Character Points

[earthwizard]

Firstly I will preface this by saying that I enjoy the amount of roleplaying that we have in the group and I think you guys are good at it. The following is an idea that I came up with this week, primarily drawn from the thought You know, I'd like to offer something more than just xp for good roleplaying.

Secondly, this house rule is in a very rough draft right now. I would actually really appreciate any input you have on making things more fair/balanced (like FOX news! - ok not like FOX news).

OK, so here's what I am thinking. In order to encourage role playing I'd like to offer this new reward system. May I introduce "Character Points".

Character points are rewards for role playing at the table and on the message boards. If you do or say something in character, and it fits well with the story and all that, then I will reward you by offering a point. You may then cash in points (as a free action on your turn) according to the following system:

1 point - Choose one of the following:
+2 next d20 roll
+2 (per tier) next damage roll

2 points - Choose one of the following:
Until the end of your next turn, your speed increases by 2.
Until the end of your next turn, +2 to one defense of your choice

3 points - Choose one of the following:
Make a saving throw - the result is binding
Gain an additional action point
Your next at-will attack power is a guaranteed hit (stolen and adapted from Phil's house rule - thank you, Phil)

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My concern here is that I don't want to provide a mechanic that overlaps with abilities already designated to certain character races/classes (e.g., spend a healing surge would be out, because that's a leader ability). At least I don't want to do that too much (some may be unavoidable). I also don't want things getting too powerful. This house rule is simply meant to make things more fun and reward roleplaying, not make your characters significantly more powerful.

So there it is, any input is welcome.

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BTW - I just got my DM reward in the mail - super-cool Dark Sun themed minis box and set of condition cards (stunned, dazed, etc.). Sweet.

[reiphil]

got mine too!

[The Keeper]

Feb 18, 2010 18:26:49 GMT -8 earthwizard said:

My concern here is that I don't want to provide a mechanic that overlaps with abilities already designated to certain character races/classes (e.g., spend a healing surge would be out, because that's a leader ability). At least I don't want to do that too much (some may be unavoidable). I also don't want things getting too powerful. This house rule is simply meant to make things more fun and reward roleplaying, not make your characters significantly more powerful.

So there it is, any input is welcome.

My only concern is that the game will be spammed with BAD rp that will just be frustrating for the innocent parties involved. Other than that, a good idea.

[reiphil]

Shitty rp gets negative character points!

[kore]

Phil, too bad you didn't implement this during David's hiatus, I would have used my Durnalla-voice all day.

[reiphil]

I would've stunned durnalla so it couldn't use a voice, all day.

[David]

Mechanically, I'd suggest you make spending these points a minor action, just so questions of timing don't come up.

[earthwizard]

Shitty RP will be met with the full force of the DM's oversized mordenkrad.

Also, if things get out of hand, I can always just put a limit on the number of character points one can earn in any given week (e.g., 3).

[Joseph Barros]

This is a lot like Hero Points in Mutants and Masterminds. Hero points are a little less mechanics oriented than what you have though. They can be used to gain an important clue from the GM. They can be used as a save your ass button. (Like when JP's character got face blasted by a gigantic laser cannon, he used a hero point to avoid certain death and get a last second dodge.) If you are fighting in a kitchen and you could REALLY use a large boiling pot of oil in arms reach, BAM use a hero point and there it is! (haven't had anyone use a hero point for this reason yet, but I'm sure the first time is going to be awesome!)

There's a few other uses I can't think of right now. In general you usually get them for heroic acts, so they generally help you do further heroic acts; gaining a hero point is incentive to RP, and the applications of the hero point serve to encourage even more RP. Pretty win-win if your goal is RP and in Mutants and Masterminds there are tons!

Ask Phil or JP to explain it in more detail when you see them. Phil has the book. That section might be a good read for you to mine for ideas.

Making it a minor action probably isn't necessary.

[Joseph Barros]

Feb 18, 2010 19:19:43 GMT -8 The Keeper said:

Feb 18, 2010 18:26:49 GMT -8 earthwizard said:

My concern here is that I don't want to provide a mechanic that overlaps with abilities already designated to certain character races/classes (e.g., spend a healing surge would be out, because that's a leader ability). At least I don't want to do that too much (some may be unavoidable). I also don't want things getting too powerful. This house rule is simply meant to make things more fun and reward roleplaying, not make your characters significantly more powerful.

So there it is, any input is welcome.

My only concern is that the game will be spammed with BAD rp that will just be frustrating for the innocent parties involved. Other than that, a good idea.

Heh. Shitty RP. As if we know any other kind.

[earthwizard]

Feb 19, 2010 18:01:09 GMT -8 Joseph Barros said:

This is a lot like Hero Points in Mutants and Masterminds. Hero points are a little less mechanics oriented than what you have though. They can be used to gain an important clue from the GM. They can be used as a save your ass button. (Like when JP's character got face blasted by a gigantic laser cannon, he used a hero point to avoid certain death and get a last second dodge.) If you are fighting in a kitchen and you could REALLY use a large boiling pot of oil in arms reach, BAM use a hero point and there it is! (haven't had anyone use a hero point for this reason yet, but I'm sure the first time is going to be awesome!)

There's a few other uses I can't think of right now. In general you usually get them for heroic acts, so they generally help you do further heroic acts; gaining a hero point is incentive to RP, and the applications of the hero point serve to encourage even more RP. Pretty win-win if your goal is RP and in Mutants and Masterminds there are tons!

Ask Phil or JP to explain it in more detail when you see them. Phil has the book. That section might be a good read for you to mine for ideas.

Making it a minor action probably isn't necessary.

Thank's Joseph! That's pretty much spot on what I was looking for.