Dragon Age RPG
I gave the Dragon Age RPG by Green Ronin a test run for character creation. There was a slight problem with creating the type of character I wanted, until I was pointed to the errata. Once that was done, things weren't so bad, and I found I was quickly and easily able to make my character based on concept.
So far, the system looks fairly clean, and I'm curious to see how it would play. It looks like it was inspired by the d20 system, but has more attributes and swapped the d20 for a strict d6 based system.
Attributes: Roll 3d6, which provides a modifier (-2 to +4). Ignore the 3d6 roll from this point on. Roll in sequence, you can make two 'swaps'. Each level, you gain a +1 to an attribute, and at every odd level, you gain a second +1 to a different attribute.
AC: 10 + Dex Bonus.
Armour provides DR.
HP: # by Class + Con Mod + 1d6. You get 10 + Con Mod (+1d6?) each time you level.
Attack is 3d6 + Attribute Bonus vs AC. If you happen to roll doubles, you get to add a 'stunt' (special mechanical effect) to the result. One of the d6 is off-colour, and is used to determine how many 'stunt points' you have to spend.
On any attribute check, the stunt die determines how well you do, if you pass. So if you pass, but the die comes up 1, it's a 'squeak by' pass, even if you beat the difficulty by a lot. If it rolls a 6, you breeze through it.
"Skills" are called "focuses" (I'd have preferred foci), and each is tied to an attribute. A focus provides a +2 bonus to the relevant roll.
Talents are Feats. You get one at every even level (or was it odd?).
There's three professions: Mage, Rogue, Warrior. The main rule book deals with characters from Level 1 to Level 5. The next set coming out will deal with 6 to 10, and add progression to the character's class -- for example, a Rogue can become a Ranger. But that book's not out yet.
All in all, except for a few 'derp' moments, the rules are pretty solid for chargen, and it looks like game play would be smooth. I give this a 3.5 so far, but only because I'm biased against Dragon Age. Being unbiased, I'd actually give it a 4. I'd give it higher, but this 'forced order' for attributes and the randomness for background sort of tweaks a nerve. It isn't unforgiveable, but it sort of puts me off.
So far, the system looks fairly clean, and I'm curious to see how it would play. It looks like it was inspired by the d20 system, but has more attributes and swapped the d20 for a strict d6 based system.
Attributes: Roll 3d6, which provides a modifier (-2 to +4). Ignore the 3d6 roll from this point on. Roll in sequence, you can make two 'swaps'. Each level, you gain a +1 to an attribute, and at every odd level, you gain a second +1 to a different attribute.
AC: 10 + Dex Bonus.
Armour provides DR.
HP: # by Class + Con Mod + 1d6. You get 10 + Con Mod (+1d6?) each time you level.
Attack is 3d6 + Attribute Bonus vs AC. If you happen to roll doubles, you get to add a 'stunt' (special mechanical effect) to the result. One of the d6 is off-colour, and is used to determine how many 'stunt points' you have to spend.
On any attribute check, the stunt die determines how well you do, if you pass. So if you pass, but the die comes up 1, it's a 'squeak by' pass, even if you beat the difficulty by a lot. If it rolls a 6, you breeze through it.
"Skills" are called "focuses" (I'd have preferred foci), and each is tied to an attribute. A focus provides a +2 bonus to the relevant roll.
Talents are Feats. You get one at every even level (or was it odd?).
There's three professions: Mage, Rogue, Warrior. The main rule book deals with characters from Level 1 to Level 5. The next set coming out will deal with 6 to 10, and add progression to the character's class -- for example, a Rogue can become a Ranger. But that book's not out yet.
All in all, except for a few 'derp' moments, the rules are pretty solid for chargen, and it looks like game play would be smooth. I give this a 3.5 so far, but only because I'm biased against Dragon Age. Being unbiased, I'd actually give it a 4. I'd give it higher, but this 'forced order' for attributes and the randomness for background sort of tweaks a nerve. It isn't unforgiveable, but it sort of puts me off.