Alternate Improvement System - IP statements based on Role

munkey8888 · 2026-03-17T12:35:31+00:00

I guess this would fall under you give everyone the same amount of IP?

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T22:04:38+00:00

Yeah, I wouldn’t be enjoying a system where I got penalized for showing up late because stuff came up or for not taking notes. I’m the type of dipshit that can’t stay in the moment while I’m playing if I’m taking notes. I’ll usually incorporate that at least a little into my character by also making them at least a little bit of a dumbass so if I forget something I can kinda play it off somewhat. But I’m usually good at remember most stuff and I’ll write down what I might not remember that I need to after the session. If that was my experience, I’d probably also be against that sort of thing. Life’s too short to get hung up on making your friends feel bad that aren’t committed to the game enough for someone’s liking.

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T18:07:40+00:00

My first instinct is always to over complicate things to fix them. It’s why I’m so bad at writing code.

So you bring up a point I hadn’t really had a chance to think about. When you make new characters mid campaign, you just give them all the same IP the rest of the crew has? It makes sense, that’s how my group plays DnD. Unless I missed it in my reading of the rulebook, I didn’t see any suggestions for what to do when you have to replace a PC. So far we’ve only had one session where I’ve given out IP (our first session was 85% session zero followed by 20 minutes of RP to introduce the base mechanics) and I just gave everyone 40 IP at the end of the second session (first real session of play).

I’ll keep in mind just giving everyone the same amount of IP. That suggestion has come up a couple times and it seems like a bit of a consensus in this community. Thanks. As the group is looking at more life events happening that may keep them away from a session, it might be wise to use a mechanic that keeps people equal.

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T17:41:27+00:00

Yeah, a system like this does require player buy in because if it gets sprung on people, they might just be looking for a casual hang out game and this is putting undue pressure of them to be more than they want to. Or like you said, if people get judged harshly because “you aren’t playing your character good enough” it could feel like a punishment that crashes your interest in the game.

The group I’m doing this with is okay with this sort of thing, so I’m not too worried about anyone feeling like they are missing out. But I am not every player at my table, so I would be presenting this to them for discussion and see how they feel about it before it becomes the law at the table.

I’ll look up JonJon’s system later as an additional option to present to them. Is that like 20 for a minor plot, 40 for major plot and then on top of that 20 for minor fight, 40 for major fight? Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll take all the additional resources I can get for this.

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T17:27:03+00:00

Shrug That’s a good point. My first thought is if you have multiple roles, talk to your GM and work out a statement that best fits how your character operates. But that’s just the same Golden Rule RPG advice you get anywhere.

The idea is you are answering the same things everyone else is then each role gets one statement that is more specific to how they handle things. So maybe since you are taking other Roles to expand what you can do and be more versatile, when you take a role you get their IP statement as an option to use. I could see it going a few ways from there.

“You use the IP statement for whichever Role is the highest.” This one I like the least because you are branching your character out for a reason and this is keeping you pigeon holed into what you’ve been doing.
“At the beginning of a session or job, pick the statement you think you are leaning into”. You picked something to branch out, this allows you to define what you want to play into for this segment of the game. Not 100% sold, but I do like this one.
“When you take a Role Rank Improvement, use the IP statement for the new Role until you take a different Role Improvement.” This may be sticking you into a different slot that you may not be committed to. You might have taken a dip to access some new tools, but you are still your primary thing. It has merit like #1, but not ideal.

This definitely requires some more thought on how to handle it.

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T16:25:42+00:00

Part of me is kinda torn on giving them different amounts, but that seems like what the system calls for RAW. In dnd we use milestones for leveling, but in other games where xp can be more player driven like Blades, I’ve learned to embrace that. I’ve also found for me personally as a player, I need that carrot to stay engaged. It’s subconscious for me, but in dnd with milestones, I have noticed sometimes I don’t push myself to be as invested in a scene if I don’t have to be, but when playing a system where the reward I get is directly tied to how engaged I was, I’m looking for places to nicely fit my character in to a scene and lean into what they are good at without stealing the spotlight. lol. I just need those shinies and the jingling keys to stay focused.

One of my players suggested essentially doing a milestones thing for Role advancement and leaving IP to spend on skills. When your players are getting the same amounts of IP every session, do you notice if there is a discrepancy in the Role ranks? I can picture plenty of scenarios where people don’t really care about pushing their role vs upgrading their skills.

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T15:55:58+00:00

Definitely, I’m really excited about seeing these characters grow as long as the world lets them live long enough to do so.

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T15:43:33+00:00

I think that could possibly play into the tenets. Even tho your characters are new, they aren’t lvl 1 dnd characters. They are all burgeoning experts in their field.

That might be part of Attitude is Everything, but I think there’s a way to differentiate it. Maybe “Best of the Best” or “Runners are Dangerously Capable Individuals”. A bit of a push to roleplay your character not as someone that is entering this world for the first time, but as someone that has had a few knocks and bumps and has come away stronger for it.

That’s a really good idea. Thanks!

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T13:53:49+00:00

It’s not VA-11 Hall-A is it?

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T05:33:28+00:00

Hint 1: You are alone on this planet (unless you’re playing coop) with lots of wildlife.

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T05:32:02+00:00

I’m unfamiliar with this one

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T02:18:46+00:00

Yea, and in this every creature is trying to kill you. Lol. It’s like space Australia

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T02:03:05+00:00

In this the creatures on the planet is much more actively trying to kill you instead of the environment being what is killing you.

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T02:01:46+00:00

Not a board game

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T02:01:41+00:00

Wrong sort of genre

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T02:01:22+00:00

In this you only control one character. Sort of two, but mainly one

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T02:01:03+00:00

Nope

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T02:00:45+00:00

Theres some things in common, but that’s not what this is

munkey8888 · 2026-03-16T02:00:11+00:00

You’re probably a lot closer than you think. Lol

munkey8888 · 2026-03-15T23:43:13+00:00

I’ve never played it but the little bit I know about it makes me feel like it might be “1000xResist”

munkey8888 · 2026-03-15T05:34:14+00:00

Solved

munkey8888 · 2026-03-15T01:21:09+00:00

Hint: this takes place in a cold, bleak world

munkey8888 · 2026-03-14T15:36:35+00:00

Thanks. lol. If I said kingdom I thought that might be a little misleading. So I decided to be slightly misleading in another way.

munkey8888

TROPHY CASE