I already knew the world, just the mechanics and the character creation were all that I needed to learn.  For the most part, the gaming system is based off a Fate system.  One which is new to me but the more I look over it, the more I find it to be unique.  All systems work on Chance almost always in the form of Dice.  D&D is the d20 system, White Wolf is the d10 system, Shadowrun the d6 system, Dark Heresy the d100 system and many more.  What this one offers is a unique d6 that has 2 blank sides [  ]=zero, two minus sides [-]=-1 and two positive sides [+]=+1.  For each dice check, you roll four of them for a min/max total possible of -4 to +4.  These of course will be helped or hindered by skill and situational modifiers.

The next big point on this is the Fate points.  It is a system where your points are equivalent to your free will.  The Story Teller gets to use your background and situation (explained later) along with any other fluff to control your character.  You are forced to follow Fates Will and are rewarded with a Fate point.  Though this might lead you into bad situations (as seen by Dresden’s Chivalry in the books) you can instead spend a Fate point to go against it.  This is enacting your Free Will to act against Fate.  There are more details on how this all technically works in the books but it is at least a little background on it.

The main thing that strikes me as unique in this system is the entire front page of the character sheet.  This introduces ‘Aspects’ which you can channel or receive fate points through.  These are broad categories that are defined by your own creativity in making the character.  I won’t get too in depth with the benefits of this as it is easier to do with an example (which I might do by posting my first character later).

While Aspects are the core system driven tool on the front page, they are based off of Story.  The first three story sections will create your history that makes you what you are today.  Each has enough space to get a few lines of text in but don’t be afraid to grab more paper and expand each section out into detail.  These will help you solidify your character and assist in choosing skills and abilities that relate to your background.  Each creates another Aspect which can be used by you or the ST in the game.

The two boxes below that are what make this system really unique.  It is the only RP I have found so far that lets Other players shape your character.  On the first session, you will give up your sheet to have other players write in how they met your character.  Creating a situation/relationship that you have no control over.  These are based off your background and story already written and doesn’t change who you are.  But they give their own Aspects that can make things interesting.

One of the problems that comes from most RPG’s is a Combat focus or base in their creation.  For these, the Stories must be build on top of such a pre-built setup.  Fate has created a symbiotic relationship between the System and Story.  Each ‘restriction’ of the system is only there to help shape the story.  While the use of the Dresden Files world is there to channel the creativity of each Player and Story Teller.

The question still remains on how well this Independent game is taken up by the RP community.  How well will it grow, adapt and compete with the greats of dice gaming?  Either way, I will be enjoyably testing out the system here soon.

• Added Builds next to the Classes in order to make referencing them easier.  No more having to search the mess at the bottom for details.  Though it is still down there just in case.
• Added Races by Ability Score so that you can also get a good idea what Race to choose with your build.

The primary issue with mixed builds is the different Stats that are needed.  I went through all the features and builds of the classes to pull the stats that go with them.  This is a guideline of what classes match up for stats.  By no means does it make merging the classes into a useful character.  Some classes can work off just their primary stat (like the Fighter/Battlemind build I did) but these are not listed on the cheat sheet.

For now the document is in Notepad for ease of access: Hybrid Cheat Sheet
(After opening, you can just do File > Save Page As to download the file)

Hybrid Characters are the real Multi-class ability for 4th Edition.  Most people were complaining that the [Multiclass] Feats had too many requirements and not enough benefits.  Now you are able to get the abilities and features of two classes, though at a cost.  Though this can be off-set with new feats in PH3.

Here is a short list of the drawbacks of Hybrid:
- Only keep weapon and armor proficiencies that are common between the two classes.  (Fighter + Wizard = only Cloth)
- Only get basic Class Features with special Hybrid Restrictions
- If you Hybrid a Psionic and Non-Psi Class, you loose a lot of Power Points.
- Forced Balance of abilities: Unlike the Multiclass feats where you can just switch out one power, you are forced to keep your powers balanced between the two classes.

Now for the wonderful Benefits:
- Hybrid Talent Feat grants a Class Feature or Proficiency from one class (some abilities are still restricted due to being Hybrid).  Giving you some of the best customization yet.
- You aren’t required to take two feats just to get another class’s Power.
- Expand the capabilities of your Job

My first inspiration for a Hybrid character is actually a Defender.  I always found it difficult to both Mark targets and deal enough damage to get them to keep their attention.  I found an interesting solution to this, which I will post the character soon in a separate post.  As a side note, the 3.5 characters are coming along.  Though I will have to cut down on the numbers to just a 5 man group as they are more complex (and harder to note and explain) than 4th Ed Characters.

I am going to see if I can get a hold of the play test copy and possibly do a short write-up on the base system.  But until then, I am mostly in the blind about it.  I heard things from both ends of the spectrum but won’t judge until I try it.

In the mean time, I have a small project lined up to convert the new World of Darkness into the Dresnden Universe.   Don’t know when I will get to it as it won’t be an easy matter.  Building up the rules of the Accords, converting vampires and the different kinds of werewolves, putting in some rules for mage spells.  Might end up only fully converting mages and fluff up the rest for the players.

Either way,  I love the Dresden Files books and highly recommend them.  It has a lot of good writing and character models to learn from.  That, and they are a good read as well…

Bioware has been a popular game designer for a while.  Past using the DnD system for Baldur’s Gate, they have made and adapted their own system to each game.  Yet they only improve or adapt it as they go, keeping it interesting for the players.  The stories that come from their worlds are what you expect from Sci-fi/Fantasy genre.  Though they are unique in each of the stories, what makes the game the most interesting is the Characters and Character options.

While most of us are used to dealing with multiple players, a computer game like this is targeted only at one.  There is greater control over interactions and story.  But the company didn’t sit around with that freedom.  They built out full history, personality and adaptive interaction with each encounter.  Different party members will cause different interactions or reactions.  Most the time being amusing fluff between the main story.  The details and effort they put into these characters really fill out the worlds and stories.

I highly recommend their series of games for those that haven’t tried them yet.  I am still taking notes from them I can use for my own dice games.