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[Caellath]

Another thing I would like to point is the matter how much freedom to give players when GM'ing. I like the idea of giving them the tools and getting some nice (and nasty) surprises when they outgambit the GM. For example, the RTD I was going to release before deciding to start with Arcane Steel was a modern setting supernatural RTD, in which the players would either be people armed with conventional weapons (as in assault rifles, pistols) or wielding supernatural powers.
But those powers (divided into mentalist powers - suggestion, mind control, scan; and combat powers - pyrokinesis, telekinesis), would generally rely on the character's vision. I would tell them something along the lines of "it is preferred the wielder to have visual contact with that which they want to affect, as mediunic powers (even most for combat ones) modify reality as the wielder modifies the image of the object in his mind. The quality of the image also affects the outcome"
So that would give some room for some nice invention. If the players could follow the *wink wink nudge nudge*, they would probably get mediunic characters with perks linked to medical practices so they could roughly visualize and break enemies' bones. They could get also get a perk for an awesome photographic memory, which would allow them to set objects on fire or send them flying without the need for mantaining visual contact, only by looking at them once and knowing where they are. Alternatively, they could use binoculars etc.

[Dermonster]

Once you know once cerebellum, you know them all.

Telekinetic brain puree anyone?

[Caellath]

Yeah, the "quality of the image" stuff was inserted mostly because of the "but all humans are not exactly the same inside!" argument which would (rightfully) arise.

[Talarion]

That RTD sounds... interesting. Although I sense most people would be mediunic characters.

Well, atleast, I would, in that.

[Caellath]

Well, I had a way of balancing that  .

[IronyOwl]

Been playin' X-COM.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Oddly enough, I'm not sure I'd want to run a literal X-COM RTD, but a lot of the concepts are intriguing. The research is especially interesting as an advancement mechanic.

[Tarran]

Xcom certainly sounds possible. Though chances are either players will get things from the aliens too fast for a traditional Xcom experience or the game will take too long.

[IronyOwl]

Well, I would probably alter how research and such works a bit anyway, away from the "Get it once, have it forever" model to something a bit more maintenance-oriented. Among other advantages, that'd make advancement somewhat more flexible, since you can potentially get a death cannon without being able to (feasibly) make more or keep it forever.

[Toaster]

X-Com would also be hard to not make extremely long.  You'd have to either seriously cut down each encounter or just seriously revamp how the game unfolds.  Perhaps less reverse engineering and more "this squad of marines uncovers the alien secrets while killing a bunch of them?"

[Dwarmin]

I wonder if I could tackle an X-Com Rtd. 

I know the source well enough.

I'd probably keep the scope fairly small...

*mentally plans massively overblown and convoluted game doomed to epic self destruction*

[scriver]

One important thing to remember is that the players would have to be able to die. A lot. I mean, otherwise it wouldn't be X-COM.

[Toaster]

Hm.  If you felt up to it, it'd work as a stellar hybrid game.  Have the strategic side of the gameplay be handled in the FGR forum as a suggestion game, with the battles being RTDs done here.  There'd be a rotating list of marines, where anyone who dies is eligible to reenlist.

the only other thing you need is alien infiltrators being rooted out in the Mafia board

[IronyOwl]

I wonder if I could tackle an X-Com Rtd. 

I know the source well enough.

I'd probably keep the scope fairly small...

*mentally plans massively overblown and convoluted game doomed to epic self destruction*

So far so good!

Though, I imagine the default fatality rate might be a bit high for the sorts of RP-heavy games you tend to run.

One important thing to remember is that the players would have to be able to die. A lot. I mean, otherwise it wouldn't be X-COM.

Well, there's still acceptable variance in "a lot." One player every ten turns probably isn't X-COM level canon, but it's still a pretty grueling attrition rate as far as any normal RTD goes, for instance.

Hm.  If you felt up to it, it'd work as a stellar hybrid game.  Have the strategic side of the gameplay be handled in the FGR forum as a suggestion game, with the battles being RTDs done here.  There'd be a rotating list of marines, where anyone who dies is eligible to reenlist.

I dunno, I'd kind of rather have the players able to specialize or dabble in side skills, ie replacing faceless NPC support staff. That'd mostly obviate the need for overarching control. You could even have players get assigned to commander or chief research manager or box tallyer by popular assent! Until they die and are no longer allowed to give advice until they get back in, that is.

_{the only other thing you need is alien infiltrators being rooted out in the Mafia board}

Stop making this seem like a good idea.

[Tarran]

So, yeah, I'm currently slowly making Westlands 2, even though I might not run it. I figure I should ask a simple question: Does anyone think it's worth it to put in special attacks for melee character flavor? Or is it a bad idea in some way?

Here's an example of what I've got. I'll likely balance it a bit more once I remember the system I used and/or create a new one, but these are just ideas.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

General: Standard attack -Nothing special.
General: Power attack -You put more effort into a single blow. -2 to-hit, -1 to your dodging the same turn, +50% damage if it hits, staggers enemies and you if blocked with shield.
General: Feint -Faking an attack. -3 to-hit for you and your enemy this turn. Only works as long as your enemy is fooled, which isn't too long.
General: Wood chopper -Holding your weapon by both hands above your head and bringing it down on the enemy. Unable to use shield in defense in the same turn, -2 Dodging in the same turn, -3 to-hit for you, +200% damage.
General: Fury -Making multiple small attacks in place of one. +2 to-hit for you, -2 to dodging for you the same turn, -50% damage.
Sword: Parry -Blocking an attack with your sword instead of attacking. No attack, may(50% chance) disarm enemy if they use a power attack or similar, -2 to the enemy's to-hit.
Sword or Spear: Stab -Attempting to stab the enemy if using a sword, or attempting to aim at an organ with a spear. -1 to-hit, -3 dodging for you on same turn, cannot use shield on turn, may inflict a serious negative effect on enemy, swords act as a spear for the attack.
Sword or Spear: Pommel strike -Striking the enemy with the back end of your spear or sword. Does blunt damage instead of normal damage, equal to half the weight of the weapon. May catch enemy unaware (if not spammed) and inflict a minor negative effect.
Spear: Overhand strike -Holding the spear above your shoulder. 25% chance of avoiding opponent's shield, 50% more likely to deflect off an enemy's shield.
Spear: Two-handed strike - using both hands on the back end thrusting it forward as far as possible with the combined power of both arms. -2 to hit, +50% damage, staggers enemy regardless of blocked or not, staggers you if blocked with shield.

[Caellath]

Hmm...I was thinking of making a lighthearted RTD (yes, more than Arcane Steel) and with way less worries about storyline and that kind of thing.
I found the "ninja school" idea good, but then I decided to elaborate in a wacky manner. What about "Roll to be a Badass" or "School of Badass"? The premise is that you are a young (around high school young) member of any kind of badass (knight, necromancer, ninja, pirate...etc) that is thrown into the anachronic soup that the School of Superior Enhancement (School of Badass) is. Your objetive would simply to turn into a right and proper badass, and the various disciplines would be taught by different teachers, with stealth being taught by an assassin, for example (I also thought about leaving the teacher's roles to different players and have them give me their actions so we can have participation without problems about not knowing who is the one doing the updates). Fighting among the students would be cheered on, but killing each other without any permission to do so would be shunned upon.
What do you think? Also, for whoever brought the ninja school idea into play (sorry, I forgot who it was), it would be good to have a thumbs up or down so I won't be trying to steal your thunder even if this is approved by other people.
Thoughts?