Behind the Lines: Changes A'Comin' (#39)

[eskemp]

Some people say that gamers are inherently conservative. Others say that people are inherently conservative, and gamers are just a subset thereof. Now, this isn't talk about politics, mind: it's a discussion of that big mess of psychology that deals with how we approach things we ran into at a formative stage and stuff that changes the material of

Comments

[anonymous]

I really liked the Requiem Chronicler's Guide and I wished there were more books like it. I liked how it intentionally drew away from the familiar rules and setting, but everything was clearly totally optional. That way, the players could choose how much of the old and familiar they wanted and how much of the new and novel they wanted.

Along those lines, I really wish WW would put out some optional books that throw caution (i.e., game balance) to the wind and just have some sensational fun. I wish there was a Mage book that had a "turn vampire into a lawnchair" rote or level 9 arcana powers listed. Or an Exalted book that lays out some stats for the Unconquered Sun. I feel the book supplements outside of a core WoD game book are somewhat vanilla. i think it would be cool to have more books that give options on ways to go way outside of the scope of the core book. Stuff that would shake things up. WoD Inferno is a good example of a book that isn't totally vanilla. It shook things up a bit and I really liked it for that.

Not that i don't think the core rules are good and well thought out. I understand why they are there. But I believe I have read many times that the WoD is written as a tool box approach that is there to give inspiration for GMs and players to use in their games. I think having some supplements (they don't even have to be books) that give some out-there optional rules would be really refreshing without scaring people away from the old and familiar.

Also, while I am laying out my wish-list: it would be cool to have a supernatural that doesn't use the standard linear list of powers that sequentially rank in power.

[earthdragon]

Have you checked out "Dreams of the First Age" for Exalted?

[anonymous]

Good reminder! Yes, i have Dreams of the First Age. I probably should have mentioned it as i really liked the way it took a big step beyond the original game. I would really like more things like it, especially if there was some sort of WoD equivalent.

[earthdragon]

It was extra neat in that it was usable as its own thing, or as something to cast shadows on the core game.

[anonymous]

Exactly! It was totally optional, but gave players ideas on how to take their games in a totally different direction. I know a lot of forum posters griped about some of the content, but I see that as a good sign. It didn't hold back and it made people think.