There are a lot of retro D&D RPG's out there. I've been pondering a few rules tweaks that I think might add to these retro games. Each rule tweak option I propose will be modular, so Dungeon Masters can take or leave what they like. Here is my first rule tweak.
Option One: Stat Potentials
Inspiration: Space Master
Reason: A way to make character's stuck with low stats able to eventually compete with characters that randomness favored.
Rule Description
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Characters role up there initial character stats in the normal method approved by the Dungeon Master. Next, a player roles the the stats over again using the same method. These are potential stats. If the first rolled stat is higher than a potential stat, the potential stat is increased to the first rolled stat. The potential stats are written down on character sheet right next to the first rolled stats. This second set of stats represents a characters given natural potential. Each time a character levels up, each stat that is below the character's potential, the character rolls a D20. If the D20 is roll is greater than the current stat score but less than that stat's potential, increase that stat by 1.
Example. Borg the Fighter's roll up-
STR 12/15
INT 9/11
WIS 10/10
DEX 9/9
CON 14/17
CHR 13/13
Borg levels up to level two. The player rolls a D20 for STR, INT, CON
For STR, the player rolls a 17, so Borg's STR increases by 1.
For INT, the player rolls a 7, so Borg's INT remains the same
For CON, the player rolls an 8, so Borg's CON remains unchanged.
So Borg's new Stats are-
STR 13/15
INT 9/11
WIS 10/10
DEX 9/9
CON 14/17
CHR 13/13
Also, if characters ever suffer attribute loss due to combat, potentials are unchanged, so the character through normal level progression can regain lost stat points.
Variants:
Variant 1A: On the level up potential increase roll, if the D20 rolled is higher than the stat (but still below the potential) the stat increases to the D20 result, not just by +1.
Variant 1B: On a level up, the player is restricted to choosing just one stat to do a potential gain roll for. Or the stat that gets a potential increase check is determined randomly.
Well, what do you think?
Option One: Stat Potentials
Inspiration: Space Master
Reason: A way to make character's stuck with low stats able to eventually compete with characters that randomness favored.
Rule Description
----------------------
Characters role up there initial character stats in the normal method approved by the Dungeon Master. Next, a player roles the the stats over again using the same method. These are potential stats. If the first rolled stat is higher than a potential stat, the potential stat is increased to the first rolled stat. The potential stats are written down on character sheet right next to the first rolled stats. This second set of stats represents a characters given natural potential. Each time a character levels up, each stat that is below the character's potential, the character rolls a D20. If the D20 is roll is greater than the current stat score but less than that stat's potential, increase that stat by 1.
Example. Borg the Fighter's roll up-
STR 12/15
INT 9/11
WIS 10/10
DEX 9/9
CON 14/17
CHR 13/13
Borg levels up to level two. The player rolls a D20 for STR, INT, CON
For STR, the player rolls a 17, so Borg's STR increases by 1.
For INT, the player rolls a 7, so Borg's INT remains the same
For CON, the player rolls an 8, so Borg's CON remains unchanged.
So Borg's new Stats are-
STR 13/15
INT 9/11
WIS 10/10
DEX 9/9
CON 14/17
CHR 13/13
Also, if characters ever suffer attribute loss due to combat, potentials are unchanged, so the character through normal level progression can regain lost stat points.
Variants:
Variant 1A: On the level up potential increase roll, if the D20 rolled is higher than the stat (but still below the potential) the stat increases to the D20 result, not just by +1.
Variant 1B: On a level up, the player is restricted to choosing just one stat to do a potential gain roll for. Or the stat that gets a potential increase check is determined randomly.
Well, what do you think?
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