NationStates Jolt Archive

The problem: I play the Star Wars roleplaying-game. In the updated version, droids can be PCs. One of the players is reading the the tale of IG-88, and wants to be an IG model. We have IG-88's statisics in the rebellion era source-book. The player wants to be as good as IG-88 at level one. Unless I give him scores much higher then avarage, this is impossible. We already worked out how he could become one: some pirates, or mercenaries, or whatever stole the plans for the droid and built him. PLEASE someone tell me how to work this out!

The problem: I play the Star Wars roleplaying-game. In the updated version, droids can be PCs. One of the players is reading the the tale of IG-88, and wants to be an IG model. We have IG-88's statisics in the rebellion era source-book. The player wants to be as good as IG-88 at level one. Unless I give him scores much higher then avrage, this is impossible. We already worked out how he could become one: some pirates, or mercenaries, or whatever stole the plans for the droid and built him. PLEASE someone tell me how to work this out!
It sounds like you've already sorted that one. Or do you mean he needs an excuse to have his character start at three or four times the experience of everybody else's character?

I need an excuse for him to have much better scores then avarage.

I need an excuse for him to have much better scores then avarage.
Some sort of one off, uncopiable mistake made while assembling the robot?

Actually I love that idea. But what ability score? Here is IG-88's Statisics: Str 17 (+3), Dex 17 (+3), Con 17 (+3), Int 11 (+1), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 14 (+2). He is level 14, so that means that he has gained four more ability points after level one 1 per every 4 levels.He would still have very good abilities at level one. Which abilities should we drop?

Actually I love that idea. But what ability score? Here is IG-88's Statisics: Str 17, Dex 17, Con 17, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 14. He is level 14, so that means that he has gained four more ability points after level one 1 per every 4 levels.He would still have very good abilities at level one. Which abilities should we drop?
All of them, as much as you can without upsetting the player, I'd imagine.

Thanks for the help! I'll try to do it without making him "feel like an IG-72."

Thanks for the help! I'll try to do it without making him "feel like an IG-72."
I would honestly try to drop the stats a bit, otherwise his character's just going to be grotesque by the time it reaches level 14 itself...

What's more is droids have the ability to upgrade themselves without XP.

What's more is droids have the ability to upgrade themselves without XP.
In which case he'll be able to start hiking his stats after playing a couple of sessions anyway.

Yes, of course it's expensive.

I wouldn't let him. It's plus/minusing and Monty Halling. You're either doing a level one game where everyone starts off at level one or you're doing a level 14 game. If you're a story player it's not as big a deal because that really won't come into play as often (which is my prefered play) but if you're a combat player then you've skewed the whole deal. Either your encounters will be a cake walk for that one character mowing through things or the ecounters are gauged up for the IG character and the others get plowed by encounters over thier head.

Obviously there are narrative tricks around these problems but why put yourself through it? The explination of the IG came after the desire to have one that powerful, it didn't generate from a story that player wanted to explore. You're entertaining someone putting a 'game shark' on a pencil and paper game.

I need an excuse for him to have much better scores then avarage.

Why? Won't the other players then end up being cannon fodder? You may end up with a "Send IG in," situation, or the opposition will be too tough for the others.

Better idea: have him start at 1st level as a droid who's taken heavy damage -- then as he gains experience he can repair/upgrade.

You're playing a role-playing game. You see where you've gone wrong already, right? :D

The problem: I play the Star Wars roleplaying-game. In the updated version, droids can be PCs. One of the players is reading the the tale of IG-88, and wants to be an IG model. We have IG-88's statisics in the rebellion era source-book. The player wants to be as good as IG-88 at level one. Unless I give him scores much higher then avarage, this is impossible. We already worked out how he could become one: some pirates, or mercenaries, or whatever stole the plans for the droid and built him. PLEASE someone tell me how to work this out!

There's a simple, elegant solution to this. Tell him "no". :rolleyes:

Actually I love that idea. But what ability score? Here is IG-88's Statisics: Str 17, Dex 17, Con 17, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 14. He is level 14, so that means that he has gained four more ability points after level one 1 per every 4 levels.He would still have very good abilities at level one. Which abilities should we drop?
Um, I've rolled stats like that in one or two games. Not impossible, but then d6's just like me. As for which stats to drop the 4 points from, 2 out of wisdom, 1 out of strength, and one out of constitution. Reasoning is simple, the points in STR and CON could have been optional upgrades and the WIS would have been from time spent interacting with living beings.

Um, I've rolled stats like that in one or two games. Not impossible, but then d6's just like me. As for which stats to drop the 4 points from, 2 out of wisdom, 1 out of strength, and one out of constitution. Reasoning is simple, the points in STR and CON could have been optional upgrades and the WIS would have been from time spent interacting with living beings.
I don't think anybody understands. Even if I took three (FOUR WAS A SCREW UP, DO THE MATH YOURSELF) points away, and make him like IG-88 was at first level, his scores are STILL way too high.

I don't think anybody understands. Even if I took four points away, and make him like IG-88 was at first level, his scores are STILL way high.

I understand, and I'm gonna say don't let him do it, otherwise you just have a character thats more powerful than all of your other players, and everyone else gets resentful. Make him Point-Buy like everyone else

If he's DEAD set on playing a character with maddening ability scores, make him take a disadvantage for it. For each +2 out of standard point buy, give him something interesting. His frame was built incredibly well, but it weighs a shit-ton: Cut his speed in half. No malfunction for the better is perfect, and his sensors have trouble determining distance: Give him -4 on ranged attack rolls. He's overwhelmed by sensory input and doesn't react as fast as he should in combat: -6 to iniative checks, -10 to init when suprised. Go from there.

I personally, would just tell your player to buck up and take normal stats, and screw him if he doesn't

I don't think anybody understands. Even if I took three (FOUR WAS A SCREW UP, DO THE MATH YOURSELF) points away, and make him like IG-88 was at first level, his scores are STILL way too high.
? What ability modifiers does IG88 have? The ability stats themselves are perfectly achievable through rolling. Especially if you roll stats so that if the lowest two dies match you reroll them. Then there's what's known as exploding the dice, which occurs when you get 4 sixes. I've had that happen twice among the thirty or so d20 system games I've played with every game allowing three stats columns to choose from. I really fail to see the major problem I suppose. Ratchet up your campaign difficulty if you're that bothered by it. The DM both decides whats allowed and is the one who sets the tone. Inevitably if you allow special characters, it will mean more planning on your part to get the same flow out of the game as if everyone had used standard characters. How much better are his ability scores in comparison to everyone else. That's really the biggest factor.

I understand, and I'm gonna say don't let him do it, otherwise you just have a character thats more powerful than all of your other players, and everyone else gets resentful. Make him Point-Buy like everyone else
Ah, a point-buy system. The one for pansies who have bad luck.