Res Ob? Resources ability?

[Lxndr]

I haven't seen this before the Mount Burner - what is the Resources ability, how do you get it in game, when do you roll it, how does it go up and down, etc?

[luke]

coming very soon. we're play testing it right now.

Currently, I am:

• Writing/developing a new demo for the local/east coast cons.

• Feverishly writing the monster burner.

• Playtesting Resources and Duel of Wits.


Be patient, you'll have versions of all of the above in your hot little hands soon enough. I am very confident that Resources is going to work well. The Mount Burner is anticipating this (rather than my going back in and readjusting the Mt Burner).

Perhaps Pete would like to offer comment on the Resources rules as he has played them so far? (His character has the highest Resources in the group).

-L

[Kublai]

I am on the fence about the Resources roll. On one hand, we no longer have to count coins. On the other, a lot of roleplaying has been reduced to a single roll.

I think Resources as a Stat works great for epic campaigns where the characters have vast amounts of wealth and contacts. I think it is not as good for the down-and-dirty campaigns when the characters have nothing.

I've noticed a severe lack of use for a skill we used to use all the time - haggling. Haggling has been reduced to a simple die modifier for the Resource test. Also, you used to be able to FoRK in Persuasion and Falsehood and Appraisal to Haggling tests, but these can't be applied to Resource tests. I am not to keen about this and don't understand why.

I am sure I'll have more to say as the playtesting goes along.

[luke]

Hm. Good comments, Pete!

Perhaps we could, for lesser important tests, allow a simple Haggling test to actually negotiate the obstacle of a Resources test? A kind of abstracted, "I'm arguing with vendors all over town and not paying a penny more for this crap" roll.

For more important Haggles, perhaps we could use the Duel of Wits rules to set the obstacle?

-L

[Lxndr]

If you need extra playtesters on either the Resources ability or the Duel of Wits, please, keep me in mind! Please please please. :)

[luke]

The way playtesting works at BWHQ is like this:


I design/intuit a rule I want to try, or it is suggested to my by a player.

We then talk about it a bit via AIM or perhaps after a game session. Hash out theory. "What do you think about..." As a rule, my rules suggestions are met with skepticism or outright derision. Player's suggestions are met with great consideration and thought (or I just stone-wall them, pretending I don't understand how to speak english.)

Then I hit the drawing board and no one is allowed to see what I am working on, let alone comment on it. I knock around ideas until I am ready to present something that won't get my award-winning credentials revoked.

Then I present it to the players. They deride and pillory me for evening considering such a ridiculous concept. I go back to my room, crying, and rewrite the rule.

We then usually do a little prelim die rolling -- out of game stuff -- just to see if it "works." Then they pillory me some more, throwing stones occassionally. I make modifications based on our findings, and lick my wounds.

Then I arrange for the rule to be introduced into game sessions. I always warn the players and try to get their grudging consent. At this point I am usually sure that the rule/mod is not going to break the game. We test it in the wild and wooly world of actual play. We check for what I missed in the basic write-up, what doesn't work, what feels wrong and what feels right.

Then I back off and take it back to the drawing board, tweaking the necessary modifications. And usually let it sit for a month or two in order to get a fresh perspective.

Then I rewrite it completely to clear up confusion and get rid of all the patchworkiness that the tweaking process creates. At this point we incorporate it into the game and I release it for further playtesting by you all.


Right now we are in the penultimate stages. I've gone through my "sit on it period" and found I was still dissatisfied, since we skipped actual play! So we're knocking the kinks out of it right now and preparing it for your consumption.

-L

[Durgil]

Currently, I am:

• Writing/developing a new demo for the local/east coast cons.

• Feverishly writing the monster burner.

• Playtesting Resources and Duel of Wits.


Be patient, you'll have versions of all of the above in your hot little hands soon enough. I am very confident that Resources is going to work well. The Mount Burner is anticipating this (rather than my going back in and readjusting the Mt Burner).
Man Luke, you keep making me feel more and more happy about finding The Burning Wheel. I hope your game becomes so successful that you get to quit your day-job, and you get to play and write to your heart's content, unless of course that is already your day-job :D .

[BOBDOTCOMMIE]

>
> i gotta say i love the idea of this stat/skill/bodily function.i think this creates a more fluid role playin situation : player(s) and the gm and set the frame work of how they are goin to work out their goal, role play the important parts of their plan( and possibly add a die for really good roleplay if ya like or vice-versa ) and let the dice roll. i believe this stat can cover alot gray areas that most systems have a hard time covering and cleans up an area that while has a definite role in games can detract from a more dramatic game..... let me clean up those last two points. alot games may have a cash system or whatever ; the resource stat can replace the dependence and focus of coin collecting/plundering/stealing in games where that aspect is moot and doesnot tie into what needs doin. > if your the head of the hobgoblin nation, a few hundred gold pieces doesn'tinto the puzzle. what's needed is something that reflects resources and manpower that your position bestows upon you.the resource stat is how you deal with famines/fight your wars of aggression/bribe the border barons.now a good amount of roleplayin fits in here but it doesnot capture all thats goin on. >another instance is the fixer character : this is their best friend.its how they make all those behind the scences moves to get info, gear, and whatever else is needed ( well this stat and their contacts ). >i think i'm done and i can't to see the finished product herr abzu pushes out.

[Durgil]

I think that there is definitely some room for a resource stat on the small time, individual level as well. Everyone knows someone who would be considered low income but never seems to have any money problems; then there are those who, like quite a few lottery winners, come into quite a bit of cash, but they aren't used to having so much and don't know how to manage it. I have heard that there are a significant number of lottery winners who end up declaring bankruptcy within one year of winning their jackpot.

I'm also very excited about the dual of wits rules. I never had a chance to play Jack Vance's The Dying Earth RPG, but I own a copy of the rules and love how it allows players who aren't smooth talkers play characters who are and limits those players who are good communicators.

[eruditus]

After some consideration I think it would be important to have both coinage system and a Resource Attribute. I would see Resources as an overall level of financial leveraging and a basis for loans and soft purchasing where individual coinage would be for outright purchases with hard cold cash.

I think its important in certain circumstances to allow the players the ability to particiapte in the haggleing process more than just on a broad abstract sense.

Also this would solve the issues mentioned earlier about grittier games. Without any real resources then the PCs would have to resort to simple cash transactions.

[eruditus]

The way playtesting works at BWHQ is like this:
-L

This has to be one of the wittiest things you have ever writen. :lol:
I thoroughly enjoyed this post! :D

Now all we have to do is insert me into that list somehow...