General Discussion

[Namagomi]

Answer to this question: Yes.

The notable part is that IH still has the differing AB/mastery progressions, as well as the way feats are handled; it's notable that Aleph would be utter -shit- in 3.5e, for example.  (Archers really do -not- do well in 3.5e without either stat hax[which involves taking a LA race/template just to buy up the STR to get some kind of uber-composite bow], or PrC hax [which would never come in before level 6, and usually requires several levels before they become useful].)  Jack wouldn't lose too much effectiveness, though his accuracy would drop a decent bit thanks to the fact that rogues have 3/4 BAB compared to Executioners' 1.  Maya's build?  Impossible and likely impractical to boot.  Elise would be the only one to not lose effectiveness aside from BAB dropping to 1 from 5/4.  And Anassia would go to party-best what with being a spellcaster.

So really, I like IH due to the fact that it lets you go and do this out-of-the-way stuff that would get you splattered or way overshadowed in normal 3.5e.  Sure, token systems may need tweaked, but it's not like omfgwtf unsalvageable.  (And you still have the differing classes, feats, and oh, almost forgot the altered skill system.)

[Dracos]

I'm enjoying playing Maya admittingly, who would be pretty hard to build in 3.5 (A rogue would not be able to pull off these bullshit skills and other ridiculousness).  I'm also enjoying doing stunty craziness.  It's a nice switch from the pragmatic tactics of Planar.

[Navilee]

I suppose that leads the question of:
- Are people happy with IH, even if it requires a lot of tweaking?

It's entirely possible that I do like you did in Drac's pirate game, and just have a system switch (to d&d 3.5e). I don't mind either way, the main reason to use IH was as an experiment, but it's still possible to switch.

Similarly though, it's also not a problem to simply keep with the system, and just bring in tweaks as needed. Right now, the only outstanding concerns for me in IH are:
(a) Make tokens useful without being overpowering.
(b) Similarly make Anassia's necromancy main school be more useful without being overpowering, since the whole summoning undead minions is going to be awkward with any place with people (not to mention just party members, probably).

I love Iron Heroes.  It's a good D20 variant.  It's just got this filmy... not-yet-complete feeling to it.  The magic system in particular feels largely tacked on.  That said, I don't mind too much as, even with a broken system I will eventually be able to do impressive things.  Taking Necro as primary probably wasn't the best choice, per se, as it's use is either rather niche (Army of Darkness) or downright retardedly useless (healing, thanks to reserve pools; given that the Heal skill is supposed to restore reserve points, IIRC, it's even more needless).  Although, admittedly, once we start getting into status effects, healing will come in more handy as, y'know, she can do that (also, she can live forever if she reaches Mastery Level 10 as that allows her to reduce the age of a person.  Suck it, villains!  Immortality!)

That said, switching over to 3.5, while enacting a sort of balance (although I would protest somewhat to the linear warrior/quadratic caster balance) to the party would fundamentally undermine the concepts.  Each character has their thing they do which, in some cases, is impossible in 3.5 (Notably: Aleph, Maya and Ana; Elise might lose some sundering goodness, but I'm not too sure).  Personally, I would say adjust as needed.  But, if the others would rather switch to something with a person's body weight is splat, I would be down for that, too.

And my point is, Drac, is if every character is gaining 1/hit and 2/kill why should there not be general uses?  And how would you cover token pools that don't apply to weapons necessarily, ala the Strategy Pool?  Admittedly, you could just keep them the same and only change the core pools, but I digress.

That said, it's late and I'm starting to get tired so my thinking-bits aren't all firing in the proper sequences anymore.

[Dracos]

Basically the oversimplification is that doing mundane/normal actions in combat builds tokens toward doing special actions in combat.  And sure, put the tokens in whatever pool you want.

Anyhow, I hear mostly the sound of my own voice on something that isn't part of my character and at present I intend to keep not being part of my character.  Others talk!

[Navilee]

Anyhow, I hear mostly the sound of my own voice on something that isn't part of my character and at present I intend to keep not being part of my character.  Others talk!

It is amusing the only two people weighing in are the two characters who have no class tokens...

[Merc]

Nama posted too, and he has tokens =p

[Merc]

Apologies, but going to cancel this week, something's come up here.

Which is going to suck since Drac's going to miss next week for japan and he didn't get poisoned, but I'll figure something out there.

[Dracos]

Wow.  I wish I knew that before I rushed back a 2 hour drive to make it by game time.

-_-;  and yep, I won't be there next week.

[Merc]

Yeah... =/

Again, apologies to everyone, it really was last minute family stuff sprung on me.

I might try to grab Drac/Navi for a solo bit (when -do- you leave, Drac?), and ditto for Ataru, and just get us to a point where Maya is out of the picture for a week and the others can just go on when session starts.

[Dracos]

you got today or tomorrow morning and that's pretty much it.

[Merc]

I'll be by in the evening, if Navi is there too, we can do something. At uhm...7pm sound good? Central time, that is (so 8pm EST).

[Navilee]

Blargh, I say.

Totally lost track of time for the session, then forgot to AFK when I was pulled off to dinner.  Bad combo.  Apologies, all.

[Merc]

It's fine, we covered the important crap.

[Dracos]

I be back.  I be told you all don't need rescuing again.  Maya is fine with simply showboating to victory :P

[Merc]

I'm gonna mention this during game time, but posting it as well.

Next week won't have any game (I'm sure some of you will be out watching fireworks anyhow). Following that, I may decide to go back to an every other week schedule.

I'm kinda in a 'meh' mood about GMing (not to mention real life frustrations), and my heart's just not really into it, even if I don't quite want to cancel or anything.

I'll comment on the 11th on whether I do want to go back to off-week scheduling, or stick with the weekly format.