG ruleset. The beta version is available on my website, although I have changed a lot of rules since that was released. My ...
2
votes
3answers
146 views
What are the essential design features of a combat system that make it scalable from single combat to mass warfare?
My question stems from this post by p.marino, as it raised my curiosity. I do not wish to spend the time and money to acquire and read Silhouette Core. Furthermore, I lack the knowledge of piles of ...
11
votes
10answers
1k views
What are common design flaws of build-point game systems?
I'm designing my own RPG system and I want to avoid the most widely-recognized flaws, loopholes, and exploits that build-point character creation systems usually suffer from.
What are the most common ...
2
votes
5answers
350 views
What 3–4 social skills would cover every need?
I'm building a role-playing system and am just thinking about the social skills.
In D20, you have like appraise, barter, intimidate, gather information, and then the really useful diplomacy, bluff ...
11
votes
4answers
377 views
Is the use of XP as a narrative currency for both GMs and players a novel idea?
In Monte Cook's new roleplaying game Numenera, XP is used as a narrative currency not only by the GM but by the players as well. Taken from his design diaries:
Say the PCs find a hidden console ...
11
votes
2answers
898 views
What didn't Monte Cook like about 4e?
It seems to be an established tenet of the conventional wisdom that Monte Cook does not like Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition.
However, I came late to this party and never read the criticisms Monte ...
23
votes
16answers
1k views
How to design game elements other than combat?
Most RPGs I know about and have played are fighting-centered. That doesn't mean that all gaming is only about fighting, but that most of the rules and character abilities are primarily useful in ...
0
votes
1answer
201 views
Combat and exp/gold reward equations
I have a pen and paper game that I'm creating, but I'm running across issues in keeping the ratios between high and low level players similar in the battle and reward equations. Obviously a higher ...
16
votes
5answers
517 views
Cooperative character building?
I'm aware of games where the players cooperatively build elements of the story world (I hear Dresden Files does this), but are there any where the players cooperatively build their characters?
What ...
10
votes
3answers
400 views
Water and electricity spells - RL physics approach
I like to master (and play) in a world I can believe (even fantastic ones). This question comes from D&D3.5 but applies to every game where reality collides with things you can't (usually) do. So ...
22
votes
4answers
466 views
Why do characters with a high prime requisite gain bonus XP?
In earlier versions of Dungeons & Dragons, a character with a high ability score in their class' prime requisite receives a bonus to all experience he earns. For example, the 1983 Frank Mentzer ...
19
votes
9answers
462 views
What game elements are essential for a playtest?
I'm currently designing a game, and I have most of the elements of the game sorted in my head. I'm in the process of codifying them, and I wanted to know what game elements are essential for a ...
4
votes
3answers
417 views
Which systems use a dice pool *and* highest score mechanic?
I'm trying to design a system with a dice pool mechanic that looks at the highest roll in the pool as well as total number of successes? I want to show the quality of a success and it's extent.
...
7
votes
1answer
298 views
How can I simplify a series of rolls without changing probability too heavily?
Ok, I'm working on a combat system converted from a video game to a tabletop game, and I'd appreciate some feedback on how I can make my combat defense system work. Currently attacking is handled as ...
17
votes
6answers
399 views
What are some examples of games that don't invent history or language?
IE, games that don't make up words or names in languages belonging to the game-verse, but borrow as exactly as possible from history, folklore, etymology, and mythology.
(What is this type of game ...
12
votes
3answers
174 views
What kinds of player contributions work well and under what circumstances?
Introduction
In Amber diceless roleplaying game players get extra points for building their characters by committing to player contributions, such as: Writing a diary, writing game reports, drawing ...
6
votes
4answers
223 views
How can adversarial game mechanics be added to a game?
Some systems have the concept of an adversarial relationship between the game master and the players. These games typically have a series of mechanics to enforce this behavior and prevent one side ...
4
votes
6answers
472 views
Chuck Norris player character - can I keep true to the internet meme while still running a balanced game?
One of my group mates has been quite obsessed with creating a Chuck Norris inspired character. He's playing a martial arts heavy, assassin flavors of Rogue, in a DnD campaign, which works well enough ...
6
votes
2answers
260 views
Handling merchant inventory with lots of items?
Ok, so I'm converting a roguelike video game to a tabletop game (GearHead, if anyone's interested), and I'm running into a catch where I want to keep the tabletop game essentially compatible with the ...
7
votes
3answers
274 views
Do these stats cover enough of a person's ability?
I've had this thought in my head for a while, as I'm developing my game, but this question really sparked me into posing the question.
In the game I'm developing, peoples normal stats/attributes ...
12
votes
3answers
419 views
How necessary is mechanical character advancement?
I've been fiddling around with a game system for some time (ever since the 2010 Game Chef competition) that's based around characters that are shape-shifters. Because of this, characters have a fluid ...
8
votes
3answers
120 views
How do I make players more comfortable in an unusual historical setting?
I run a lot of games/write systems set in specific historical/cultural contexts, because I like rpgs as a way to explore them and think they provide a great sense of place. However, I tend not to ...
15
votes
6answers
201 views
How do I ensure separation between historical events and the game world while still feeling historical?
I am running a pulp WW2 campaign where the players are deep inside Germany in 1940 uncovering secret projects, getting involved in the occult and discovering ancient powers that the Third Reich are ...
13
votes
2answers
656 views
What is the reason for introducing the rule for Attacks of Opportunity in D&D?
The Attacks of Opportunity are an important part in D&D and spinoffs of the game like Pathfinder. What does this rule for the game-system? How does it affect the fun of the players? Why was this ...
