Brainstorming new project and classes Options

[wessel724]

I've been brainstorming ideas for a new project and decided to post it on here. I really like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, DnD and most things based off of them. I want to make a game where the player has vast story and dialog options. But the first step is to set up the story, but to do that I need to get all the classes I'm going to offer together. I was looking for some user input on classes. What would be there goals and what kind of enemies or oppression would they face? Who would help them? For example, if the player chooses to become a Paladin there main goal would be to rid the world of evil beings and protect the good people of the world, and eventually have to face a supreme evil all while making good with townsfolk and doing good deeds on the way. I was going to break the warrior classes down into a few different ones some evil, some good. Same thing for mages, rouges and rangers etc. Any input would be nice and any help appreciated. :O

[Knot]

Interesting - are you going to try a DnD style game in RPGMaker? Alot of the fun in those games is the way your skills affect the world outside of combat. Things like a stealth system and wilderness tracking that give you different ways to see the world and new opportunities. Another consideration is the fact that most of the DnD worlds are farely morbid (Making armour out of human skin anyone?) which probably wouldn't translate over to RPG Maker graphics. So you might what to consider that when deciding on the story.

As for the story itself, I think the best way to do it for this style of game is to first focus on having an interesting world. Unlike JRPGS there's of a focus on the main story and more on the sidequests and how they're interconnected. I played Morrowind for ages and never even bothered with the main story. So I think you're focus should first be on finding an interesting world where alot of interesting things are happening that your player can interact with and use their skills on (just look at Planescape for an example of how cool a world can get). You need a world that will make your player want to explore and the main story is there as a form closure.

[wessel724]

Interesting - are you going to try a DnD style game in RPGMaker? Alot of the fun in those games is the way your skills affect the world outside of combat. Things like a stealth system and wilderness tracking that give you different ways to see the world and new opportunities. Another consideration is the fact that most of the DnD worlds are farely morbid (Making armour out of human skin anyone?) which probably wouldn't translate over to RPG Maker graphics. So you might what to consider that when deciding on the story.

As for the story itself, I think the best way to do it for this style of game is to first focus on having an interesting world. Unlike JRPGS there's of a focus on the main story and more on the sidequests and how they're interconnected. I played Morrowind for ages and never even bothered with the main story. So I think you're focus should first be on finding an interesting world where alot of interesting things are happening that your player can interact with and use their skills on (just look at Planescape for an example of how cool a world can get). You need a world that will make your player want to explore and the main story is there as a form closure.

What I was planning is having the hero start off as a nobody, where the player gets to choose gender and name (I was even considering applying race, but maybe not as it might cause too much complication) and the hero would start as a traveler class or something like that. Through events in the game the player will have options to enter into new classes then prestige. I plan a whole class tree where they have a vast character development options. For example the hero could become a druid and level up a few times as a druid, then find a sect of monks that established a temple the druid's domain and become a monk, then after a few levels of being a monk the hero could then become a storm lord which is a monk who uses the power of nature to control storms. But the classes in the game wouldn't be handed to the player, some would be obvious some more obscure. Like the player becomes a monk which is lawful, then does something to shift to chaos witch would change the hero to an ex-monk then the hero would be presented with an event that would allow the player to become a blade artist or crooked monk.

I'm planning a skill system that affects the way the player navigates the world where there is 15 different ways to complete a task but one best way depending on the hero's skills, whether it be gathering information, gaining access to a locked building. When the hero levels up they can pick from feats, perks, traits or whatever.

I wanted to make villager interaction a little more complicated than the JRPG style of talking to the townsfolk and getting the same response every time. I wanted to make a menu come up when you speak to people where you can choose from pickpocket attempts (based on your sneak and steal skill), talk options, examine options, options to kill them either by sneaking up behind them and assassinating them or challenging them to a fight.

Combat is going to be a small part of the game unlike JRPGs where it is the center and the only way to gain exp. If you ever played fallout (any of them) where you get a little exp for accomplishing minor tasks then a large payout of exp for completing major tasks and quests, I am making the character growth like that.

I am still keeping the turn based battle system but a turning it into very interactive way of fighting your enemies with cbs. For example the player becomes a monk and is fighting a giant, a monk monk trained in fighting other humanoids isn't going to be able to initially take down a giant with martial arts alone. So the giant attempt to crush the monk with his fist with one swift punch then the game will do a reflex save check and if the monk rolls a successful save the monk will dodge the giants attack leaping out of the way. Since the monk has a high agility he will then be allowed a counter move where he will have the option to climb the giants arm giving access to his weak spots like eyes, ears and throat. But this is just an example.

