Barrack Room (OOC discusions).

[Spearmint]

Your forum for any out of character discussions, questions and strategy.

[Antman9]

Hi Spearmint. I downloaded the rule set, but haven't had a chance to read through it yet. I do have an interest in playing, but I'm GM-ing a new campaign that is just getting started, and playing in two others (but these are moving pretty slow).

Long story short, I'm very interested in this game, but don't want to slow the group down.

Couple of questions:

• What kind of posting rate are you thinking you'll want for this game?
• When would you like to have CharGen completed?
• When do you think you'll start the intro thread?

[Spearmint]

Ideally post at least twice a week. I like to update before and after weekends. If we are in a firefight then quicker posting is preferred so we are not waiting too long during action scenes.

Character generation is being down now so folk can complete this weekend.

Probably start some intro by Tuesday.

[Stirling]

Hi all. Just went with first roll and it suited a grenadier type character. I copied your example sheet.

I think I did his skill allocation right? By the book it is 2-4-1-3 so I used them like this.

Learned assault rifle in basic so took grenade launcher and one skill in M-79. Rolled base effects in roller for all launchers added 5 for the M-79. (2 small arms skills)

4 heavy skills, fumbled a d100=1 for LAW, guess facing tanks scare the pants of him. Took heavy machine guns and got very high so no need to specialise (93%) and took mortars with one skill in M-19. Used single H2H to upgrade bayonet fighting and used 3 non-combat skills to go 1st Aid and 2 skills in Lock Picking. (all those cars he took for a joyride!).

I think that is follows your chargen. So he is ready to roll.

[Rex]

Looks like we have a Point and Grenadier so far. I am thinking Intelligence with Demo.

[Leitz]

I had 3 skills that rolled under the minimum, so they got bumped up.

Spearmint, I chose "Montagnard" for a language, however, I'm assuming it's one of the dialects local to where ever they were going. Lemme know if it needs to change.

[Rex]

I beat your bad rolling Leitz, I had 6 under minimum. He isn't very good at what he does but he tries.

[Spearmint]

Remember you can boost stats with experience. As long as one stat is above 60 you can run a reasonable character.

I will go through folks sheets and offer adjustments as I see them. I think the character sheet actually works quite well especially in the weapons list recordings.

The issue with movement and weight seems to really only come in to play during firefights. I might simplify it so folks are not trying to divide small movement rates by large amounts to equate to a couple of steps per round.

Ah! and yes in reading the book, I found one of the scenes where a grunt cuts a 10ft' pole to trap find! Seems rpg's never change. Bonus xp to the first who makes one!

[Rex]

I find most modern RPG's to be fun because I enjoy the settings and style of play but the rules for all of them always seem a bit off. I am more knowledgeable than most when it comes to modern weapons and the weapons sections are always a funny read. I just take it as part of the game and just remember that it isn't a historical simulation or necessary realistic at all. The other thing is this is a Palladium game and they are infamous for quirky rules that make no sense (RIFTS is the classic example). House rule whatever/however to make it make a bit more sense or more streamlined and don't worry to much about it being a perfect system. My goal is just to enjoy being part of the story.

[Leitz]

I'm mostly good with at least one of three stats (33%) at a high level and a couple of skills (20-40%) being on the upper half of the bell curve. Not really for munchkin-itis but it helps me build the characterization. Diego is very alert, why is he such a lousy shot with a rifle but great with a shotgun? Why did his time with a mortar crew pay off so well? He's of mixed heritage where one side is looked down upon and the other is given stoic respect, what is he looking for? How much of his parents does he bring to the field and where does he differ? Why?

Having gamed the "heroic loner alpha male" for some time I've started enjoying "against expectation" characters. It's been said that the most dangerous position in a game is "parent of a PC"; they're always dieing before the game even gets started. The "girl next door/lover/wife/lizardess" back home is probably the second most threatened character type; always captured, under duress, and awaiting on the heroic rescue. Gender and species flexible as needed.

So Diego's dad taught him to work hard at whatever he's given. Diego did his best with the AR but hit a natural gift with shotgun and mortar. His natural predisposition to take in everything gives him a better handle on ranges, angles, and relative speed. He wants to make rank and be a better soldier because he equates that with being like his father. He also has a tender side for the looked down upon ladies. In Viet society the Montagnards are as socially ostracized as his migrant mother. It will be fun to see what happens.

[Leitz]

Are we using the advanced chargen starting on page 160? Modified by house rules, of course.

[Spearmint]

No.

I will keep it simple for now. I want to see how we can face challenges as we are, raw recruits new to the front line. I have already modified rules to enhance characters and add a bit of extra health. Perhaps a veterans challenge will happen at a later date.

[Leitz]

Spearmint, how did you get your multi-line skills on Level 0, etc?

I'm working through updating Diego.

Addendum: I think he's done, let me know if you see any issues.

[The Bindoner]

So, my sniper is pretty average with sniper's rifles, but a rather good shot with the M60... the dice are fickle.

[Rex]

That gives me an idea to propose. If we are looking for a particular type character maybe we could switch 1 set of rolls? So Bindoner could switch M60 and Sniper Rifle as an example. I was thinking of somebody who could sneak in and take out the guards quite like so maybe I would switch Pistol and Silent Movement. Just an idea, gives us a bit of control but nothing excessive.

[Leitz]

That gives me an idea to propose. If we are looking for a particular type character maybe we could switch 1 set of rolls? So Bindoner could switch M60 and Sniper Rifle as an example. I was thinking of somebody who could sneak in and take out the guards quite like so maybe I would switch Pistol and Silent Movement. Just an idea, gives us a bit of control but nothing excessive.

I am not opposed to the idea but I'd keep Diego pretty much the same. Once I start on a concept it's hard to change; ossified brain cells.

Looks like we have a pretty diverse group, looking forward to it!

[Antman9]

I was in a cabin with nearly 0 cell service all weekend. Just got my character sheet posted. Completed the basics. I'm game for changing my character to meet the needs of the group. Just went with gut instinct on this first pass.

[Spearmint]

Will go over sheets later but I think we are a well rounded, multi-skilled group. Don't worry too much about your character's starting stats as you can improve them over time. I have added a couple of non-combat skills if folk do want to reappraise character sheets but I am happy to go with what folks have chosen.

[Rex]

Do those who took the Medic as a second MOS and have the medic skill get the first aid skill as well?

[Spearmint]

Medics, both primary and secondary can get the 1st Aid Skill as a free skill. Non-medics troops can either take it as one of their allocated non-combat skills or 'buy' it as a future skill for 100xp points. It is not a skill you can upgrade with further degrees of skill level but a one-off learnable skill.

I will cut back on the Montagnards language at this point but you can learn basic French as a non-combat skill of choice.

Looks like we have some highly skilled marksmen with above 90's and a 100% effectiveness rolled!