I'm looking at homebrewing a campaign for GI Joe using the D6 system.
The way I looked at is that the the way D6 worked so well for Star Wars will work here. People are somewhat skilled at a lot of things (Han, Leia were excellent social manipulators, Han was a good pilot and a decent shot, while Leia could handle a blaster and knew how to operate space ships). Well, Joes were, too. They could do soldier-y stuff, be a forward observer, a pliot, a infiltrator, and a whole bunch of other crap.
I am stealing a couple concepts from Cartoon Action Hour in that characters can't die, but are simply out of commission (knocked out, flesh wounds) unless it's the Movie Session, in which case, everyone can die.
But I'm looking for a couple more mechanics to add.
1) I want something that will allow characters to really shine in their area of expertise. So that perhaps once a session (or anytime, really) they do something in their area, they get bonuses, stuff like that. (For example, Snow Job tracking someone across an arctic environment.) If I can lift that mechanic from someone else or if you guys have some cool ideas, I am open to hear them.
2) What would be a rank/money system? Obviously, Joes don't have to buy equipment or anything, but I would imagine that they would have to achieve a certain rank or have a number of "prestige" points built up to get outfitted with new equipment or get to start using the cool new helicopter. I might keep it as simple as assigning a number equal to experience awards for players to spend on their loadouts.
And whatever else you guys think fit the setting/system that adds to the fun!
Quote from: KazAnd whatever else you guys think fit the setting/system that adds to the fun!
I'd probably go with broad attributes themed for Cartoon "Spec Ops" that is rather than simple Dexterity/X D6 varient, I'd make it be very broad--since you default to this trait for most things. Then skills would be your ordinary "Specialties", like everyone who uses Guns well, takes the skill--not just to use them, that falls back to the stat. Then for specializations like uber GI joe ones--like Sci Fi's laser--you buy them a specialization in that item/skill.
So for Sci Fi you'd have
Dex 4D
-Guns 6d+2
Laser Rifles 9d+2
(or whatever a specialty gives...)
This should make some DARN effective characters. Just don't assume an attribute means only raw ability, but trained basic skills with that attributes use.
I'd also use character points rather liberally, making them a bit more common (like Buffy Drama Points) and alow the GM to use them as a reward for moments of fiat. "You are surrounded and captured..no way to escape" take a character point. That way you reward them for accepting a plot genre driven effect (and say, yes you can escape..)
That's an excellent idea, Silverlion. I like it a lot.
So, maybe a "Military Operations" attribute, that would contain, Demolitions, Heavy Weapons, Sidearms, et al.
Is that something like what you meant?
Quote from: KazWell, Joes were, too. They could do soldier-y stuff, be a forward observer, a pliot, a infiltrator, and a whole bunch of other crap.
As you can see here (http://joes.propadeutic.com/1987.html), most GI Joes were listed with two MOSes, which, combined with military stuff, gives you the basic character skills. Get a copy of the "Order of Battle" comics, if you don't have them already but if you search that web site, it's a good substitute.
Quote from: KazI am stealing a couple concepts from Cartoon Action Hour in that characters can't die, but are simply out of commission (knocked out, flesh wounds) unless it's the Movie Session, in which case, everyone can die.
Like Duke falling into a coma in the GI Joe Movie? Ugh.
Quote from: KazThat's an excellent idea, Silverlion. I like it a lot.
So, maybe a "Military Operations" attribute, that would contain, Demolitions, Heavy Weapons, Sidearms, et al.
Is that something like what you meant?
Along that lines yeah. Albeit you may want to decide how broken up you want it to be.
Quote from: John MorrowLike Duke falling into a coma in the GI Joe Movie? Ugh.
Word is, he was gonna die. But Transformers came out the summer (year?) previous and so many people were upset about Optimus Prime dying, they had to change it. But the production was already done, so he was unkilled badly. "He's gone into a coma!"
Reading back over the comics I have here, I have realized that the comic book was far closer to reality than the cartoon. (No mystical laser weapons and people died. In fact, the first one I looked back at was the death of Sneak Peak!) So, I might have the combat be as deadly as normal.
Any other ideas out there?
Quote from: KazAny other ideas out there?
Seriously, use the Primary MOS and Secondary MOS from those character lists along with general military skill and possibly a background as the basis for character creation.
How would that work? Particular skill sets for each MOS?
Quote from: KazHow would that work? Particular skill sets for each MOS?
Make each MOS a broad skill and add some new ones to fill things out. GI Joe uses the MOSes to differentiate characters and provide them a niche, that's why they are listed that way. I don't think it really needs to be broken down more than that. Do you have a good reason why you need the skills to be more finely grained? If you do have a good reason or want a more traditional or realistic game, then, yes, I'd make a list of skill sets by MOS to pick as packages. Basically, you need to encourage the players to create characters that fill a niche (some of them get pretty specialized) rather than generalists because that's what GI Joe's focus is.