The storyline is going to be class dependent, for example, if the player chooses to be a Paladin his overall goal will be to fight evil and help the innocent, and eventually have to kill a evil necromancer and his dark clerics. But if the player chooses to be a dark cleric and apprentices under that same necromancer depending on his affinity (lawful, neutral, or chaotic) the player will be able to either help his master fight off the paladins (if lawful) or slay his master and become the necromancer that the paladins are attempting to slay.

I have so many more ideas that I'm organizing at the moment, but thats way too much to write at the moment. I'm mainly trying to put storylines down for all the different classes at the moment.

[LockeZ]

The storyline is going to be class dependent, for example, if the player chooses to be a Paladin his overall goal will be to fight evil and help the innocent, and eventually have to kill a evil necromancer and his dark clerics. But if the player chooses to be a dark cleric and apprentices under that same necromancer depending on his affinity (lawful, neutral, or chaotic) the player will be able to either help his master fight off the paladins (if lawful) or slay his master and become the necromancer that the paladins are attempting to slay.

I like that your stories intertwine. It makes the replay value skyrocket as the player is already invested in the story and wants to find out more, and also saves you a ton of work in that you can use many of the same maps and enemies in multiple storylines. However, I would warn not to make it so the player *has* to play other storylines to understand what's going on in one of them.

For instance, maybe your paladin's quest ends with the player killing the necromancer and then burning the place to the ground and going home triumphant. As you leave, you find out that the necromancer had a young toddler, and vow to raise the now-orphaned child. You take the child back to the church to be safe. The end. But the dark cleric's quest involves learning that your master placed an evil soul-harvesting spell around the church, so that in case of his death, it would siphon the life force of all the templars and paladins, sacrificing them all to resurrect him. So you go to the church to stop it, but everyone inside is all already dead, and you have to fight your master a second time as the final boss, because he's seriously pissed at you for stealing his power.

See, it's a major plot twist, but it's not tantalizing the player. Each one stands on its own, without making the player feel like they *have* to play the other to get the whole story. The player doesn't realize there's more until doing the other one. And also, they both add to each-other. If you play the paladin's quest first, the surprise the second time through is that everyone in the church was killed because of the paladins' actions. If you play the dark cleric's quest first, the surprise the second time through is that the necromancer's lust for power ended up killing his own son.

You could make it so only the final quests interact like this, or you could make it so most of the earlier quests along the way interact also. The latter would require a lot more planning ahead of time but would also mean you'd have to do a lot less mapping later.

[wessel724]

This is the class tree I have developed so far, just needs fine tuning
next step is to plan the enitre storyline and how each class plays there part in the overall plot



