Character level and skills: necessary or not?
Hello there!
Work on Path of Lust is moving forward. Many systems are already in place, such as saving (thanks to Saboteur), inventory, trading, and crafting. The dialogue and quest systems are almost ready, but to fully flesh them out, I still need to refine a few others. I'm currently working on an improved character controller and getting closer to working on the combat system. After all, Shana may be a former Jedi, but she's still a Jedi, and the paths of a mercenary or pirate wouldn't be complete without a good fight or blaster duels.
But that's not what we're talking about now. Well, almost, since the themes, in general, closely related. Since Path of Lust is, after all, an RPG, it would likely require a character leveling system and a skill tree. However, due to the game's plot, all of this may not be entirely traditional, as Shana has no one to teach her new Force skills from. For example, Cal's new skills from Fallen Order aren't a learning curve, but rather a restoration of previously acquired ones. Another example is Jaden from the Jedi Academy, who learned new skills from a real teacher (and not just one).
But at the same time, while pursuing her new path as a mercenary, pirate, or smuggler, Shana could very well learn new skills in hand-to-hand combat or weaponry, profitable trade and persuasion, diplomacy, various tricks, technical mastery, and crafting.
Hovewer, her Force skills will remain at the same level as before. Perhaps you'll be able to choose some of them during character creation, thus allowing you to play the game differently in certain situations.
So, that's the idea.
As for skill improvement itself, in most games, it happens either automatically with frequent skill use or with experience points earned by completing quests and leveling up your character. I'm still struggling with a final method and would like to hear your opinion on this matter - which option do you prefer? Also, do you think a character needs a level at all, or can experience points be earned by completing quests and other activities?
So, vote for your favorite option, write your opinion in the comments or on Discord, and may the Force be with You.
Comments (13)
I find the idea of developing the character in an evolutionary way (without skill points to allocate and choose in this or that category) but according to the method of a player privileging certain abilities interesting, if that is possible. And having the choice of actions guide the path toward one of the two personality destinies would be amazing. PS: I am French-speaking, sorry for the grammar mistakes 😋
Chosen abilities and player's overall actions in certain situations will influence the character's development and their leaning toward the dark or light side of the Force, just like in the Academy and SWTOR. That's the intention.
Would be funny if there was a force nut grab and or attack where it could be pleasurable, or with a bit of power increase ot something could be a knockout.
Reminds me of Dark Helmet's groin crush attack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi8eggRtTlM 1:30 into it.
You know, it is Canon that many young Jedi or force sensitive users, when unable to find a master to teach them, have learned instead from holocrons. This is true for Sith as well. Speaking of, will there be a path of morality, where you can develop her to be more dark and Sith-like, maintain balance like a Grey Jedi, or continue on a more righteous path like a normal Jedi?
Yes, there will be a balance between the light and dark sides, and the development of the plot and some quests will partially depend on the balance in favor of one side or the other.
Whatever choices can be afforded to the role player in the development of the character is almost always preferred, skill points, abilities etc. Level is not that important on the grand skill, but serves as a "marker" for progression to most people, personally, not that big a deal.
I think a combination of frequent use and classic experience points would work best, classic could unlock certain skills, while frequent use could unlock other skills and you could use both for some very high level skills and abilities. eg 5 level points and level 8 of a certain skill/ability is needed to unlock a skill or ability linked to the level 8 skill/ability.
Well, something similar happened at the Academy: basic skills, like jumping and pushing/pulling, grew automatically, while the player distributed the rest of the skills themselves.
You could add a mentor character later in the story for Force progression if desired. No one says it has to be a Jedi.
- Is it possible to learn this power ? - Not from a jedi..)))))
I would crib the generalities of the advancement system from KOTOR / TOR / SW d20 with level progression for combat stats and the FEAT/Perk system for special abilities. Its familiar and will make SW players feel at home.
Level - No. Skills - Yes.