It's looking like rank auctioning is not a popular option, based on feedback here and on Google+. I do *not* want to force this down anyone's throat, but in this game, older means more skills and lower stats, and higher rank means older. I want to give players a chance to come in at the rank they want, without crippling them, and without putting jealousies and anger into play.
In my many military games, I have found no one gets jealous of another player character getting a higher rank if they think that player earned it. Up til now, I have been tending to bring PCs in at the same rank, and letting them earn their rank, but I was hoping to get a shortcut, so I can have a submarine start out with a PC in charge, rather than an NPC. The sub's skipper gets to "squeeze the pickle" - i.e. aim and fire the torpedoes - so starting out with an NPC skipper sort of cuts down harshly on the fun.
Maybe I should just use point buy points, cut out the optional random generation, and chalk the stat loss up to aging. i could do that, but that's boring... :D
-clash
Rank could initially be a derived stat from INT, and age? Young and stupid does not a captain make, while old and smart makes for a good captain.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe make it a group consensus thing. Make rank be how good you are at debating your merit as leader?
What makes a good submarine captain anyway? Maybe just don't tell your group what skills make for the best captain, then tally up the points, and assign the highest with captaincy?
Like, the guy with a mastery in Strategy and Leadership will beat the other characters who have Mastery in only one or the other?
Hi Ry!
ReplyDeleteI don't like Rank being determined by how you structure the character - it makes skill at structuring that character too important. However *electing* the CO and XO is a very doable idea!
-clash
Elect might be a good alternative. Old and wise usually go together but we all know not all the time. You said that it would be boring Clash to use point by points. True but they can use their saved up creativity during game play. In my group they usually decide who will be captain and xo. Not everybody wants it so they are a kind of elected position anyway.
ReplyDeleteHi Bonni!
ReplyDeleteSo far, I am listing Election, Physical Point Auction, and Non-Physical Point Auction as options. I will add any other ideas anyone may have that I think suit. :D
-clash