Fighter Any
---Paladin Lawful Good
------Fallen Paladin Non-Lawful or Non-Good
---------Chaos Knight Any Chaotic
---------Ex-Chaos Knight Any Non-Chaotic
------Knight Protector Lawful Non-Evil Cross Train either Ex-Paladin(Neutral) and lawful Cleric or Paladin and Lawful Cleric
------Black Gaurd Evil
------Archon Any Lawful
---------Dark Archon Chaotic Evil
------Merseus Lawful Good
------Penitent Sniper Any Good Cross Train Paladin and Archer
---------Ex Penitent Sniper Non Good
------Sensate Lawful Good
------Sword Saint Lawful Good
------Kensai Lawful Cross Train Paladin and Monk
------Knight Protector Lawful Non-Evil Cross Train either Ex-Paladin(Neutral) and lawful Cleric or Paladin and Lawful Cleric
------Knight of the Chalice Lawful Good Cross Train either Paladin and Ranger or Good Cleric and Ranger
------Justiciar Lawful Cross Train Ranger and Paladin
---Hexblade Non-Good
------Ex-Hexblade Good
---Samurai Lawful Commitment to Kingdom
------Ex-Samurai Non-Lawful Broken code of honor
---------Lost Blade Evil Non-Lawful, not in service
---------Ronin Non-Lawful Fled or been Exiled from service
------Iaijutsu Master Lawful
---Barbarian Non-Lawful
------Ex-barbarians Lawful
------Bear-Warrior Non-Lawful Cross Train Barbarian and Druid
------Wolf-Warrior Non-Lawful Cross Train Barbarian and Druid
------Frenzied Berzerker Chaotic
------Rage Mage Non-Lawful Cross Train Barbarian and either Wizard, Sorcerer, or Bard
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
---Martial Artist
------Monk Lawful
---------Ex-Monk Non-Lawful
---------Armored Pugulist Any
---------Blade Artist Chaotic
---------Blood Hunter Evil
------------Ex-blood Hunters Non-Evil
---------Crooked Monk Chaotic but do not lie
------------Ex-Crooked Monk Non-Chaotic
---------Ghost Killer Lawful Good
------------Ex-Ghost Killer Non-Good Dishonoring Ancestors
---------Ki Blaster Any Non Good or Evil
---------Psynergist Any Lawful
------------Ex-Psynergist Any Non-Lawful
---------Storm Lord Non-Lawful Cross train Druid and Monk
---------Sylvan Monk
---------Tanterist Any Lawful Pacifist
---------Tattooed Monk Lawful
------------Ex-Tattooed Monk
---------Kensai Lawful Cross Train Paladin and Monk
---------Fire Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Fire Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
------------Fire Bending Master Non-Lawful
---------Water Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Water Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
------------Water Bending Master Non-Lawful
---------Air Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Air Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
------------Air Bending Master
---------Earth Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Earth Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
------------Earth Bending Master
------Drunken Master
---Natures Warrior Neutral Cross Train Druid and Fighter
---Occult Slayer Weapon Proficiancy
---Archer Weapon Proficiancy Lonebow, Shortbow, or Crossbow
---Order of the Bow Initiate
------Penitent Sniper Any Good Cross Train Paladin and Archer
---------Ex Penitent Sniper Non Good
------Arcane Archer Knowlege Arcane Cross Train Archer and Wizard
---Soldier Commitment to Kingdom
------Ex-Soldier Not in Service
------Knight Commitment to Kingdom
---------Ex-Knight Not in Service
---------Purple Dragon Knight Non-Evil Non-Chaotic
---Reaping Mauler Non-Lawful
---Mindspy Any Must Know Detect Thought and Cross Train Spell Caster, Fighter, and Rouge
---Spellsword Cross Train Spellcaster and Fighter
---War Chanter Non-Lawful Cross Train Bard and Fighter
---War Shaper Train Fighter, must know polymorph or wildshape
---Dervish Cross Train Ranger and Fighter
---Invisible Blade Cross Train either Bard and Fighter or Theif and Fighter
---Psychic Warrior Any Cross Train Psion and Fighter
---Assassin Must Kill one person for no reason Cross Train Tumber with Any other Stage two Spellcaster or Fighter class for Bonus'
Rouge any
---Ranger Any
------Dark-Hunter
------Bladeslinger Non-Lawful Cross Train Ranger and Wizard
---------Swashbuckler Any Cross Train Theif and Bladeslinger
------Darkwood Stalker
------Dervish Cross Train Ranger and Fighter
------Justiciar Lawful Cross Train Ranger and Paladin
------Knight of the Chalice Lawful Good Cross Train either Paladin and Ranger or Good Cleric and Ranger
---Druid Neutral
------Ex-Druid Non-Neutral or Violate the land
------Natures Warrior Neutral Cross Train Druid and Fighter
------Bear-Warrior Non-Lawful Cross Train Barbarian and Druid
------Wolf-Warrior Non-Lawful Cross Train Barbarian and Druid
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
------Storm Lord Non-Lawful Cross train Druid and Monk
------Elementalist Non Lawful Cross Train Wizard, Sorcerer, and Druid
---------*Fire
------------Fire Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Fire Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Fire Bending Master Non-Lawful
---------*Water
------------Water Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Water Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Water Bending Master Non-Lawful
---------*Air
------------Air Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Air Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Air Bending Master
---------*Earth
------------Earth Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Earth Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Earth Bending Master
---Bard Non-Lawful
