Just putting GURPS third edition psi in fourth edition: opinions on?
@Archbeth Volunteering? ^_^
@Archbeth ...I could also double the cost of extra power after character creation. I don't want to disallow it, but since I'm sort of thinking "100 points base, 25-50 'earned' points" that might help. But then I also want to do something involving Will, and I'm not sure how to point-balance that.
Also, hey, @InspectorCaracal, are you familiar with GURPS?
@TheShyIon @InspectorCaracal The expected amount of earned points per session needs to be taken into account, though. Doubling points after creation is viable, but leads to high-disad/low-skills characters at the start, &/or tons of Limitations, b/c you can get those normally.
@TheShyIon @InspectorCaracal Putting a max level above which Unusual Background costs are applied may work better, psychologically. You can also have tiers of UB.
(UB also tells players, subliminally, what the NPCs will be like; double-after-creation doesn't give the same "guidance.")
@Archbeth @InspectorCaracal I don't like Unusual Background except as an explicit "your background conveys you a benefit that cannot be put into other advantages", but increasing the cost after a certain power level is a useful idea.
@Archbeth @InspectorCaracal And I feel like the psychological effects of it being /called/ "Unusual Background" swing more heavily towards places I don't like than places I do.
@Archbeth @InspectorCaracal I also want to do things with psi being less entirely inborn and more a combination of certain degrees of willpower and exposure to the 'sub-universe' the FTL drive routes its jumps through, but I'm not sure what that would do to the cost of Will or...... *trails off going rrrflbl*
@TheShyIon @InspectorCaracal Another option is giving X points in Psi Potential & letting people buy it down. This sets an expectation for NPCs as well...
@TheShyIon @Archbeth somewhat familiar, let me catch up on the thread before I actually make any sort of meaningful reply <.<
@TheShyIon @Archbeth having read it all, I am not familiar enough on GURPS to give suggestions about porting a psi mechanic between versions. >.> I have an implementation idea, though.
If it's mostly an inherent quality and is fairly common, then you can just add it as an extra mechanic, or based on your comment on it, you can add an, uh, background trait? like "Exposure to FTL travel" that you buy which unlocks it, and it functions like a skill but uses straight Will instead of a skill.
@InspectorCaracal @TheShyIon @Archbeth "Unusual Background" exists for just that purpose.
@naga @TheShyIon @Archbeth if it is not unusual in the setting though...
@InspectorCaracal @TheShyIon @Archbeth I was thinking for the "unlocking" aspect. If it's not unusual, you wouldn't need to spend points to be able to buy it (if I were running).
@naga @TheShyIon @Archbeth I mean, the Unusual Background trait was already brought up in the conversation, so... it's usually a good idea to read the whole thing before trying to contribute suggestions?
@InspectorCaracal @TheShyIon @Archbeth You're right. I apologize.
@InspectorCaracal @naga @Archbeth Yeah, spending points to be able to buy it isn't the issue at hand at all. Unusual Background isn't for "fairly uncommon but well-known ability," it's for things that are outside context enough in the setting that their unusualness provides the character an advantage.
@InspectorCaracal @naga @Archbeth I'm just trying to figure out how to build the psi system to fit how I want psi to work in the setting without having the 3E point costs make it too cheap compared to other things. I'm thinking having power cost more after a certain point, like how stats worked in 3E.
@TheShyIon I'd think that would work. Major power requires a substantial investment relative to minor power.
@InspectorCaracal @Archbeth
@TheShyIon @InspectorCaracal @naga Crafting some sample characters would probably be the next step.
@TheShyIon Dunno. Could design some characters to try to break things...
@TheShyIon Worth a playtest?