tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post1268897515728763475..comments2024-03-29T02:42:23.220-07:00Comments on B/X BLACKRAZOR: Skills SuckJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-40420144267207660882009-07-17T23:14:50.433-07:002009-07-17T23:14:50.433-07:00I hope you're posting the results to SvP. My g...I hope you're posting the results to SvP. My guess is...well, actually I don't want to guess. Let's call your game a "test group."<br />: )JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532311924539491087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-32693982490287120832009-07-17T12:19:04.864-07:002009-07-17T12:19:04.864-07:00Funny you should say that, regarding necessity and...Funny you should say that, regarding necessity and invention... tonight I am running Cyclopedic D&D and I'm not using the optional skill system... I imagine there might be a bit of culture shock for players who are using to busting out Search or Sense Motive or whatnot. I'm sure they'll do fine. (hahahaha)DMWieghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682249561077936507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-18333339664168534702009-07-17T11:33:53.244-07:002009-07-17T11:33:53.244-07:00@ Ryan: I’ve played a lot of Palladium in the past...@ Ryan: I’ve played a lot of Palladium in the past. I actually recently re-purchased Heroes Unlimited (2nd edition) because it’s kick-ass for street level super-brawls a la the Marvel Ultimates imprint. However, character generation is a total drag because of the skills.<br /><br />(not that there aren’t other problems with the game!)<br /><br />Regarding player laziness…see part 2 of this series, just posted. You ever hear the term “necessity is the mother of invention?” Take away their skills and see if the players can’t improve their game play.<br /><br />@ Meepo: Thanks!JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532311924539491087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-2377509565204390852009-07-17T10:26:39.137-07:002009-07-17T10:26:39.137-07:00Kickass post. I agree with you all the way.Kickass post. I agree with you all the way.Jimwisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06570083787284952766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-4538212859893943302009-07-17T10:13:07.921-07:002009-07-17T10:13:07.921-07:00Shit, JB...don't sugar coat it! :)
I'm go...Shit, JB...don't sugar coat it! :) <br />I'm going to go out on a limb, then, and guess that you are not a fan of Palladium, Rolemaster, or GURPS.<br /><br />I actually like skill systems, though I have noticed several problems with them, most of which you noted above. Here is one that bothers me especially: <br /><br />Player Laziness- Skill systems often promote lazy play styles. Rather than try to think their way out of things, players just want to make the problem go away with a skill check. Town guards asking for a weapon tax? Player calls for an Intimidate check. NPC's story a little fishy? Player calls for Sense Motive check. Why describe searching a room when you can roll Search or Wits+Investigation or whatnot? Also, my players who take any sort of lore skill (magical lore, religion, whatever) want to roll it against every. Single. Thing. They. Meet. <br /><br />However, in games that do not have character classes, I can see the usefulness of skill systems...otherwise, what do we have to judge what a character can do? I do think that many game systems get carried away with this sort of thing. <br /><br />For the record, I think the games that have the least obtrusive skill systems are Fudge, Star Wars (the old d6 version) and Savage Worlds. <br /><br />Just my 2 c.p.DMWieghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682249561077936507noreply@blogger.com