A brainstorming mission carried over from the UA subforum [Archive] - Wizards Community

A brainstorming mission carried over from the UA subforum [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sinaz
08-09-05, 12:49 PM I'm toying with a weird sort of concept and just needed some brainstorming help ...

I've broken down the Ability Scores into a sort of wheel with complimenting and analogous orientations... if that doesn't make sense... think of an ability score color wheel. The only ability score that doesn't fit into the wheel (by my own choice) is CHA... which I want to be the one truly random factor of the set up (trying to make it MUCH less of a throw-away stat.)

Anyway, here are some descriptions of archetypes... I need help naming them (i.e. - which one sounds the most like a fighter, rogue, magic user, etc?) Also, think outside the box. I'm not married to the core classes, and I don't particularly see a need for there to be, say... a wizard AND a sorcerer. If you have a better catch-all idea or name for an archetype, just tag it in... it's a brainstorm and I'll filter everything once I think I have some good material.

Here we go:

Analogous Archetypes

STRENGTH - complimented by Dex and Con, lacking Int and Wis
"A physical powerhouse with bolstering dexterity and resiliance, this archetype is well suited to melee, but also proficient with ranged attacks. Both athletic and acrobatic, his body has been honed to peak performance. His only weaknesses are his mental facilities. Underdeveloped, and not very intuitive, this archetype is, by no means, a scholar."

CONSTITUTION - complimented by Str and Wis, lacking Int and Dex
"This particular archetype is a paragon of inner strength. One might call it mind over matter, but he is particularly resiliant, ignoring pain and focusing on his task. His awareness compliments his physical might, which both seem to be powered by his will to succeed. He doesn't rely on book smarts at all and is not terribly careful about avoiding taking a hit or extending his reach in combat."

WISDOM - complimented by Int and Con, lacking Dex and Str
"This exacting individual epitomizes awareness, picking out detail and clues, then piecing it all together into knowledge through careful reasoning. This archetype boasts a powerful mind that might be able to accomplish more than is natural. Seeing his mind as the weapon it is, he spends little time developing his strength or speed, letting others take care of the more savage skills."

INTELLEGENCE - complimented by Dex and Wis, lacking Str and Con
"Smart, quick, and willful, this crafty individual is good with his hands - using them to facilitate the ends that he seeks. He is strong with his ideas, motivation and ability to reason. Unfortunately he lacks brawn and the ability to bounce back from injury, so close combat is not is forte."

DEXTERITY - complimented by Str and Int, lacking Wis and Con
"This spry devil is exceptionally quick to avoid a blade while fighting with the finesse and belying power to overcome many a larger foe. He makes great use of cunning and speed against the slower brute. One might say that he has tunnel vision though, more attune to escaping a fight than finding it. That and he lacks the endurance to stick to a fight til its end."

Complimentary Archetypes

STRENGTH - complimented by Int and Wis, lacking Dex and Con
"Strong, willful, and smart, this archetype focuses on a strategic edge in battle. He relies on his strength to carry him through trials that involve wit and awareness, plus a certain level of reasoning. He focuses on precise, calculated strikes and exploiting his opponents' weaknesses. Range, acrobatics, and stamina are the only disceplines he lacks."

CONSTITUTION - complimented by Dex and Int, lacking Str and Wis
"This one is all about outlasting his opponent. He can out wait any enemy, suffer more damage than any enemy, and can easily outwit any enemy. He learns patterns and attacks from afar. Lacking much brute force or the capacity to track, this cool and collected individual relies on learned intel to get things accomplished."

WISDOM - complimented by Str and Dex, lacking Int and Con
"Intuitive, and skilled both in close and ranged combat, this archetype prefers the hunt. He has keen senses, and a way with people. Remaining on the move is key, as he lacks the patience to sit and wait or study into obstacles - making his actions quick decisive instincts."

INTELLEGENCE - complimented by Str and Con, lacking Dex and Wis
"This archetype is a strategist at heart. He has a wealth of knowledge at his aid, and the ability to fight should someone challenege him. He has a focus that grants him a peculiar edge in spellcraft should he have to compliment his sword with the arcane. Ranged weapons aren't entirely in his vocabulary, nor is he able to take a more worldy view of things. Single minded, might be a good word to describe him."

DEXTERITY - complimented by Con and Wis, lacking Int and Str
"He's quick and nimble with the stamina and acute senses to keep him tirelessly on the move. He has little need for strength because his enemies can barely touch him... and even if they manage, he's quick to shake off the injury, dip into a blind spot, and leap back into action. He prefers, ultimately, to trust his instinct over his reason."

...ok... that's all I got. I'd like to get some feedback and some discussion, now.

There's essentially 10 archetypes here that may equate into classes... vs. the 11 core classes, I think this might be an interesting exercise in balancing them.

