The Problem of Class Proliferation

[shadowmane]

Okay, I'm just throwing this out there. Has anyone thought about making classes for NPC's? I mean, there's a plethora of information out there on different classes for Orcs and Ogres and other "monsters" that give them a unique flavor. One of my personal favorites is the War Hulk. But I haven't tried to convert it for use against PC's in this game. It would also give a flavor to those morbid people who would want to play Orcs or Ogres. I mean, humans and elves have Rangers and Paladins. Why not have something challenging to throw at them?

[MedievalMan]

I made two classes for NPC's that I have yet to use. Maybe you can use these for inspiration. I haven't yet come up with any sort of level advancement, but it wouldn't be too hard to do so.

Warrior: D6 Hit Dice, Fighter Attack Bonus, Saves as Fighter 1. I would use these guys for any unnamed mooks or common guards.

Commoner: D4 Hit Dice, +0 Attack Bonus, Save as Normal Man. I would use these guys for any character who doesn't have a normal character and who also lack combat experience or training (then they would be warriors).

Hope these help spur further ideas.

[SmootRK]

I think the big picture is that we want to foster an environment where everyone can collaborate and contribute to a BFRPG Community... where such participation is welcomed and encouraged!...

...yet figure out a way to make clear for new people to BFRPG or Gaming itself, that nothing extra is needed. And for those with some old school "Advanced" Game experience, a few standardized options can be available (but even then, is not necessary).

I want to see all that people have to offer... even ideas that I might not think of as compatible with my own visions. Because, even in those efforts, I might find some little creative spark that I can apply elsewhere or even just get the next adventure idea. That is why, even when I would not care for something like a Dragonkin Race, I happily add my suggestions and constructive (or at least meant as constructive) criticisms, so that person can make his game 'vision' happen. Who knows what the next generations of gamers will want to see in their games?

I don't want to stifle such creative from appearing, even while we try to simplify and standardize some options.

[MedievalMan]

Smoot my man you have a way of restoring my faith in "old school" gamers. I wish more people expressed your views of tolerance and open-mindedness rather than just trumpeting the virtues of "the one true way".

[Steveman]

That is why, even when I would not care for something like a Dragonkin Race, I happily add my suggestions and constructive (or at least meant as constructive) criticisms, so that person can make his game 'vision' happen. Who knows what the next generations of gamers will want to see in their games?

Hahaha! For just as long as I've had the Shining Empire campaign guide brewing in my mind, I've also had Dungeon Punk setting idea as well, and one of the prominent races is dragonkin. I must put some thought into that once I get tSECS done.

I also need to save up to buy a voice to text program, since all the typing for tSECS is killing my hands and making me not want to draw - which is kind of a big deal since drawing is my job. o,o

[SmootRK]

Smoot my man you have a way of restoring my faith in "old school" gamers. I wish more people expressed your views of tolerance and open-mindedness rather than just trumpeting the virtues of "the one true way".

Thanks. It is a hard line to walk... to be both 'totally old-school' while trying to be completely open to innovation and new ideas. In reality, it is not a manner of thinking that is always appreciated in old school circles... even here (but even worse in other places).

In the end, I like to see some new ideas or concepts, just boiled down to their absolute 'basic' minimums, and made to fit neatly into the existing framework of BFRPG. It is actually quite difficult to achieve such minimalism and compatibility with all such ideas.

Okay, I'm just throwing this out there. Has anyone thought about making classes for NPC's? I mean, there's a plethora of information out there on different classes for Orcs and Ogres and other "monsters" that give them a unique flavor. One of my personal favorites is the War Hulk. But I haven't tried to convert it for use against PC's in this game. It would also give a flavor to those morbid people who would want to play Orcs or Ogres. I mean, humans and elves have Rangers and Paladins. Why not have something challenging to throw at them?

When it comes to a certain game's Prestige Class, I am torn. Some of the ideas would actually make great options, but I just don't like the general way that edition makes cherry picking levels of various classes/prestige-classes in order to achieve the uber-character set of bonuses and abilities. Of the ideas that are nicer, I like best the ones that can easily work with any class, in the manner of my Quasi-Class mechanic.

Some relatively simple mechanics (following a general theme) layered upon a character class in exchange for additional XP... but I make this happen at first level. It helps to make certain archetypes functionally different from others of the same class.

As far as other commoner classes. I don't see the point really. Commoner types, when I see fit to advance them, simply take on a true class at the appropriate time. It is all NPC stuff that is not really necessary to include the players into the thinking.

As far as other races such as orc and ogre, etc. One could use the Monsters as Races Supplement to get them started with character classes. Otherwise, I don't use any race restrictions (any race can be any class, even those they are less inclined towards). So, there can be a Hobgoblin Ranger (I even think one such might have Elf as the Ranger Enemy)... or watch out for the massive Centaur Knights... or a Lizardman Druid who seeks to restore balance by removing the damnable human encroachment on the marshlands. These are great ideas for freaky player characters, though I tend to encourage traditional races.

[SmootRK]

That is why, even when I would not care for something like a Dragonkin Race, I happily add my suggestions and constructive (or at least meant as constructive) criticisms, so that person can make his game 'vision' happen. Who knows what the next generations of gamers will want to see in their games?

Hahaha! For just as long as I've had the Shining Empire campaign guide brewing in my mind, I've also had Dungeon Punk setting idea as well, and one of the prominent races is dragonkin. I must put some thought into that once I get tSECS done.

I also need to save up to buy a voice to text program, since all the typing for tSECS is killing my hands and making me not want to draw - which is kind of a big deal since drawing is my job. o,o

are there no free such options (speech to text). That dragon program is too expensive. surely some linux guru has made one for linux somewhere.

[Steveman]

Yeah, I'm saving up for DragonNS, hoping to get it through my college where it costs about half as much as commercially available given I sign up for a class that uses it.

[Joe the Rat]

Thanks. It is a hard line to walk... to be both 'totally old-school' while trying to be completely open to innovation and new ideas.

So, Neoclassical? Retreaux? You almost need a name for the design aesthetic.

As far as other races such as orc and ogre, etc. One could use the Monsters as Races Supplement to get them started with character classes. Otherwise, I don't use any race restrictions (any race can be any class, even those they are less inclined towards). So, there can be a Hobgoblin Ranger (I even think one such might have Elf as the Ranger Enemy)... or watch out for the massive Centaur Knights... or a Lizardman Druid who seeks to restore balance by removing the damnable human encroachment on the marshlands. These are great ideas for freaky player characters, though I tend to encourage traditional races.

Soon, precious, soon.

[SmootRK]

Soon, precious, soon.

Ominous. What do you have planned?