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imported_Rasyr

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Update Immenent
« on: February 03, 2011, 04:14:54 PM »
Later on today, I will be posting an update to Novus on OBS (One Book Shelf, aka RPGNow and DriveThruRPG). This will most Novus from Open Beta version 0.1 to Novus Open Beta version 0.2

The Update includes the following changes:


  • Several Typo Corrections - Finding and fixing those annoying little typos that always creep in is almost a full time task.
  • Combat System Changes - There are several changes that we made to the combat rules. They are as follows:
    • Removed Point Buy Stat Generation - It was found that this method was, more often than not, used mostly for power-gaming through the min-maxing of the Favored Stats of a given class. So it has been removed, until such time that we can make it more balanced overall, and we can come up with a way to allow it without allowing the min-maxing of stats.
    • Removed "Str Damage" - We have removed Str Damage from the damage calculations.
    • Changed Scaled Damage - We changed this so that it now does 1 hit of damage for every point that the roll was above the DEF of the foe.
    • Increased Armor Ratings - We increased Armor Ratings across the board. Both for Armor and for Monsters.
    • Altered Stats for Combat Skills - Not all of them, just those that we felt should be changed do to the new rules.
    • Expanded Two Weapon Combo -  with some simple guidelines for using Shields as part of the
[/li]
[li]Fate Points - We have added a new capability, one that allows players to use Fate Points to buy off Snag Points or purchase an extra Boon Point for a given roll. [/li]
[li]Clarified Spells Vs DEF - There was some confusion about how Spells that are against DEF should work. We added a sidebar to better describe this[/li]
[/list][/list]

imported_Rasyr

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Update Immenent
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2011, 06:58:48 PM »
And the files have been updated

Offline Fidoric

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Update Immenent
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2011, 09:13:15 PM »
I find it very exciting to be able to give my mind on a RPG in its development stage. Thanks a lot for this great opportunity.
So, here are some comments made just as I read the changes.

1. Though I did not have time enough to test it, I feel that the new stat array is better balanced. The few test characters I have made before were, IMHO, weak with very low stat bonuses to begin.

2. As for the change to damage rules, I cannot understand the rationales behind it, can you give some help ? I found the previous stats for combat skills well designed because they made different kinds of characters (the quick, the agile, the strong) proficient with different types of weapons. Now more weapons rely on strength. I understand that it is needed to make for the disappearance of strength damage but somehow I find the previous version more to my taste.

3. Don't you think that making the scale damage +1 for each point over the TN will lessen the difference between weapons. I mean, with a 15 points above TN roll, the weapon base damage is not that important. Most of the damage comes from the roll, not the weapon. A dagger would yield 18 hits and a greatsword 22 and both weapons will give the same bleeding, penalties...

4. Next, granting 1 boon point for each 10 points above TN makes it very hard to access the 3 or 4 points combat boons. To get a killing blow against a mere 15 DEF requires a roll of 56 if I understand correctly ? Quite a feat even for a expert fighter. That is, if I understand it right !


5. I find the additional option to fate points a very good idea.

6. The clarification about spell vs DEF is useful. In the chapter about casting boon points, they are earned on a 5/1 ratio, making them easier to get than the new combat boon points. Is that the intention or should both of them be earned on the same basis ?

That's all for now. I hope some of those observations can be useful.
 
Fidoric
 





Offline Fidoric

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« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2011, 09:19:50 PM »
I have read more closely the chapter on boons, and it states every kind of boons are earned on a 10/1 basis. That answers my question in point 6 above ! But my fourth question can now be extended to all boon points.

Best regards,
Fidoric
 

imported_Rasyr

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Update Immenent
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2011, 11:43:06 PM »
There are Combat moves, Talents, Fate Points, and other things that can generate Boon Points as well.

We found, through testing that the +/-5 breakpoint generates too many Boons/Snags, hence the move to +/-10 (they ARE meant to be special).

The change to scalable damage (and to ARs, and to DEFs) was all part of an overall balancing of those factors. The stat is still incorporated, through the skill bonus, and yes, skill plays a larger part in how much damage is dealt than the actual weapon used -- though we are currently looking to see if we need to increase the Base Damage on some of the weapons....


Offline gamewizard

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Update Immenent
« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2011, 12:58:43 AM »
Tim; I noticed you left all three methods of Stat generation in the Step 5 explanation on Page 6. I am not sure if you left the Point Buy method there on purpose since it looks like from your description you might be modifying it and adding it back in later, but it might be confusing to newbies if they see the method in one place and it isn't actually available.

"Not everybody is going to enjoy the same method of determining their character's stats. Novus offers you 3 separate methods for determining your character's stats. There is the Random Method, the Point Buy Method, and the Stat Array Method."

A quote from the free, updated version posted today.

I just purchased the $5 download. I did not initially see that it was up yet. I just wanted to put my money where my mouth was. I also left a brief review of the product on the RPG website.

I misread what the official reviewer said about Novus and wasn't impressed with his review, but misunderstanding things at first glance is par for the course for me. 

imported_Rasyr

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Update Immenent
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2011, 03:04:07 AM »
No, I didn't leave it on purpose.. heheh

The joys of doing an Open Beta... you always miss something... hehhe

Offline gamewizard

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« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2011, 05:33:22 AM »
Meh, it just shows us you're human; instead of some Game Designer Demi-God.

imported_jasonbrisbane

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Update Immenent
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2011, 09:00:27 AM »
Lol

Its almost worethy of a munchkin card game card:

"Game designer forgets to update rules. Everyone looses a level!"

imported_Rasyr

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Update Immenent
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2011, 11:05:07 AM »

Meh, it just shows us you're human; instead of some Game Designer Demi-God.



Yes, only human, and yes, there is only one of me...

Offline samwise7

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« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2011, 02:21:37 PM »
It's fun when some of my suggestions make it into the mix.