And thanks for any feedback, by the way.
Particle_Man
08-09-05, 05:12 PM You really should check out Castles and Crusades, by Troll Lord Games. They have something like this, called Primes.
Sinaz
08-09-05, 05:26 PM Where's that? Do I have to buy it?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sinaz 08-09-05, 12:49 PM	I'm toying with a weird sort of concept and just needed some brainstorming help ... I've broken down the Ability Scores into a sort of wheel with complimenting and analogous orientations... if that doesn't make sense... think of an ability score color wheel. The only ability score that doesn't fit into the wheel (by my own choice) is CHA... which I want to be the one truly random factor of the set up (trying to make it MUCH less of a throw-away stat.) Anyway, here are some descriptions of archetypes... I need help naming them (i.e. - which one sounds the most like a fighter, rogue, magic user, etc?) Also, think outside the box. I'm not married to the core classes, and I don't particularly see a need for there to be, say... a wizard AND a sorcerer. If you have a better catch-all idea or name for an archetype, just tag it in... it's a brainstorm and I'll filter everything once I think I have some good material. Here we go: Analogous Archetypes STRENGTH - complimented by Dex and Con, lacking Int and Wis "A physical powerhouse with bolstering dexterity and resiliance, this archetype is well suited to melee, but also proficient with ranged attacks. Both athletic and acrobatic, his body has been honed to peak performance. His only weaknesses are his mental facilities. Underdeveloped, and not very intuitive, this archetype is, by no means, a scholar." CONSTITUTION - complimented by Str and Wis, lacking Int and Dex "This particular archetype is a paragon of inner strength. One might call it mind over matter, but he is particularly resiliant, ignoring pain and focusing on his task. His awareness compliments his physical might, which both seem to be powered by his will to succeed. He doesn't rely on book smarts at all and is not terribly careful about avoiding taking a hit or extending his reach in combat." WISDOM - complimented by Int and Con, lacking Dex and Str "This exacting individual epitomizes awareness, picking out detail and clues, then piecing it all together into knowledge through careful reasoning. This archetype boasts a powerful mind that might be able to accomplish more than is natural. Seeing his mind as the weapon it is, he spends little time developing his strength or speed, letting others take care of the more savage skills." INTELLEGENCE - complimented by Dex and Wis, lacking Str and Con "Smart, quick, and willful, this crafty individual is good with his hands - using them to facilitate the ends that he seeks. He is strong with his ideas, motivation and ability to reason. Unfortunately he lacks brawn and the ability to bounce back from injury, so close combat is not is forte." DEXTERITY - complimented by Str and Int, lacking Wis and Con "This spry devil is exceptionally quick to avoid a blade while fighting with the finesse and belying power to overcome many a larger foe. He makes great use of cunning and speed against the slower brute. One might say that he has tunnel vision though, more attune to escaping a fight than finding it. That and he lacks the endurance to stick to a fight til its end." Complimentary Archetypes STRENGTH - complimented by Int and Wis, lacking Dex and Con "Strong, willful, and smart, this archetype focuses on a strategic edge in battle. He relies on his strength to carry him through trials that involve wit and awareness, plus a certain level of reasoning. He focuses on precise, calculated strikes and exploiting his opponents' weaknesses. Range, acrobatics, and stamina are the only disceplines he lacks." CONSTITUTION - complimented by Dex and Int, lacking Str and Wis "This one is all about outlasting his opponent. He can out wait any enemy, suffer more damage than any enemy, and can easily outwit any enemy. He learns patterns and attacks from afar. Lacking much brute force or the capacity to track, this cool and collected individual relies on learned intel to get things accomplished." WISDOM - complimented by Str and Dex, lacking Int and Con "Intuitive, and skilled both in close and ranged combat, this archetype prefers the hunt. He has keen senses, and a way with people. Remaining on the move is key, as he lacks the patience to sit and wait or study into obstacles - making his actions quick decisive instincts." INTELLEGENCE - complimented by Str and Con, lacking Dex and Wis "This archetype is a strategist at heart. He has a wealth of knowledge at his aid, and the ability to fight should someone challenege him. He has a focus that grants him a peculiar edge in spellcraft should he have to compliment his sword with the arcane. Ranged weapons aren't entirely in his vocabulary, nor is he able to take a more worldy view of things. Single minded, might be a good word to describe him." DEXTERITY - complimented by Con and Wis, lacking Int and Str "He's quick and nimble with the stamina and acute senses to keep him tirelessly on the move. He has little need for strength because his enemies can barely touch him... and even if they manage, he's quick to shake off the injury, dip into a blind spot, and leap back into action. He prefers, ultimately, to trust his instinct over his reason." ...ok... that's all I got. I'd like to get some feedback and some discussion, now. There's essentially 10 archetypes here that may equate into classes... vs. the 11 core classes, I think this might be an interesting exercise in balancing them. And thanks for any feedback, by the way.
Particle_Man 08-09-05, 05:12 PM	You really should check out Castles and Crusades, by Troll Lord Games. They have something like this, called Primes.
Sinaz 08-09-05, 05:26 PM	Where's that? Do I have to buy it?