Flaws (as in "Talents & Flaws")

[imported_Rasyr]

Had an idea this morning on a way to incorporate Flaws into the system in a manner that makes them more utilized and less likely to be forgotten about.

In most systems that include Talents & Flaws, the Flaw usually provide a negative cost which is then used to acquire more Talents. And once play begins, those Flaws are quite often "conveniently" forgotten.

My idea here is to separate Flaws into 2 categories - Minor and Major.

The player would receive NO points or benefits from the Flaws during chargen. However, he would receive benefits once play begins.

Every time that a Flaw comes into play, the character would receive an XP bonus (10 for Minor, 20 for Major), and he would also receive Fate Points (1 for Minor, 2 for Major).

I figure that there would need to be some guidelines as what constitutes "comes into play", but that is the general gist of it....

Thoughts? Comments?

[samwise7]

I tend not to like XP bonuses for individual players, and instead I like to pool all of the XP and divide evenly amongst the players that participated in that adventure.  I do like the idea of Fate Points... but with a max of 5 many characters will max out fairly easily with the Nova roll, and with gaining levels.  Maybe some players spend them faster than others though, so it would be a good way to replenish them.  Maybe the extra XP though could be divided evenly, or just be a house rule kind of thing.

Other than XP or Fate Points could there be any other benefits?

[imported_Witchking20k]

D6 uses a similar system.  I like it.  Its easy to use, and you end up kinda waiitng for it to happen...

[imported_Rasyr]

I like the idea because it actually promotes the inclusion of flaws into character, and to having them appear in game (i.e. if they get forgotten, it isn't a problem in any fashion).

[imported_Witchking20k]

I have system written that could easily be converted to Novus.  I'll send you a copy.......maybe later this morning....probably later tomarrow....

[imported_Rasyr]

I will most likely be adding Flaws in Libram Novus #3.

I will be making some changes to Fate Points to accommodate this as well. Specifically:

• No more limit on how many Fate Points a character can have
• Can spend no more than 3 Fate Points on a single roll/action
• Only receive a Fate Point upon levelling up if you have fewer than 5 Fate Points
• Other methods of earning Fate Points work regardless of how many Fate Points you have.

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[imported_Rasyr]

Query -- should we also allow for Flaws to give Character Points when they are taken? Perhaps +1 CP for every 2 Minor Flaws/1 Major Flaw? ANd if we do that, should we put a cap on how many CP can be gained from Flaws?

[Fidoric]

I think that flaws should not give any benefits other than during the story. A flaw shoud not be taken to have a cash back in CP. A character should be given a flaw only if it drives him somehow.IMO you should stick to your first approach and give a edge to characters whose flaw come into play. It could be in the form of fate points or maybe boon points. I don't feel the Xp bonus is a good idea though.

So if I understand your idea, you can take for example the Flaw: Chivalrous, and as soon as the character is acting chivalrously, he gains a benefit. It requires a close definition of the domain of the flaw, understood by both GM and player. In my example, if the character fights to save an endangered princess against three thugs, he may be acting chivalrously and gain his benefit.

I think it's a good incentive to make players stick with their character's orientation.

[imported_Witchking20k]

IMO, D6 System for example, only gives XP for flaws if they affect the storyline...this would be cool to adapt.

[imported_Rasyr]

IMO, D6 System for example, only gives XP for flaws if they affect the storyline...this would be cool to adapt.

Actually, you might say that this is already in place....

The very last item on the Experience Awards table is:

Uses character background to contribute a plot element to the adventure/story

Now, Flaws would correctly be considered as part of the character's background (as as with Talents or any portion of the character's backstory). Thus, you could say that Flaws fall under it..

[imported_Witchking20k]

I would suggest emphasiing this more than being the very last item on the Experience Awards Table    Make it a key aspect of the "Flaws System".  The roleplaying triggers are a huge attraction to veteren players; most players ignore flaws after they get some points for them....