Re: [BNW] First impressions

[Allan Seyberth <darious@darious.com>]

>    It really is not that hard to make up your own power packages,
especially 
>given the twenty examples given in the two core books.  All it takes is a 
>little creativity and even less work.

Correct - nor would it be hard to create a simple list of powers and have
the players pick three to build a new power package.

But if you've got to write the mechanics of the game, it thins out the
reasons to buy the product in the first place.

>Ummm... I don't propose to put words in someone else's mouth, but I think
>that he meant balanced in power, not in function.  And the comment about
>collectible RPG, I don't think that fits either.  Basically, BNW at its
>current power level is sort of like the marvel golden age.  The heroes
>each fit into discrete areas of influence.  This does not limkit them, but
>it does force you to be more creative using their powers...

I understand - I think of BNW as more of a pulp game then a superhero game.
 But even considering "power levels" - certain templates get rooked
compared to others.  Medic being the lowest, and Bargainer and Gadgeeter
being the highest.   (Bargainer and Gadgeeter have access to either/or a
wide range of powers, or a multiple group of powers at once)

And my point about the collectible RPG is more then just the limited number
of archetypes available, it also takes into account the imcomplete aspects
of the game: Bargainer, Gadgeteer and Alphas - which will all be explained
in a book to be purchased later.

I happen to like archetypes - they work well in Feng Shui.  But in Feng
Shui you get a complete set of rules int the main book.  A set of rules
that allows for great variation among the basic archetypes given.


>    if you don't want it, don't buy it.

Fair enough.  

Of course - few are the game stores that let you read a book from cover to
cover before you buy something, and even fewer still are those that will
let you return a book you've purchased if the sole reason for the return is
that "you didn't like it."


-------------------
Allan Seyberth
darious@darious.com

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Brisco (Law and Order):
For A Bagel