The VP Problem

It's still a headache that some of us don't want to deal with.

I just want to pilot a machine and not have to worry about if I've put enough points into my shooting stat or whatever. Or if I'll pilot like a Windam pilot because I haven't put enough into piloting, or if I'll lose a melee engagement because I've neglected melee, or if I'll be weaker because I've generalized. It's just a lot of crap I'd rather not put up with. Plus, if a captain neglects one stat, does that mean that their tactics aren't worth shit if the stat's not high enough? Or if they'll just stand there and let their ship get hit because reaction's not high enough...

It just gets really complicated, and too much means less fun. And I'll be blunt. I'm here to have fun, not calculate my stats.

I know this is getting petty, but I seriously see no reason to change a system that's worked just for the sake of it. VP's been around for a while and has had a lot of good games using it, so why change it?

I agree with Frenzy on this issue, though if a "Total VP: divided into categories" system were implemented, I'd probably end up dividing my points up equally.

It also adds another degree of updating to do; instead of just tacking so many VP onto a PC's total, you'd have to wait for that PC to tell you how he or she wants his points distributed.

This is not likely to see OYW Mk V, so don't worry about whining about it. It's an idea, one that I found interesting and felt would make an interesting system. VP is boring. Why should a GM Sniper who the entire game does nothing but use a LRBR kick my ass when I get in close and start slashing?

It's pretty much a hypothetical system that could be implemented in opposition to VP. Ket and I were discussing this in PM for awhile, he said I should post to get some feedback.

So limit your feedback to what could work with it, or reasons it won't work. Just because you personally don't want to use the system doesn't mean it's a bad one. Yes, you can not like it. But that's not the point of the post.

I've pretty much given my reasons. I apologize if it went into complaining/whining/whatever territory.

You know what you guys can do.

We can decide on some stats, and you can split them up to StatA StatB StatCocks on your profiles.

Then for little ambushes and things, the writer can elect to use them, and for big events, we can say FUCK UR STATZ.

Might be fun.

Didn't Advent Song use a similar system?

Well, the stat idea seems to have potential, as it gives the player a little more control over their own development.

In previous versions, BWs had only the character's profile, their VP, and what he/she knew of the RP character to go off of.

With a stat system, even a barebones one, it gives both the player control over how their character(s) develop (instead of random VP jumps and Newtype-level boosts) and how the BW can approach the battle (like Ming said, sniper pilot builds would suffer at close range, but score more headshots).

I prefer the VP being left as a general skill stat, and the CP being free to distribute. As mentioned, it's been used with success in more customizable RPGs, but should still work in a straightforward game like OYW.

My suggestion: Approach the Newtype aspect with this by adding it as one of the CP values. My thought (if anyone likes)

Newtype level: X
Newtype skilll: Y

Basically, divide how powerful a newtype is and how in control of their powers they are. While not as huge a factor in the One-Year War, subsequent series and manga showed how a weaker newtype with some control of their powers can slaughter an ultra-powerful newtype with random uncontrolled bursts of cheapness, and vice versa.

I just feel that can help flesh out who and what Newtypes and Oldtypes are, instead of the blanket "power level" DBZ method of combat.