The equilibrium

ID:151853
 
Dec 26 2008, 8:02 pm
Hail.

I've come across a problem, and I'm rather curious as to what everyone else thinks on the matter. I am attempting to balance 4 classes -- as an example -- Paladin, Monk, Mage, Cleric. Now, here's the problem. I have 5 stats -- constitution (basically, defense), strength, dexterity, willpower, and mystic (basically intelligence). Everything is fine and well until someone levels up.
(Paladins excel with con, monks excel with strength, mages excel with mystic, and clerics excel with willpower)

I've found that giving random stats on levelup can very easily offbalance a game, simply because if some lucky person, and some unlucky person get the best/worst rolls on a levelup, respectively, the game is entirely different for these two people. That's not fair at all.

I thought of another idea, give each class stat points based on whether they excel with them or not. This would lead me to:
Paladin +3 con, +2 dex, +2 will, +1 mys/str /level
Monk +3 str, +2 dex, +2 con, +1 mys/will /level
Mage +3 mys, +2 will, +1 con/dex/str /level
Cleric +3 will, +2 str, +2 mys, +1 con/dex /level

Now that's "fair," but it's incredibly offbalancing! It pretty much determines your role from the start, and that is no fun at all! Is there some equilibrium in this that is achievable?

Dec 26 2008, 9:16 pm
The best way is to let the players pick which stats to upgrade. Give them a certain amount of stat points every level and let them use them as they wish. Their class would just determine their starting stats and their techniques.
Dec 26 2008, 9:17 pm
I would think that a Monk is the same thing as a Cleric to be honest. And a paladin being a cross between a Warrior and a Monk/Cleric. Not to bash your game or anything, but to me, your classes make no sense. Sorry.

But I guess you could make it so the PLAYERS choose which stat to raise as opposed to randomizing it. Give them a set number (based on what you showed, I'd say 8) "stat points" which they can distribute however which way they choose. Easy balance ^-^

EDIT
Damnit Nadrew... >_> 30 seconds before me
Dec 27 2008, 5:03 am
In response to Mizukouken Ketsu
A monk is not the same as a cleric. A cleric is going to be trainedin healing spells and the like, while a monk is going to be a melee, hand to hand fighter, well into their later levels, where they will learn chakra based attacks, as well as learn a deeper understand of the universe and eventually transcend into a being of higher enlightenment.
Dec 27 2008, 6:26 am
In response to Nadrew
An advantage to that, would be if players put points in a skill that their class excels in, it should count as two points. Much like "tagging" skills on Fallout.
Dec 27 2008, 8:48 am
In response to Trosh Kubyo
Trosh Kubyo wrote:
A monk is not the same as a cleric. A cleric is going to be trainedin healing spells and the like, while a monk is going to be a melee, hand to hand fighter, well into their later levels, where they will learn chakra based attacks, as well as learn a deeper understand of the universe and eventually transcend into a being of higher enlightenment.

Thank you for explaining that. I was going to reply, but I was called away for about 5 hours.

I would think that a Monk is the same thing as a Cleric to be honest. And a paladin being a cross between a Warrior and a Monk/Cleric. Not to bash your game or anything, but to me, your classes make no sense. Sorry.

If anything, a paladin would not involve a monk in that combination. Even so, some places accept paladins using magic, some do not, so your cleric cross may not apply. All in all, it's just another name for a warrior.

I appreciate the suggestions! I do think I'm going to go with the statpoint idea, because that would allow for the most customization :D
Dec 29 2008, 6:05 am
A Paladin is well known to be a warrior of holy virtues. They are like your knights in shining armor. They are going to be mostly trained in heavy armor, blade weapons, shields and some light spells, such as minor healing, turn undead and banish demons.

A cleric on the other hand is going to be a greater healer in battle than a Paladin is going to be. Also depending on the class, one might have to use reagents for their spells, while the other might not.

Keep in mind some of the classes we talk about requires a strict level of disaplins. Once a monk, if you ever change your alignment or class, you'll never be able to use your monk feats or abilities again. Which I agree with, if you don't act like a monk, you shouldn't play like a monk.