[BNW] Upgrades of Current Packages

["Thomas E. Reed" <tomreed@sundial.net>]

With all the talk about new Power Packages, I think it might be fair to 
talk about "upgrades" to current packages. There are some packages that 
are weak in the game sense. I mean that most players would ignore them 
and choose something more "active." For instance...

HEALER: The healer works better as an NPC. Even the D&D cleric, who 
performs similar functions, has assualt skills which makes him a more 
active character. It might go against the Hypocritical Oath for a healer 
to have Tricks like "cause disease," "cause poison" or "worsen injury," 
but it would give the healer more combat action and more activity, and 
therefore more attractive to players. At the least, giving the healer a 
bonus to damage with called shots (since she would "know" the locations 
for the most damage) would be useful.

HACKER: I'd go further than the remarks in the description that mention 
how slow hacking can be in a game session. Having seen how hacking works 
in games like Shadowrun and TORG, having a character whose sole skill is 
breaking into computers will turn off all the other players. Even with 
the "improved" system used in BNW, it doesn't work. I would give the 
hacker some intrinsic ability to manipulate electronic devices mentally 
over a reasonable range (say, 5 inches with a success on an Easy (5) 
roll). This could be very useful to counter gadgeteers in the field. To 
keep it from being too powerful, have it require a round of concentration 
without interruption; that makes it harder for the power to be a cure-all 
for tech weapons in combat.

Incidentally, I'm preparing a list (yeah, I'm checking it twice) of all 
current power packages with their associated tricks. It doesn't have all 
the details, just enough that a person can read it and choose a power 
package without gooping up all the Guide's books. The list has page 
number references to the books to make things easier to find. When it's 
finished, I'll find a nice home on the Net for it for everyone's benefit.



Tom Reed will be at The Games at MegaCon presented
by SunQuest, March 1-4, 2001 in Orlando, FL. Get
the details at http://www.megaconventon.com