Angie Clever

The way I see it there are two forms of power that drive an RPG, the power of opportunity and the power of force. Whether table top, online, or live action, all RPGs, like other games, function by motivating the players. In my new TT(table top) RPG Bot Hed the players play humans stranded on an alien planet hat learn that they have the ability to control alien technology, leading them to develop bio-mechanic suits (“mechs”).

We ran our first play test tonight. I ran the game with three PCs (player characters) to keep the first go at it small and a bit easier to control. Overall, I would say the role playing mechanics worked well, and had a good balance and feel to them. I included a back-story area to let players get a hefty bonus for very specialized skill sets which really forces the PC’s to delve a little deeper into their characters and give them some personality right from the start. The combat system, and the level up system need to be completely revamped to work on a scale that applies effectively to mechs (high hit points, high power battles).

Power of Force

Giving a player force is essentially, giving a player the ability to accomplish an objective. In a combat heavy game, it can be giving the player power to survive and kill his enemies . In a money oriented game, it is giving him the power to amass money and take it from his opponents.

Balancing the force each player has is essential to creating a working game environment. The players face a variety of interactions, for example:

• Player vs Player
• Player vs Monster
• Player vs Group
• Group vs Group
• Race vs Race

In each interaction the players must have an equivalent amount of force to affect the outcome of interactions. Currently, players have forceful role playing abilities. The system lends itself to effective theatrics and character personality development. My combat system is unbalanced and needs attention. Next week I will post a revamped character sheet.

Power of Opportunity

The power of opportunity is the most significant in moving PC characters through the RPG world. The game master provides a stimulus, the PC characters react, the game master should reward them for their reaction. As such, the sense of discovery and accomplishment pervade the game. Because of the well developed back story behind Bot Hed, I feel that the storyline and opportunity offered to characters was strong.

Overall I am looking forward to making some revamps and playing again next Friday.