BW Lite Traits

[eruditus]

Okay, no one nibbled at my trait riddles in the campaign section so I will be more direct here: :D

I have a new trait system for BW lite and I wanted input:

This is a sci-fi based game but I figure it can fit in almost anywhere. The idea is that characters can have 3, 4 or 5 LifePaths. At 3 LPs the character gets 1 General Trait point, Four LPS get another 2 general trait points for a total of 3 and at 5 LPs the toal is 7 LPs. (note, this is a little different than the previous written version on my site). Then each LP gets two LP Traits (generally one good and one bad). The General Traits are as follows:

General Traits
Distinctive Features – something physical about you stands out. Cost: 1
Distinctive Personality – some portion of your personality becomes obvious after a short conversation with others. Cost: 1
Affinity – +1D for skill. Cost 2
Talented – skill roll is open ended. Cost 2
Cursed – -1D in certain situations. Gain 1 Artha in these situations. Cost: 1
Phobia – You must succeed in a Steel test to face a situation. Gain 1 Artha in these situations. Cost 1
Hatred – +1 ob when having to deal constructively with object of hatred. +2D when attempting to destroy it. Cost 2
Hardened – Reduce hesitation by 2 in certain circumstances. Cost 2
Physical Debilitation – +2 ob in certain situations due to blindness, lameness, deafness, or some old injury. Gain 1 Artha in these situations. Cost 1
Addiction – +1ob every day your without your addiction to a maximium of +3ob. Gain 1 Artha in these situations. Cost: 1
Personal Possession – you own a piece of gear that you have owned and taken care of for years. Cost 2
Child Prodigy – A character with only three Lifepaths may have one Heroic skill (DN of 3). Cost 2
Rank and Privledge – You are higher up the social food chain in your field. Cost 2 (Cumulative effect)
Individuality – You may ignore the effects of one Lifepath based trait. Cost 2

I'd like to know what people think of these BW Lite traits and the basis behind them? Feel free to see my site for more info on the stripped down rules and how I sued them in the campaign (work in progress):
www.geocities.com/realityvault/saagrim4.html

[luke]

a quick thumbs-up from me.

i'm in traits up to my ears right now, and these look good to me.

my only worry is about the artha conditions. Those conditions/awards don't seem like they have anything to do with in-game complications or decision making. And they seem like a player could easily munchkin out a "oh, i go three days before i sate my needs. artha for me."

-L

[eruditus]

Right. I'd have to make it more explicit that, much like advances, artha should be rewarded via story relavent means.

[DaGreatJL]

There is one problem that I saw right off the bat while reading this.

At 3 LPs the character gets 1 General Trait point

And then

Child Prodigy – A character with only three Lifepaths may have one Heroic skill (DN of 3). Cost 2

If Child Prodigy recquires 2 Trait points and being a 3 LP character, and 3 LP characters have only 1 Trait point, then nobody will ever be able to take Child Prodigy.

[eruditus]

LOL Wow, good catch! Hmm, I have to think about that. Crap.

I can't make it 1 point otherwise that's what anyone with three LPs are going to take.

Hmmmm... any suggestions on how to retain the mechanic yet make them viable choices?

[eruditus]

How about this? For 1 point and 4 stat points you can take Child Prodigy.

[Kaare Berg]

seems like a fair trade.

Got one question, from initial read through your setting seems predominantly "hard" sci-fi (i.e. more Traveller than Burning Sunse). Which initally makes the trait Cursed seem out of place. This being somthing suggesting sinister forces at large (aka demons).

just 2c by the way.

[eruditus]

Ah, very perceptive, grasshopper ;)

All will be revealed. My next game is December 26th. I will have two updates before then. I think it will be two updates after that to find out more about the supernatural elements to the game.

:twisted: