Tech level checks and learning from others
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 5:58 am
So after a few sessions of running MCC my biggest complaint is TL. I understand that figuring out tech from the Ancient Ones should be very difficult. With that said, my groups seem to be 14 INT or less. That would be fine but running some the modules almost everything is TL 4+ and several important artifacts are TL 5-6. It is already been difficult to figure out the tech as the INT 14 character has destroyed several artifacts because he cant roll good. LOL The other players cant make the TL 4+ to even try to figure it out. I have devised an idea and I am sure others have adopted something similar so here goes: Any character can make a artifact check roll (with help from anyone INT 13+ getting the +1 to a max of +4) but for each stat grouping they are short on the TL they drop -1d on artifact check roll. So if a character has a 11 INT (max TL3) he could attempt a artifact check roll on a TL4 item but using a D16. If a healer finds a medipac TL5 and has a 10 INT she still gets her +2 artifact bonus and starts with a D24 but since it is TL5 and she can only do TL3 it drops -2d to a D16. Sentinels seem to have a great advantage on weapons/armor of the ancients so dropping a die or two isn't a huge deal. I don't think it overpowers the game and really it allows for more possible destroying, having to fix broken artifacts and even damage to characters.
The other thing I have wondered about is teaching someone to use a artifact you have learned to use. Can you show anyone even lower INT characters how to use the artifact with just a 10 INT roll? I am thinking the way they want it is they have to have the INT to use it. With that said, I think maybe adding to the DC of the INT roll would make sense. So you find a Dazer pistol TL 4 and you understand it and teach Gronn the hapless who has a 8 INT (max TL 2) then he would need to make a higher INT DC (adding +5 to DC is a bit much but maybe a +2 or +3). Going to be difficult with a -1 to roll as it is.
Would like to hear about some other home brew ideas out there.
The other thing I have wondered about is teaching someone to use a artifact you have learned to use. Can you show anyone even lower INT characters how to use the artifact with just a 10 INT roll? I am thinking the way they want it is they have to have the INT to use it. With that said, I think maybe adding to the DC of the INT roll would make sense. So you find a Dazer pistol TL 4 and you understand it and teach Gronn the hapless who has a 8 INT (max TL 2) then he would need to make a higher INT DC (adding +5 to DC is a bit much but maybe a +2 or +3). Going to be difficult with a -1 to roll as it is.
Would like to hear about some other home brew ideas out there.