"Cracking the LotOW formula?" Topic

This is semi- Old West related, but maybe someone can help. I'm using the LotOW rules, and want to create additional characters. In particular I'm looking to create the major Firefly/Serenity characters and Alliance troops….

I want to keep things as balanced as possible, but no matter how hard I've tried to crack GW's point cost formula, it still seems to amount to little more than "This character cost this much because we said so…."

Any ideas?

What is LotOW?

Oooo, can't wait to hear about any LOTOW* variants for Firefly.

Dan
* Warhammer Legends of the Old West
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you may have better luck looking for the LOTR formula as that is what LOTOW is based on.

I wonder if Yahoo Groups like this would have some valuable suggestions:

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I just joined and hope they can provide some input or, at the very least, point me in the right direction to someone who can help.

Dan
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Firefly game would rock!! With buckets and buckets of characters already, maybe you could just tweak some that already exist? It ain't rocket science, so just make them the way you think they should be.

Well, if LotOW is even remotely like the other GW stuff post-3rd edition Warhammer, then

I want to keep things as balanced as possible, but no matter how hard I've tried to crack GW's point cost formula, it still seems to amount to little more than "This character cost this much because we said so…."

is all that you'll get.

I've argued (and have given up trying)for a standard point system for Warhammer Ancient Battles since pretty nearly the start waaaaay back when I entered FALCON (First Army List CONtest), before the first army list book was officially published for WAB.

I've still got the files I put together squirreled away on a disk somewhere, so if you want them, just drop me an e-mail via my site mainly28s.com .

Why not just use the rules for the Firefly/Serenity RPG? ;)

It is a GW product – there is no FORMULA – it is "this character costs this much because that is what we decided." I've had two friends who were stats guys try to develop some formula for their system, and they determined there was no rhyme or reason to the points, but mere conjecture and "because we said so" in their analysis. So, make up the characters, play test them and see how they work. If they work without being too powerful, you've got them done. I'd start with a profile which looks "close" to how you would rate them and then move forward with modifications.

Also check out this group as well: link

MikeFoster,

Thanks. I just joined.

Dan

"It is a GW product – there is no FORMULA…"

Ahem.

As an example of how WAB, as one example, was built to a standard points system, see the first messages archived here:

lochagos.com/wab/woj.txt

As WAB supplements were developed, authors were encouraged to adjust them as necessary to get the right balance of cost and performance over an entire army; this is often necessary, as there are more "moving parts" than just points. This tends to frustrate some people who don't understand it.

I'm fairly certain (I was only privy to the inner workings for a while, until it all proved too silly) that LotOW had a similar baseline points system. There surely would be for the LotRBG.

Allen

"… GW's point cost formula …"

Fifteen years ago it worked out at about 10 cents per point (based on the price of the mini.)

So . . . does anyone know of a LOTR or LOTOW variant (and stats) that could be used for shootouts in Firefly/Serenity?

Thanks.

Dan
PS. I'm vaguely aware of the Firefly/Serenity RPG rules, but would prefer to use rules I already have.

I am with Kayl MacLaren on this one.
Just use the Firefly RPG which is loosely based on Savage Worlds, which is a minis rpg anyway…

"What is LotOW?"

beats me … gamers do love their acronyms don't they? perhaps:

lord of the oprah winfrey
lord of the obstacle warning
lord of the overweight
lord of the oscar wilde

… GW's point cost formula …

Fifteen years ago it worked out at about 10 cents per point (based on the price of the mini.)

Now it's "named character that fits in a blister is $15, regardless of points cost in game, and un-named characters are $12."

LoTOW is "Legends of the Old West." This is a set of rules for cowboys and such based heavily on Games Workshop's Lord of the Rings Tabletop Strategy Game."

"lord of the oscar wilde"

That would be Lord Alfred Douglas, wouldn't it? Now that would be a miniatures game to remember… Lots of rear-area insertion scenarios

Why not just use the Serenity game?

LOTOW = Licking Olive Tapenade Off Wombats.

I rock at this game.

You rock at licking wombats?

I always thought LOTOW was a GW Lord of The Rings rules set or something. :(

I just got the entire Firely Series at Sam's, on DVD, for $8. USD

haven't watched it yet. Is Kevin Sorbo in it?

Yes, tberry…

You can go gentle… stroking it's tummy to lull it to sleep, allowing you to take your time and get every bit of sticky olive goodness.

If it's a timed event, the trick is to get a good grip on the scruff of the neck and pin it down firmly.