Unknown Armies Rules Modifications

[Chad Underkoffler]

[reposted from a thread on rec.games.frp.misc for comment]

===================================
In article <jsneadF7JuEn.9HE at netcom.com>, jsnead at netcom.com (John R.
Snead) wrote:

> I just picked up Unknown Armies.  I urge anyone into modern
> supernatural settings to run out and buy it asap.  It is the 
> *perfect* game for running Tim Powersesque magic.  The magic 
> and Avatar rules are excellent. 

Agreed!

> However, I'm less fond of the regular mechanics, including 
> skills and combat.  I do see any easy solution though: 
> UA used percentile dice, so does Call of Cthulhu.  Porting UA 
> to CoC is dead easy.  I have a few suggestions. 

[snip]

> Comments? 

Firstly, I'm not familiar with CoC.  Secondly, I like the skills and
combat system of UA EXCEPT:

Being a GURPS-head, I've gotten used to having a defense roll (parry,
block, or dodge), that doesn't interfere with your attack.

I've been noodling a minor modification that would allow you to match
the skill you choose as defensive against the attacker's offensive
skill. Assuming the attacker succeeds, roll against the skill you
choose to counter the attack:

* If you succeed with a margin of success less than the attacker's
attack, he hits normally.

* If you succeed with a margin of success more than the attacker's
attack, take half damage.

* If you roll an 01 OACOWA (Open A Can Of Whup-Ass), you take no damage.

So, say Bob and Juan are both Fencing. When Bob (Fencing 45%)
successfully attacks Juan (Fencing 55%) with a roll of 29, if Juan
rolls between 29 and 55, he only takes half-damage from the attack.
[(2 + 9 + 3) /2 = 7 pts, instead of 14 pts.] If he rolls anything
else, except a 01, he takes the full amount.  

This, I think keeps the general flavor of the combat system, but also
gives the defender a choice of something to do other than "dodge or
soak up damage." Now it's "dodge, soak up half-damage, or soak up
dmage."

Just my opinion.

===================================

What does the list think?


==
Chad Underkoffler [chadu at yahoo.com]
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/5751/index.html
"Hold your breath. Make a wish. Count to three."




_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com