Microlite74 Plus Project
While Microlite74 Plus will not be the final name of the product (at least I hope I can come up with something better), I have decided to go ahead and work on a not-really-microlite (in size) complete version of Microlite74 in mention a couple of weeks ago in this post: Microlite74 Next Generation?. Microlite74 Plus will be based on the rules for Microlite74 Extended but will include more explanation, a few examples, complete descriptions of spells, monsters, and treasure items, campaign information, advice to the gamemaster, etc. Just as with the cuurent standard/lite versions of Microlite74, Microlite74 plus will include a large number of modular optional rules (like those currently in Microlite74 3.0 Companion I) which will hive GMs and players a large number of ways to create the rules they want and need instead of just the rules I want and need.
There will probably be some changes to the current 3.0 core rules. Here are some possible changes I am currently thinking about:
* Use the six standard attributes instead of the reduced set of 3 or 4 Microlite20-based games use. This would make Microlite74 Plus more obviously compatible with the original games and their modern retroclones.
* Use more standard values for XP advancement rather than the lower numbers most Microlite20-based games use. Experience would work more like it does in the original games and in Microlite74 Swords & Sorcery Edition.
* Include many monsters, spells and treasure items from 1e for those who want to use them. As the 1e player's book and monster book were published back in the 1970s, my group just gradually started using the 1e spells and monsters in our houseruled 0e variant. Adding these to Microlite74 Plus would allow others who wished to do the same and increase compatibility with settings and adventures produced for 1e (and even 2e).
* Have the basic rules only include the Fighter, Cleric, and Magic-User classes. Backgrounds would be able to simulate some classes like a thief or a bard. Druids would be clerics using a nature spell list. Illusionists would be magic-users using an illusion spell list. Etc. The extra standard classes would be included in the optional rules, however. This would put backgrounds to god use and make it easier to create new classes (for example, a necromancer would be a magic-user selecting spells from a necromancy spell list).
Note that none of the above chances are sure things. I'm just playing around in my mind while I finish up the current project, Microlite74 Swords & Sorcery. Ideas and comments on the Microlite74 Plus project are welcome.
August 18, 2012 at 2:46 PM
What about Macrolite74?
Definitely support adding 1e monsters and treasure, and perhaps spells.
Not SURE about the four classes plus background thing, but would prefer more information before I form an opinion.
Kind of dig the current XP scheme, would hate to see it go.
No strong feelings on the ability scores... would they each have their own save, or would it still just be the four?
As always feel free to get in touch if any of my homebrew material could help, I've been fooling around with stuff for a while.
August 18, 2012 at 2:49 PM
(As an addendum-- I would suggest a four-class system rather than three, rounding it out with Specialist.)
August 18, 2012 at 3:03 PM
Totally agree on the smaller XP scale. Earn those points and make them count, eh? ;)
August 20, 2012 at 8:49 AM
I like the M74 XP scale the way it is. And I'm for keeping just the four ability scores as well.
August 21, 2012 at 10:35 AM
very good!
August 23, 2012 at 9:26 PM
Some very good ideas. I like them all. Some thoughts:
At first blush, I'm excited by the idea of having the 6 standard attributes, but I wonder how much of that is just driven by nostalgia. I like the 4 attributes in M74 Extended, and they work well, so I guess I'd have to see how using 6 affects the game before passing judgment.
As for experience, anything that maintains the old school feel of slower advancement is a positive for me.
I'm so glad that you're going to do M74 Plus; I can't tell you how exciting it was to see your post. I'm sure I speak for many when I say that your efforts, time and care in these projects are deeply appreciated.
August 23, 2012 at 9:48 PM
@Silver Fox: I've currently thinking about going both ways on attributes: either 4 attributes and optional rules for 6 or 6 attributes with optional rules for 4. However, that would make saving throws harder to handle in the spell, monster, and treasure lists.
August 23, 2012 at 9:51 PM
BTW, interested parties will hopefully soon be able to discuss stuff like this on a Microlite74 message board. One of my players has volunteered to handle software maintenance and spammers for me -- the two things that really killed previous board attempts. The board is being setup this weekend.
August 31, 2012 at 1:28 PM
I love the idea of 3 classes + more concise backgrounds; this is the best idea hands down.
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