Dragon Age getting too complex?

[ddrew]

Hi there, just wanted to get some feed bck here. I was innitially attracted to the Dragon Age system mainly because the setting ie FREEKING AWESOME, but also because the character creation is/was simple and straight forward. One thing I feel is creeping in is over complexity of character creation. I can see expanding the options with new races, but having umpteen different choices for a warrior seems a little redundant. This is one reason I stopped playing another fantasy gaming system. Just my two cents worth. Still love the game though!!!!

[5trangeCase]

All the different choices don't really make things complicated. None of them are considerably better than the others so which one you choose is irrelevant. If you're daunted by choice, just use the ones from Set 1. It can't really be called complex.

[shonuff]

Most of the backgrounds don't really matter, because they are pretty comparable, and you just pick one -- it's your background.

[Elfie]

Yeah the background really just is a "where are you from?" or "what were you doing before you found adventure?" choice. It doesn't add much complexity at all. And as said previously, you can always just choose to limit yourself to the ones from Set 1.

[Loswaith]

The backgrounds fairly much fit the "race" choice of other systems, though it's a bit more detailed (a good thing in my opinion, otherwise there would be too many similarites between same race/class background).

Other than that character creation is much the same (or atleast I find it so), sure there are options for selection of stats and background bonuses but typically at the end of the day that can be ignored and you can stick with the random determination. Though the options within the classes are still the same as they are in set 1.

[Arimmus]

Newp, Just your imagination

[Giorgio]

Not at all, if anything, its not complex enough. Dont confuse having many options with complexity. If you want to keep things simple just keep to set 1.

[JRHigley]

Sorry for cutting against the grain a bit...but I tend to think that things are getting a bit complex, particularly with respect to backgrounds. (See some discussion here: http://greenronin.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=10572.)

Others certinly disagree, but while I like all the background text (putting meat on the bones of the setting), I think that having 31 different background choices, each having a mechanical impact, might be a bit much for a new player.

[5trangeCase]

It doesn't make it any more complex. Some are virtually identical. Because they are for all intents and purposes, balanced, there is absolutely no mechanical impact. It is an easy, non-complex choice. It is: do you want to be an Avvar or an Antivan? You are the only one who is making it: do you want to start with +1 Willpower or +1 Communication?

[shonuff]

Sorry for cutting against the grain a bit...but I tend to think that things are getting a bit complex, particularly with respect to backgrounds. (See some discussion here: http://greenronin.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=10572.)

Others certinly disagree, but while I like all the background text (putting meat on the bones of the setting), I think that having 31 different background choices, each having a mechanical impact, might be a bit much for a new player.

I think it could be if you try and game the system too much. But if you pick a character concept, it's just your character's history. Once you pick your character, the other 30-ish backgrounds have no bearing. D&D, I know, was similar, with the different elves and dwarves and more. But if you know you want to play an Antivan Crow or an Orlesian Chevalier or what-have-you, then it's fairly simple.

However, if a new player is unfamiliar with the setting, I could see how the initial choices would be somewhat daunting, but that IMO is more of a situation where the other PCs or a Thedas background should be of use. The main flaw in the system is for people unfamiliar with the licensed property, but that's the dangers of using a licensed property. I think it will probably be a little easier once a compilation is released, so you don't have to flip between 3 different manuals, as well.

[si1vergecko]

I can see how to someone that is not familiar with the Dragon Age universe when creating a character it can seem a little daunting. That said I do think that as far as pnp rpgs go that this is overall pretty straight forward and simple.

[shonuff]

I can see how to someone that is not familiar with the Dragon Age universe when creating a character it can seem a little daunting. That said I do think that as far as pnp rpgs go that this is overall pretty straight forward and simple.

But I think at that point, it would be a flaw of the GM/gaming group for not catching the newbie up to speed.

[si1vergecko]

Which I think would be simple enough since as rich as the world of Dragon Age is things can be simple enough to explain.

"So why does everyone hate these Orliasian guys?"

"They're French."

"Ah."

[shonuff]

Which I think would be simple enough since as rich as the world of Dragon Age is things can be simple enough to explain.

"So why does everyone hate these Orliasian guys?"

"They're French."

"Ah."

^ That is the correct answer.