#42: Origin of a System

[RPGnet Columns]

http://www.rpg.net/columns/physics/physics42.phtml

Summary:

Learning and growing as a game designer.

Go to the column (http://www.rpg.net/columns/physics/physics42.phtml) for more information.

[Barna]

I had never seen that Firefly D20 version before and let me tell you, it includes every modification I´ve always thought D20 needed. My god, I can´t believe it took me this long to find someone who thought that combat should be handled with skills! The use of Reflex as a DC is also neat, as is the reflex bonuses given by feats. I hope your new "Genetic" system includes this sort of modifications. This is probably the best D20 mod I´ve seen.

[smascrns]

I had never seen that Firefly D20 version before and let me tell you, it includes every modification I´ve always thought D20 needed. My god, I can´t believe it took me this long to find someone who thought that combat should be handled with skills!
Maybe they didn't see it because... Let me start from the begining, there are plenty of systems around that handle combat with skills. They aren't d20. d20 doesn't do it with skills. There are other systems to do it with skills. Why should d20 do it with skills, to be just another system that does it with skills? Why play skills-based d20 instead of any of the many systems that have always been skill-based?

[Wyrmwood]

Thank you Barna, I'm glad you enjoyed the design. And yes, genetic system takes those ideas and continues to grow them.

Sergio, as far as why this game uses skills for combat, the reason is to facilitate the create-your-own-class dynamic. And that is in order to have a flexible structure for building a character's past. Combat using skills is a consequence of the design goals, rather than a design goal itself.

As odd as it seems, base attack bonus is no more inherent to d20 than hit points or the divine spell lists. The core parts of the system are level, ability scores, and to a lesser extent the base mechanic (d20 + modifiers vs. a DC). Everything else is extra, and can be sacrificed to meet the goals of the design, including what modifiers are used for combat.

- Mendel