Snark Karma

Discussion of GMing 1879. Warning: Here there be spoilers!
Slimcreeper
Posts:1061
Joined:Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:44 pm
Re: Snark Karma

Post by Slimcreeper » Fri Mar 27, 2020 8:22 pm

Here are my initial thoughts. I still don't know if proposed abilities would be in addition to the vision enhancements, substitutions, a range of options, or what. Balance between the races is not the ultimate goal, but basic parity is desirable. It's mostly a thought experiment - I don't know that I'd ever actually make these changes <grin>

Racial Abilities
Hulk
Hulks would be challenging to make interesting, RP wise, at least to me, and they have a lot of penalties on their basic build.
Attributes -1
Move +1
Karma Mod -3
Karma Die -2
Sum: -5
Abilities
Tail Combat (Attack and Parry)
Armor (3)
Proposed Abilities
Bite and Claw (Unarmed Combat. Damage Str +2)
Bloodlust (Successful Bite and Claw attack triggers Bloodlust. Must use Aggressive Attack, gains Resist Pain 2 until the end of combat)
Feats of Strength (+2 to any Strength-only test for 1 strain)
Forbidding Size (+2 to Intimidation tests and +2 to resist Intimidation)

Kistalmi
Base mechanics-wise, these are probably the best race.

Attributes +4
Move 0
Karma Mod -2
Karma Die -1
Sum: +1
Abilities
Tail Combat (Attack and Parry)
Gliding
Proposed Liability
Unusual Physiology (Cannot wear any armor with an Initiative Penalty)

Saurid
I think they are basically pretty good, although it's weird their neatest ability is sort of hidden.
Attributes +3
Move 0
Karma Mod -2
Karma Die -1
Sum: 0
Abilities
Tail Attack (Attack and Parry)
Swimming Ability (Normal move when swimming. Can hold breath for 10 minutes)

Troll
I like them, although I don't know that the mechanics really emphasis their power.

Attributes +6
Move +1
Karma Mod -3
Karma Die -2
Sum: +2
Abilities
Heat Sight
Liability
Social Disadvantage
Proposed Abilities
Feats of Strength (+2 to any Strength-only test for 1 strain)
Forbidding Size (+2 to Intimidation tests and +2 to resist Intimidation)
Proposed Liabilities
LGF Scandal (Serious, dropping SL by one. Temporary penalties can be considered past.)

Snark
Pro
Attributes +1
Move 0
Karma Mod -1
Karma Die -2
Sum: -2
Abilities
Low-light
Iron Stomach
Liability
Social Disadvantage
Proposed Abilities
Iron Constitution (+2 vs all poison and disease)
Passion (As Gahad)
Proposed Liabilities
LGF Scandal (Serious, dropping SL by one. Temporary penalties can be considered past.)

Elf
Attributes +1
Move +1
Karma Mod -2
Karma Die -1
Sum: -1
Abilities
Low-Light
Social Advantage
Proposed Abilities
Synaesthesia (+2 to tests to investigation)
Forceful Personality (Use the greater of Willpower or Charisma for making Interaction tests.)

Dwarf
Attributes +3
Move -1
Karma Mod -2
Karma Die -1
Sum: -1
Abilities
Heat Sight
Proposed Abilities
Mechanical Awareness (+2 to get information about mechanical devices)
Low Center of Gravity (+2 vs Knockdown)
Proposed Liabilities
LGF Scandal (Moderate, dropping SL by one. Temporary penalties can be considered past.)

Human
Attributes 0
Move 0
Karma Mod 0
Karma Die 0
Sum: 0
Abilities
Social Advantage

ChrisDDickey
Posts:1011
Joined:Sun Nov 27, 2016 10:02 pm

Re: Snark Karma

Post by ChrisDDickey » Sat Mar 28, 2020 2:28 pm

My initial reaction, without thinking deeply, is that most of the bonuses are large and very specific, resulting in them being both too useful to some professions, and utterly useless to others.

Mechanical Awareness is a large bonus, such that anybody playing a brassman or Byron (and maybe certain flavors of Weird Scientist and Thief) should never consider anything but a Dwarf. Yet the bonus is pretty useless for anybody who does not specialize in devices, which means there is little or no advantage in being a dwarf for ... well any other profession.

Same with Elf and investigator, journalist, etc. Except that the Investigation bonus might be interpreted so broadly that adventures that focus on investigations would be a constant bonus to just about everything. Where in an exploration or combat focused campaign might be more rarely used.

alicebobby
Posts:9
Joined:Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:20 am

Re: Snark Karma

Post by alicebobby » Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:28 am

I suppose it would depend on whether retro bowl college or not options were offered for every sight adjustment or accessory.

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