Abstract Range

[Vancian Copyist 1]

Hi,

I'm about to start a new campaign with players who've never had the misfortune (or inclination, I'm guessing) of playing D&D/ Any Other RPG before, and was thinking I might experiment with abstracting distances to simply Short (5-30', [+1]), Medium (30-100' [no adjustment]) and Long (100'+ [-1]) range for the purposes of combat. 'Thrown' items would be limited to short range (without the bonus).

Monte Cooke's Cypher System does something like this to great effect, and it seems to be a nice way of retaining the use of miniatures (and all the positives having a physical focus brings) without me having to draw out rooms, count squares, or use tape measures.

Has anyone done this already? Is everyone already doing this? Is this a really bad idea?

[Dimirag]

I've mostly used and played with abstract ranges and never had any problem.

[mTeasdale]

That's generally what I do when playing without battlemat. I guess the range, and goes with it.

Its important to be consequent though. If the monster you shot at long range with your crossbow charges you the next turn, it may brings a lot of arguing on the table.

[Longman]

Sounds cool, although I'd probably limit some weapons to medium range as well.

I've been playing Cook's Numenera recently. What do you think of the system?

[Vancian Copyist 1]

I've been playing Cook's Numenera recently. What do you think of the system?

I've not played it, but I love the setting. Endless possibilities.
The Cypher System book is great as well. A really nice rules-light GURPS-style RPG.
I also like the writing style.

[Longman]

I like the range aspect - movement, missile weapons and cypher effects are either short (up to 15 meters), medium (15-30 meters), or long (up to 100 meters). So exactly what you said, except in meters. Star Wars Edge of Empire does a similar thing.

Having said that, one of the players in my group think even that is too much to get his head around. He says he likes "cinematic" rules, which seems to mean that there aren't any, and he can teleport, and throw things for half a mile.

Being stylised and reductionist is fine, so long as you then stick to the rules.

[BardHarlock]

I guess if by cinematic he means wuxia meets superhero flick, that could make sense.

[Vancian Copyist 1]

He says he likes "cinematic" rules

Depends on the director!