queryluke
commented
6 years ago I think this is a really neat idea, and I wish I'd had it a year ago when it could have evolved with the system. The concept is really interesting, essentially your omni-tool has a max "load", something I've seen in other sci-fi systems (specifically, Interface Zero). It makes the player balance power and versatility. Its very similar to the spell system and prepared spell, but in 5th, preparing a higher level spell has no additional cost.
Here is how I would probably want to approach it:
- Tech users no longer learn/advance powers at specific levels
- Instead each power has a "load" cost. Minimum being 1. An advanced version of the power has a +2 (or 3) load. I.e., Standard incinerate is 1 load, but you can load an advanced version for 3 or 4.
- Your omni-tool's load increases with your level (it could either be a standard column or literally based on level, like half your level + prof bonus)
- During a short/long rest you can swap out tech powers, as long as you don't go over your load.
What I like:
- The added piece of versatility from swapping in and out spells
- The new mechanic that breaks away from learning spells
What concerns me: This is a huge step away from how the Mass Effect game classes work. Other Mass Effect TRPGs either use a progression or point buy system, which is much similar to the game. I didn't want to go down that road because it wanted spells and tech powers to feel more like 5th edition. The compromise was the "Advanced Options" and that you don't need to prepared spells. This puts Tech more in the "5th edition camp" so I'm concerned players might not like how divergent it is from the games.
That said, if I were making this game for me, and me alone, I would totally implement this new system. I like the variety and versatility it adds. But I'd like to hear feedback from others.
TheMarmotKing
bpmcpherson
I have yet to start a full review of the tech spells yet since review of lvl 3 and 4 biotic spells isn't complete yet.
However I was giving it some thought and I wanted to bring up an idea.
This may be too complicated to impliment, but I think it's worth discussing.
What if we had some sort of 'prepared spells' system for tech? The system would work like this. Your Omnitool has only so much memory to hold tech spells to use at a time. The amount of memory you have goes up each level. These spells can be switched during a rest.
This does two things. First is let tech classes learn many more spells, but still have the balance of not using all of them at any given time. Since tech spells are all, for the most part, even in terms of power, it gives versatility. Personally I think this evens the playing field with biotics that have some truly absurd high level spells.
Second, it opens the opportunity to buff certain spells and make them more powerful beyond just spending more points.
Purely as an example, we could make incinerate cost 1 memory and flame thrower cost 3. Then, buff flamethrower. So if a engi wants to use flamethrower at a lower level he can, and it will be great. but at the cost of not having nearly as many to choose from during the fight.
Doing this would require a increase in the number of spells tech classes learn, buffs/changes to most tech spells to make them scale beyond tech points spent, and figuring out a balanced tiering of memory cost.
I'm not much help on the numbers game,and this would be a look of numbers work. I am absolutely fine with dropping the idea simply because it would be a stupid amount of balancing, but I thought it interesting enough to share.