Interesting

[Kurgan]

Hello Monster,

MJ> I haven't played Powers & Perils (or D&D3e for that
MJ> matter) in a while, but the new game you discuss seems
MJ> to miss target.  The single strongest asset of Powers
MJ> & Perils was melee combat realism, in my opinion.
MJ> This is where games like D&D and the new game you
MJ> discuss do not quite match Powers & Perils.
MJ> Specificly, Im talking about D&D's "To Hit" vs. Armor
MJ> Class, and the new game's "Attack Value" vs. the
MJ> opponents Armor value.  Further, damage based only on
MJ> weapon type seems overly simplistic and doesnt accound
MJ> for "critical" hits...

    Ok, fair enough, but maybe I was being a little too simplistic in
    my initial explanation. Undiscovered is very much like P&P (for
    combat) in several ways. The attack method could easily be
    confused for OCV vs. DCV. Where Undiscovered falls short is the
    damage, which by the way does have other factors that contribute
    to the end result, such as a bonus derived from Strength. What it
    lacks, as you've said, is a range of successes that can be more
    easily attained with higher skill with the weapon. It just gives
    you a final number for your attack value, which goes against the
    defensive value. If you hit, you roll damage based on weapon type,
    add the bonus for strength, and there you have it.
       I'm not crazy about the fact that armor adds to the defense
    rating. That's too much like D&D. I much prefer that armor lessens
    damage. More logical. What I'd like to see them do is take the
    defense rating and make it applicable to damage instead of the
    chance for being hit, then create a table for variations on
    success of the attack (to reflect skilled attacks better).
       The irony of all of this is that, in this discussion, we keep
    getting back to P&P. Which, of course, begs the obvious question,
    "the why bother? Why not just keep playing P&P?"
       I'd say that's a fair question, too, and the answer is that I,
    for one, fully intend to. I love P&P and only think it needed
    better editing and perhaps a little streamlining. Undiscovered
    does have one advantage, though, and that is the fact that it's
    currently active and supported. That's always a nice draw. With
    only a little bit of work Undiscovered could be made to be much
    like P&P. I've already figured out the few needed (and painless)
    rules changes that could be employed to make it so. I sent in the
    rules option for removing levels from the game, and the game's
    author likes it and is going to offer it on the website. :)


MJ> One day the perfect game will be made that accounts
MJ> for all these strengths and none of the weaknesses.

    Yep. I've been working on it for years. Just you wait, one of
    these days I'll be able to afford to finish it up and get it
    printed. That'll be a great day. :)



Best regards,

   Kurgan

   Mailto:Kurgan at Fastmail.fm


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