Beginning Character Stats as of Version 0.1.45

[dilz669]

For those interested, attached is a small spreadsheet I did with the starting stats for each character type. It is current as of version 0.1.45.

Cory, not to step all over your creative vision or anything, but shouldn't the more cerebral character types maybe have higher mental attributes than physical attributes? I see it reflected in the skills but the attributes are the same for all character types.

Also, I noticed they all start with the same gear except the CyberSword has Knucklers instead of the Light Fire gun. What about some greater variation in the starting gear? It seems to me that the Sniper should have a rifle, Hacker should have a DataPort, AgentEX should have a Maglock Passkey, etc.

Just my thoughts. Keep up the good work. Loving the fast updates.

Attachments:

[Cory Trese]

dilz669 -- I try really hard to never get worried when people suggest improvements to our creative vision. some of them fit, some of them are way better than the stuff i came up with.

Love the idea of changing out the gear. Lets take it 1 character class at a time.

How about start with the sniper's starting equipment. I like the rifle idea. So, probably lower accuracy and ammo, but longer range than starting pistoL?

[Cory Trese]

Regarding starting attributes. We are about to (like, tonight) release the female PC which has a different set of attributes.

So Character + Class will be Attributes + Skills.

Therefore, some characters will be better suited for starting out as various classes.

[monkeyrogue]

I mentioned this a long while back, glad to see you're ready to begin talking more about it.

[dilz669]

Ok, so for Sniper. My first question would be, do all the rifles require 'Heavy Ammo'? If they do then I would say do longer range, smaller clip size, leave everything else the same for the weapon (as far as the accuracy, generally rifles are more accurate than pistols). The Heavy Ammo is a lot more expensive and the mobs don't seem to drop it. And, the sniper starts with no points in Brawling (makes sense) but that means they are going to be relying almost exclusively on their gun. So, that I think is a huge disadvantage. If you made a rifle that used the regular ammo, like a cheap hunting rifle or something, there by taking away the expensive and rare ammo disadvantage maybe you could trade out the starting armor coat for a less armored set of camo (urban camo obviously) or something. So, basically, slightly better gun for slightly worse armor.

[Cory Trese]

monkeyrogue -- definitely aware that you brought this up on:
startradersrpg.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ckrpgtalk&thread=831&page=1

we're getting back to I think having a good set of starting equipment mapped out and now we should start applying it. the more differentiation the classes exhibit the more replay we'll be able to get.

[monkeyrogue]

With specializations this will all start to gel. I've gotten into the habit of sitting back and waiting. I've some ideas on the face though.

[Cory Trese]

Yeah I am always concerned about how far behind the "idea curve" the actual game is, but I just have to hold myself back sometimes and focus on being stable, being balanced and being fun. We have the next year to rock out crazy advanced features and get really into the modes of play.

I think one thing we all love about ST is the multitude of ways to play the game. I hope we can capture all of that and move in CK.

[spectre]

This is genius, and frankly something I really loved about ST. Everybody gets an interesting starting ship, or in this case a cyber deck and pistol or sniper rifle... I just bought my second computer as a hacker, lasted me a while but totally necessary. The equipment is alot of the fun of this game.

[Cory Trese]

Andrew and I certainly spent the first week or just talking about this topic -- "How many ways can this game be fun?"

Recognizing that the Knight is Ship+Captain, we knew that the Cyber Knight had to be a complex, multi-faceted beast.

Worn Equipment, Carried Gear, Weapons, Computers, Implants, Loader, Programs and Team were the starting point it is clear that the Knight needs cargo, upgrades, weapons, friends, officers, alliances, enemies, quests, risk, etc, etc.

"so deep the player has to swim out."

[moody]

A few thoughts jump into my head. I usually tend to play as a sniper in a number of games; hence me jumping at this class to begin with.

How about a rifle + pistol at the start and no close combat weapons. The pistol could still stay as the lightfire. This would keep things a little more balanced (well in my mind it would). Followed up with a mid/close ranged rifle, something with a degree of accuracy but short ranged. Could still require heavy ammo (so you choose tacticly when to pull the trigger).

If you wanted to go down the rifle with pistol rounds route then you could have it requiring you to reload after every shot, much like a bolt action rifle.

Another avenue would require a code change, and that would allow you to choose your starting equipment, from a limited pool. Not much different from the ones that we are currently issued with. Yes this could leave some new players selecting equipment that they are unable to use, but that to me is all part of the game. Along the lines of a Sniper choosing knuckles.

Last thoughts for the Sniper would be starting with a custom rifle built by yourself, that you would continue to upgrade. So adding a scope would improve accuracy, a silencer would reduce heat generated etc... Heck even something to re-chamber the type of ammo it can take!

[monkeyrogue]

I am always up for "growth" skills and items. Things that change and grow with you as you progress. One reason I loved the Earthdawn game's magic system so much. What if you based your ability to modify weapons and items on the Electronics skill as a build/repair catchall?
But each class had its own build/repair. Hackers can work their computers better, snipers their rifles, gunslingers pistols, etc.

[fallen]

moody - i will get to work on that middle of the range rifle right away! Great suggestion.

moody and monkeyrogue - cory and I will chat more about weapon / equipment upgrades. It's a pretty awesome idea, especially considering the age of dark technology we are all living in. More to come on this later I am sure!