Q&A's with the new BRP author version 2.0

[drohem]

Originally Posted by Jason Durall

...and heroes don't go festooned in magic gear bought in the magic equivalent of Wal-Mart.

Ok, that was hilarious

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by Jason Durall

I'm (hopefully) writing on a book that's none of those, though.

Feels weird to quote myself, but I got the official go-ahead on my next project, and will be working on it as soon as my proofing/editing pass on BRP is done!

More info will follow when I'm at work on it.

[Trifletraxor]

Originally Posted by Jason Durall

so it'll have to be tomorrow that I get that stuff out. I'll post it on a new thread on this forum.

Not nagging of course!

SGL.

[Atgxtg]

Jason,

The pics, got me curious...

I've seen that there is a Strategy skill. How does that work in BRP terms?

Any other new skills?

Judging by the skill categories, are the formulas for Combat skills the same as one of the other formulas (Manipulation, Physical) as in RQ, or it is different?


Thanks again for the peek into the future. It's nice just to see that the book does exist.

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

I've seen that there is a Strategy skill. How does that work in BRP terms?

When the GM allows, a successful Strategy skill can provide a slight bonus to the team with the Strategist. It can be used in mass combat situations (though those are only superficially handled).

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

Any other new skills?

Command
Teach

A lot of weapon/combat skills were folded into cap-skills, like Artillery

Rather than a dozen or more specific knowledge and science sorts of skills, there's a Knowledge skill and a Science skill that depend on specialties (or can be used as-is for a very light game).

Sense covers scent/touch/taste

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

Judging by the skill categories, are the formulas for Combat skills the same as one of the other formulas (Manipulation, Physical) as in RQ, or it is different?

Mostly the same. I think there may have been one or two slight tweaks.

[Simlasa]

I like the idea of a 'revised Worlds Beyond'... though to update it I think it would need some sort of 'hook'. Some overtly distinctive flavor to pull interest.

[Atgxtg]

Originally Posted by Jason Durall

Rather than a dozen or more specific knowledge and science sorts of skills, there's a Knowledge skill and a Science skill that depend on specialties (or can be used as-is for a very light game).

Ah, specialties. How do those work in BRP? DO they add to the main skill when applicable? Or add a flat bonus? Or...?

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

Ah, specialties. How do those work in BRP? DO they add to the main skill when applicable? Or add a flat bonus? Or...?

Rather than having a bunch of individual skills like Chemistry, Physics, Metallurgy, etc. you have Science (Chemistry), Science (Physics), Science (Metallurgy), etc. This also makes it easier to determine potential cross-skill bonuses, such as if your Science (Chemistry) skill might add a bonus to your Science (Metallurgy) skill.

Mostly it just cleans up the character sheet.

If the GM is running a really quick-and-light game, a character might just have "Science" as a flat skill that covers everything.

[Atgxtg]

Originally Posted by Jason Durall

Rather than having a bunch of individual skills like Chemistry, Physics, Metallurgy, etc. you have Science (Chemistry), Science (Physics), Science (Metallurgy), etc. This also makes it easier to determine potential cross-skill bonuses, such as if your Science (Chemistry) skill might add a bonus to your Science (Metallurgy) skill.

Mostly it just cleans up the character sheet.

If the GM is running a really quick-and-light game, a character might just have "Science" as a flat skill that covers everything.

What I mean is, are Science (Chemistry) and Science (physics) related in game terms, like one skill defaulting to the other, or are that essentially two different skills under the Science "umbrella"?

Ringworld used to have specialties, where the specialty rating would add to the main skill, and I was wondering if that was the idea.

Can someone with 1H Sword skill take a specialty in shortsword, and by so doing be better with a shortsword than other one handed blades?

[Trifletraxor]

Fear of the Duck just posted a load of questions for you (33 actually!) in the Playtest Questions thread Jason!

SGL.