------Invisible Blade Cross Train either Bard and Fighter or Theif and Fighter
------War Chanter Non-Lawful Cross Train Bard and Fighter
------Rage Mage Non-Lawful Cross Train Barbarian and either Wizard, Sorcerer, or Bard
------War Chanter Non-Lawful Cross Train Bard and Fighter
---Reaping Mauler Non-Lawful
---Mindspy Any Must Know Detect Thought and Cross Train Spell Caster, Fighter, and Rouge
---Thief Non Lawful
------Swashbuckler Any Cross Train Theif and Bladeslinger
------Invisible Blade Cross Train either Bard and Fighter or Theif and Fighter
------Soul Knife Any Cross Train Theif and Psion
------Trickster Chaotic
---------Arcane Trickster Chaotic Cross Train Wizard and Trickster
---Tumbler
------Assassin Must Kill one person for no reason Cross Train Tumber with Any other Stage two Spellcaster or Fighter class for Bonus'
Spell Caster
---Sorcerer any, Chaotic prefered
------Master of Unseen Hand
------Rage Mage Non-Lawful Cross Train Barbarian and either Wizard, Sorcerer, or Bard
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
------Elementalist Non Lawful Cross Train Wizard, Sorcerer, and Druid
---------*Fire
------------Fire Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Fire Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Fire Bending Master Non-Lawful
---------*Water
------------Water Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Water Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Water Bending Master Non-Lawful
---------*Air
------------Air Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Air Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Air Bending Master
---------*Earth
------------Earth Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Earth Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Earth Bending Master
---Wizard Depends on school
------*Abjuration
------*Conjuration
------*Divination
------*Enchantment
------*Evocation
------*Illusion
------*Necromancy
------*Transutation
---------Arch Mage Must specialize in two schools
------Rage Mage Non-Lawful Cross Train Barbarian and either Wizard, Sorcerer, or Bard
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
------Bladeslinger Non-Lawful Cross Train Ranger and Wizard
---------Swashbuckler Any Cross Train Theif and Bladeslinger
------Arcane Archer Knowlege Arcane Cross Train Archer and Wizard
------Arcane Trickster Chaotic Cross Train Wizard and Trickster
------Elementalist Non Lawful Cross Train Wizard, Sorcerer, and Druid
---------*Fire
------------Fire Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Fire Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Fire Bending Master Non-Lawful
---------*Water
------------Water Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Water Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Water Bending Master Non-Lawful
---------*Air
------------Air Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Air Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Air Bending Master
---------*Earth
------------Earth Bender Non-Lawful Cross Train Earth Elementalist and Monk or Ex-Monk
---------------Earth Bending Master
---Cleric Lawful Good
------Ex-Cleric
------Hunter of the Dead Cross Train Lawful Good Cleric and Paladin
------Knight Protector Lawful Non-Evil Cross Train either Ex-Paladin(Neutral) and lawful Cleric or Paladin and Lawful Cleric
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
------Knight of the Chalice Lawful Good Cross Train either Paladin and Ranger or Good Cleric and Ranger
---Cleric Neutral Good
------Ex-Cleric
------Hunter of the Dead Cross Train Neutral Good Cleric and Paladin
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
------Knight of the Chalice Lawful Good Cross Train either Paladin and Ranger or Good Cleric and Ranger
---Cleric Chaotic Good
------Ex-Cleric
------Hunter of the Dead Cross Train Chaotic Good Cleric and Paladin
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
------Knight of the Chalice Lawful Good Cross Train either Paladin and Ranger or Good Cleric and Ranger
---Cleric Lawful Neutral
------Ex-Cleric
------Hunter of the Dead Cross Train Lawful Neutral Cleric and Paladin
------Knight Protector Lawful Non-Evil Cross Train either Ex-Paladin(Neutral) and lawful Cleric or Paladin and Lawful Cleric
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
---Cleric Neutral
------Ex-Cleric
------Hunter of the Dead Cross Train Neutral Cleric and Paladin
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
---Cleric Chaotic Neutral
------Ex-Cleric
------Hunter of the Dead Cross Train Chaotic Neutral Cleric and Paladin
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
---Cleric Lawful Evil
------Ex-Cleric
------Knight Protector Lawful Non-Evil Cross Train either Ex-Paladin(Neutral) and lawful Cleric or Paladin and Lawful Cleric
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
---Cleric Neutral Evil
------Ex-Cleric
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
---Cleric Chaotic Evil
------Ex-Cleric
------Ravager Evil Non-Lawful Bonus' from Cross Train with Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, or Cleric
---Mindspy Any Must Know Detect Thought and Cross Train Spell Caster, Fighter, and Rouge
---Spellsword Cross Train Spellcaster and Fighter
---Psion Any
------Psychic Warrior Any Cross Train Psion and Fighter
---SoulKnife Any Cross Train Theif and Psion
---Assassin Must Kill one person for no reason Cross Train Tumber with Any other Stage two Spellcaster or Fighter class for Bonus'

This post has been edited by wessel724: Jan 6 2011, 06:52 PM