Divorcing Metagame Mechanics from Character Improvement

[MrNexx]

So, what I was thinking was divorcing the metagame mechanics of character points from their experience-like aspects.

Assuming they are equal to what character points can currently do when spent, and they would be a per-session resource (i.e. you get X per session, to spend in that session), how many would you say is reasonable? Should it alter character point awards if they're only going to be for character improvement?
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[Naaman]

I have toyed around with the idea of treating character points like force points. In other words, if used in the right circumstances, then you get them back at the end of the adventure, and if used in an awesome way, you get back extra, etc...

Another option might be to simply allow a character to maintain a reserve of CPs. Set a max limit, perhaps. Any "banked" character points may be spent and recouped each adventure. But banked character points can only be withdrawn at a cost. So, taking any CPs out of the bank for character advancement costs 1 additional CP (Oh, I need 2 CPs to raise my blaster skill; I have 7 in my bank. I'll take out 2, and pay the fee of 1, bringing my bank down to 4 CPs). But any character points in the bank are given back at the end of the adventure if they are used to boost a die roll during play.

[CRMcNeill]

I've toyed with the idea of keeping the CP rewards the same, but using them only for character improvement, then giving PCs 1 "Luck Point" for every 3 CP they earn. Yes, yes, I know "there is no such thing as luck", but we also know about Obi-wan's "certain point of view". Personally, I prefer Talon Karrde's take:

[garhkal]

Sort of like splitting CP into 2 separate pools. One for stat improvement, one for bonus dice in a session..

If i was to do something that manner, i would say 1/3 of awarded points should be in the "Luck" bracket, and like CRMcNeill suggested, they could 'regenerate' in a similar manner to how FP do.. but those saved for 'stat raising, can't be tapped that way, until the "Luck points" version runs out, those 'banked' into the stat raising pool, could be tapped but at a 2 for one basis..
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[Dredwulf60]

When I was running a classic D&D campaign involving a group of Knights; each character had a number of points of 'renown'. Since they were all supposed to be faithful to the church as per the Arthurian model of knight.

They could use these points for bonuses as they were literally beloved by God; it constituted a whispered prayer for strength, salvation, endurance, smite, etc.

They 'recharged' their renown points by attending formal church services.

You could do something similar in Star Wars. Give a pool of die-roll modifying character points and have some trigger event that will refresh them. Also a way to earn new ones, based on the type of character they are.

[Whill]

[shootingwomprats]

Perhaps a set amount of Drama Dice independent of Character Points. They are used exactly the same way but the players each get a set amount at the beginning of an adventure. This can be a set amount or based on a formula. Something like Drama Dice = 3 x lowest attribute + pips? During play players can earn bonus Drama Dice for good ideas, role-playing, moving the story ahead, narrating a good hook for that GM and so on. Once this pool has been exhausted the player may choose to use Character Points. Furthermore, maybe instead of Rollins 1D exploding die for every point spent, give a static modifier. Something like +5 or +10 depending on heroic the game you want to run.
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[MrNexx]

See, I had in mind something closer to Savage World's Bennies... you get 3 per session (4 if you have the Lucky trait), and they function just like character points... spend one to get an additional exploding die. Important NPCs would have them, but most mooks would not. If you don't use yours during a session, they disappear, and are replaced next session.
_________________
"I've Seen Your Daily Routine. You Are Not Busy!"
“We're going to win this war, not by fighting what we hate, but saving what we love.”
http://rpgcrank.blogspot.com/

[Tupteq]

I'm currently testing Plot Points (PP) in my games (idea borrowed from Serenity RPG). Each PP provides +1 pip to roll if used before roll (combines with existing pips, so 4D+2 plus 1 PP gives 5D) or +1 to result if used after roll. Maximum of 6 PPs can be used for one action.
New character has 6 PPs, max is 12 PPs, players gain PPs during game session for good roleplaying (usually mental traits and disadvantages), brilliant ideas, achieving goals (personal or group), funny actions etc. Gained PPs can be used instantly or can be saved for later use, but all PPs above 12 are lost, so it's worth to use them.
At the beginning of each session number of PPs is restored to 3 for characters having less then 3 PPs.

[garhkal]

What's the normal # of CP you award, and will it drop any?
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[Tupteq]

[garhkal]

Yes that was directed your way.. But you pro-rate the # of cps awarded to the table's effective levels?? Strange..

What about when its a mixed table?
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Tupteq]

[Whill]

[JironGhrad]