What game coined "Atributes" ?

Willie the Duck · September 11, 2017, 01:10:07 PM

Quote from: jhkim;991492I think in terms of meaning "attributes" and "characteristics" both have a closer connotation for things like strength, intelligence, etc. I think "abilities" implies more broadly things that you can do - which is different than mostly-innate qualities like intelligence or charisma.

That sounds convincing, but I wonder what my 'unprimed-by-biases-instilled-by-years-of-gaming' instincts would be. Given that I could not, off the top of my head, tell you which system uses which term, I'd say I don't particularly believe for myself that there is much difference. We all know what these things mean to us. They're the characters 'numbers,' and fall somewhere between the main number (level, or ~point value for point-buy games) that tells approximate power level and the more extensive but individually less powerful numbers like skills values or saves.

Baulderstone · September 12, 2017, 06:54:20 PM

Quote from: jhkim;991492B&B calls them "characteristics". (EDITED TO ADD: Technically, "primary characteristics".)

I think in terms of meaning "attributes" and "characteristics" both have a closer connotation for things like strength, intelligence, etc. I think "abilities" implies more broadly things that you can do - which is different than mostly-innate qualities like intelligence or charisma.

Of course, my intro to roleplaying, and my first exposure to an Ability Score was Moldvay Basic D&D. It has a rule that you can resolve just about anything by rolling a d20 and getting equal or under your related Ability Score. In that game, Strength, Intelligence, etc. are for things you can do.

RPGPundit · September 16, 2017, 01:45:33 AM

Was Tunnels & Trolls prior to TFT? If so, I guess T&T is the answer.

brettmb · September 16, 2017, 02:18:18 AM

Quote from: RPGPundit;992805Was Tunnels & Trolls prior to TFT? If so, I guess T&T is the answer.

Didn't I ask that?

Shawn Driscoll · September 16, 2017, 04:46:29 AM

Characteristics are the values for attributes, if you read old-skool syfy rules. Strong, weak, smart, dumb, etc. when reading their numbers you rolled for them.

Skarg · September 16, 2017, 12:38:52 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit;992805Was Tunnels & Trolls prior to TFT? If so, I guess T&T is the answer.

Quote from: brettmb;992815Didn't I ask that?

Yes:

Quote from: brettmb;990921Tunnels and Trolls?

And yes, T&T seems to be 1975, TFT 1977.

Omega · September 16, 2017, 07:56:04 PM

My copy says 75. So T&T and MM! beat out TFT.

Dumarest · September 17, 2017, 12:16:11 AM

Just out of curiosity, Itachi, why did you ask about this? I'm just wondering what difference it makes, or if you were just curious?

Omega · September 17, 2017, 08:29:46 PM

At a guess its just curiosity who used it first.

Problem is some games use several different terms for the same thing because they arent locking down to just one. See my notes above where some were using two or even three.

Itachi · September 18, 2017, 03:39:24 PM

Quote from: Dumarest;993110Just out of curiosity, Itachi, why did you ask about this? I'm just wondering what difference it makes, or if you were just curious?

Just curious, as I find it the label that most pleases me.

So it's Tunnels and Trolls then. Thanks folks!