Build up

[siegfriedliner]

I really like escalation mechanics (such as 13th ages escalation die) and at at first glance the universal instinct ability seems like 1 such mechanic.

But what I find frustrating about it is that doesn't seem enough reason to climb the pyramid, the bonuses are for the most part fine but pretty underwhelming thematically. I was expecting building up evolution points to be a bit more viseral (ideally kanaida becoming a mass of biomechanical flesh akira style).

What doesn't everyone else think?

[Dracomicron]

siegfriedliner wrote:

I really like escalation mechanics (such as 13th ages escalation die) and at at first glance the universal instinct ability seems like 1 such mechanic.

But what I find frustrating about it is that doesn't seem enough reason to climb the pyramid, the bonuses are for the most part fine but pretty underwhelming thematically. I was expecting building up evolution points to be a bit more viseral (ideally kanaida becoming a mass of biomechanical flesh akira style).

What doesn't everyone else think?

I agree. The bonuses for building up EP are not sufficient to make me take note. The one time I've played so far I sacrificed a bit just to get 2-3 points so if I did spend any (generally for BAB), I still had enough to offset my heavy armor speed penalty and still get my bonus healing from the Vital niche.

It's certainly less dramatic than a solarian getting to 3 and exploding.

[siegfriedliner]

I would much rather the universal instinct include full bab as one of its options (probably at 2 or 3 ep) as it would encourage people to climb the ep pyramid.

Ideally I was hoping your playstyle would shift at higher eps. I would like to see a few more abilities that require high ep to use or have different effects at high ep or low ep.

[Garretmander]

There's a big problem with encouragement to climb the pyramid though. A simple combat is likely over in three rounds or less, and more complex fights rarely go beyond five rounds. Sure, at later levels you've got options to gain more EP, but you're still likely spending them to mop up enemies other characters have torn into.

I really like Dracomicron's earlier suggestion of a reverse EP pool, where you start with all your points and get benefits & drawbacks as you spend them instead of climbing the EP hill and jumping back off. That way you can go all out early, instead of thinking 'do I spend this EP for resistance, or wait until next turn for more AC?'.

[Zwordsman]

I'm a big fan of starting out with point loss, and spending them, rather than building them. having to "start slow and bide time" doesn't feel fun and doesn't-IMO- jive with the other classes ability to go big right away. Most of the other classes do not have incentives to not end a fight as early as possible. Evo d oes-kind of.

[Cyrad]

The bonuses in the evolution track felt inconsequential to me and the drawbacks were pretty nasty.

I think EP and the Evolution Track would be much more interesting if it was a daily resource that accumulates and transforms you over the course of the day.

Alternatively, it would be cool if you got all of your EP at the start of the fight and then you choose to spend them on abilities that last for the rest of the fight. That way, it feels like you're transforming yourself into a new form specially tailored to each fight.