Action Point based combat: What´s your take on it?

Settembrini · May 04, 2007, 05:39:54 AM

@Pierce: Althouzgh I´m filled with endless envy for your copy of Azhanti High Lightning, I must tell you that I bought me my shrinkwrapped Mayday and Snapshot boxes for 5€ each in Essen.
There are times when I profit from German audiences general ignorance. Like when I bought Invasion: Earth and Fifth Frontier War (both unpunched) in a bundle for a mere 50€.

Pierce Inverarity · May 04, 2007, 01:30:23 PM

Quote from: SettembriniInvasion: Earth and Fifth Frontier War (both unpunched) in a bundle for a mere 50€.

I'd like to punch YOU for that. I plunked down US$15 for the bloody AHL manual alone (lost the original one years ago, and I REFUSE to work with xeroxes or reprints).

Marco · May 04, 2007, 07:00:15 PM

I like AP's--when executed in a reasonable way the give an elegant way to handle:
1. Faster characters (they may get more actions)
2. Tactical trade-offs (a heavier strike might cost more AP's than a lighter one)
3. Resource allocation in combat that everyone uses (they represent a character-based resource rather than, say, equipment-base like healing potions or niche-based, like spell-points)

So I like that. It's not the only way to do it--but it's a good one.

-Marco

Settembrini · May 04, 2007, 07:04:05 PM

Quotexeroxes or reprints).

Man, you must have been in the US for quite some time. You totally lost your accent.

Pierce Inverarity · May 04, 2007, 07:31:17 PM

Quote from: SettembriniMan, you must have been in the US for quite some time. You totally lost your accent.

What can you do, you need to make yourself understood to Homeland Security and the undergrads.

But that's nothing--remember that Spiegel story about the black professor of Frisian languages who spoke platt with the natives? Now that's acculturation.

Settembrini · May 05, 2007, 04:48:22 AM

Oh boy, Homeland Security!

I was (and basically still am) a firm and staunch believer in US-professionalism in regards to all kinds of organied violence/security. Then I met Homeland Security on Airports in 2005.

Just. Amazing.

Pierce Inverarity · May 05, 2007, 12:28:09 PM

I had a little five-hour chat with Homeland Security at JFK once. It felt like Lisbon or Martinique in 1942.

Sosthenes · May 05, 2007, 02:11:32 PM

Quote from: Pierce InverarityIt felt like Lisbon or Martinique in 1942.

You're that old?

Pierce Inverarity · May 05, 2007, 02:38:01 PM

Older than the hills, kid. You really don't know what Trystero means, do you...

Jeffrey Straszheim · May 05, 2007, 03:02:07 PM

Quote from: SettembriniOh boy, Homeland Security!

I was (and basically still am) a firm and staunch believer in US-professionalism in regards to all kinds of organied violence/security. Then I met Homeland Security on Airports in 2005.

Just. Amazing.

Sadly, it remains a great embarassment to us.

Emryys · May 05, 2007, 07:59:19 PM

One of the main problems I've found with AP systems is the endless list of actions and how much they cost, and it varying depending on circumstance. If these could be streamlined, so they could be either memorized easily or perhaps grouped, they could become more managable...

Marco · May 05, 2007, 08:06:44 PM

Quote from: EmryysOne of the main problems I've found with AP systems is the endless list of actions and how much they cost, and it varying depending on circumstance. If these could be streamlined, so they could be either memorized easily or perhaps grouped, they could become more managable...

I agree--I think that having a *lot* of standardization helps--but if you don't vary things up a bit you're losing a major tool (in the system I wrote most strikes are 5 action points--but kicks are 6). Charts help. Learning curve helps--but ultimately this is one of the drawbacks.

-Marco

Emryys · May 05, 2007, 08:14:02 PM

Quote from: Marco...I think that having a *lot* of standardization helps--but if you don't vary things up a bit you're losing a major tool...

Just have to hit that elusive "sweet spot"...