Originally Posted by
Lianazhu
OK question, where exactly is the game taking place? online or tabletop? If online what site? If tabletop what city/state/country? If it is online (which I hope it is) I can take a looksee
I'm hoping to run a short campaign or at least a one shot tabletop (locally here in Boston, MA. USA). Normally I'm not a fan of play by post but I may try to run one via instant messenger, ICQ, etc.
At this stage I'm looking for people who know WuXia and have RPG experience to first build characters in the BTM System, and see how they feel. Usually this is more of an exercise for a home-brew character optimization board but I wanted people who are familiar with WuXia.
I have a fair amount of material at this point but it needs to be edited and rebalanced. Once that's done I'll make it available here and on some RPG boards so people can use it as they will.
As the first pass I'm in the process of creating a 5th level character, a 10th level character and a 15th level character to illustrate what possible at those power levels. The 5th level one has low ranks of internal power with zero techniques, and is comprable to a brute fighter. The 10th level character will have a good mix of internal power, qing gong and techniques. Maybe the comparison other here will be a straight swordsage. The final character will essentially illustrate near Greats level of internal power. I'd also like to do a inner power vs. technique comparison here with a swordsage/Master of Nine build.
Here's the comparison for 5th level based on a standard 25 point buy. Emphasis on crunch over fluff.
click to show/hide spoilers
DaFei
Human Fighter 5
Having consumed a hundred year fire ginseng in his early childhood, DaFei is blessed with incredible Internal Power for someone who is barely 20 years of age. A bellicose and arrogant youth by nature, his profound internal power has added greatly to his physical talents.
S 17 (13)
D 14
C 14
I 8
W 8
C 8
HP: 10+11x2+10 = 42 (death at -18)
BAB: +5
AC: 10 + 6 +2 +1 = 19 (Breastplate+1, Dex, amulet of natural armor +1)
Feats: human, F1, 1st, F2, 3rd, F4=5
Neigong Training x 4, Power Attack
Internal Power Rank =4
Enhanced Concentration
Practicing internal energy has helped you to focus your mind, and maintain your composure under stress. Concentration is now considered a class skill for you regardless of class. Furthermore you receive a +1 insight bonus to your Concentration checks for each rank of internal power that you have.
Enhanced Vitality
Your cultivation of internal energies bolsters your life force allowing you to survive injuries that would be fatal for others. Normally characters are dead when reduced to -10 hit points. Your internal power will delay death by two points per rank. Furthermore you can burn internal power ranks to heal two hit points per rank. Burned internal power ranks can be recovered normally via rest (1 per day) or through Meditation: Recover Internal Power if you have this ability.
Increase Strength
By using a standard action and making a DC 20 concentration check an internal power practitioner can add an insight bonus equal to his Internal Power rank to his Strength until the end of his next turn.
Increase Toughness
By using a standard action and making a DC 20 concentration check an internal power practitioner can add temporary hit points equal to twice his Internal Power rank until the end of his next turn. These temporary hit points are bypassed by slashing or piercing damage.
Increase (Move)
You have reached a level of cultivation that you can now increase your abilities via internal power with a move-equivalent action.
With a concentration of 14, he will be successful roughly 75% of the time. In 25% of the time it would be wasted. (Buying a +5 competence bonus item to boost concentration would be useful).
Skills of Note:
Concentration 8 + 2 +4(IP) = +14
Mountain Cleaver (Greataxe+1) +9 / 1d12+5 (3x1.5 + 1 = 5) every round (average 11.5)
Or
If Strength boosted by +4 (to 21/ +5) and power attack at -2 = +9 / 1d12+12 (5x1.5+1) =8 from magic and Str, + 4 PA) every round (average 18.5 or 13.875 with the 75% success rate of Increase Strength)
Sir Haxalot
Human Fighter 5
S 17 (13)
D 14
C 14
I 8
W 8
C 8
HP: 10+11x2+10 = 42 (extended dying to -14)
BAB: +5
Saves +4/+1/+1
AC: 10 + 6 +2 +1 = 19 (Breastplate+1, Dex, amulet of natural armor +1)
Feats: human, F1, 1st, F2, 3rd, F4=5
Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, WF(greataxe), weapon specialization
Oakbane (Greataxe+1) +9 / 1d12+9 (3x1.5 + 1 + 2 + 2(PA -1) = 9) every round (average 15.5)
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Meta-game analysis
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Comparing the two, DaFei seemed to be a bit underpowered. Being able to boost Str by +4 to 21 or gaining 8 temporary hit points for one round as a standard action isn’t too useful in combat unless there’s opportunity for buffing. It’s good for lifting heavy objects and running over hot coals I suppose...
I originally had the Increase Strength ability grant a +2 Str per level but it was a little excessive at higher levels. Increase(Move) was originally a tier 2 ability but I realized that at this level Psionic Meditation and Psionic Weapon can produce similar results (move-equivalent boosts) so I made it tier one. I made the two Enhanced abilities part of the first rank of internal power.
Even with those adjustments Sir Haxalot is still much better vs. groups of underlings. Maybe a better comparison would be to replace cleave and great cleave with martial study: steely strike and martial stance: punishing stance but then the AC penalties are difficult to compare vs. attack power.