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Transhuman Alternate Character Generation Methods

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Thu, 2014-07-10 18:27

CodeBreaker CodeBreaker's picture

Transhuman Alternate Character Generation Methods

So I have been away from the forums for a long time, almost a year really. I basically left when Transhuman was released, I stopped running EP and the posters I enjoyed weren't posting anymore, so not much reason to stick around. But now I am running a new online game! Hurrah! So a quick question to you lot; Are the character generation methods included in Transhuman reasonable? I remember doing some tinkering with them during the play test, but I never ran a game with them. Do they push out balanced characters? Can you safely mix and match them within a group? Is one better than the other?

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Thu, 2014-07-10 19:17

Evilnerf

In my experience, players go

In my experience, players go for the core book system because its a bit more instinctive, I think.

Thu, 2014-07-10 19:51

DrewDavis

Keep in mind that the package

Keep in mind that the package creation system gives you 20 extra CP at chargen and the Lifepath - like all great random character generation systems - can give you wildly unbalanced characters. Neither of which are huge problems (Just give people using the standard system 1100 CP at chargen and don't let anyone using lifepath reroll). There shouldn't be too much of a problem mixing them based on player preference unless your campaign has a pressing reason not to. With balance out of the way each system has it's own advantages: The standard system is great when you already have a fleshed out concept and just need to stat that character up. The package system is easier for beginners and works well if you only have a rough concept of the type of character you want to play. Lifepath is just wacky. If you have no idea what you want to play, let the dice decide. Whatever you roll it won't be boring. (As an aside we need a place on these forums we can dump our craziest Artificial Conception characters.) One isn't really better then the other, it's about using the right system in the right situation.

Thu, 2014-07-10 20:38

kindalas

I'm a fan of the Corebook

I'm a fan of the core book system. But with new players what I did last time was go through the random generation system with them, take notes and then build character the regular way for them. That way I knew that the group was "balanced" with regards to spotlight time for the players. And it let me put in some fancy morph graphics and typed in background stuff and looked all professional. Apparently new players like shiny things. Experienced players on the other hand expect shiny. But I have also been re-building the excel sheet to include transhuman for the past year for my free time so I'm biased to the core book system.

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Thu, 2014-07-10 21:59

uwtartarus uwtartarus's picture

My players enjoy the Lifepath

My players enjoy the Lifepath and helps with their lack of hyper familiarity with the setting. I build all my NPCs with the Package Point system, it is so damn fast and easy. I love it the most. I personally wouldn't choose the Lifepath system for building my own character unless it was the GM's plan to make me use it.

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Exhuman, and Humanitarian.

Thu, 2014-07-10 23:51

Leetsepeak Leetsepeak's picture

Package is definitely the

Package is definitely the least fiddly and the best for new people. Vanilla and Lifepath should only be used when you're more fully acquainted with the system. I find Package strikes the perfect balance between playing what I want and seeing what pieces I can fit together.

Fri, 2014-07-11 02:01

nerol-1

Packaging, best choise for beginners

Ciao Only 1 of the 4 friends I play with had familiarity with the setting and we both agreed that the packaging system was the best choise for beginners. For the next campaign we will create new characters and I will suggest the basic system, adding some CP points, but my players will be free to decide to use the method they prefer. It will be interesting see what method they will choose :-) ciao

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il NeRo www.sentinellefirewall.blogspot.it The blog about the adventures of 4 Italian Sentinels

Fri, 2014-07-11 09:49

RickJonzz

The Package System is nice

The Package System is nice starting point. I made a few characters using the Package System, and then started using it as a base to make sure I covered various bases when making a character. I still don't know if I'd make a character from scratch. The lifepath system made me a couple of really wonky characters when I tried it, but I know that some folks love 'em.