Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.cyber
From: Windsor's Only Gunner <[l--i--r] at [server.uwindsor.ca]>
Subject: Homebrew [CP2020] A new way to award IP points
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 1996 21:06:13 GMT

I have been playing/running the game for about four years.  I love the 
game, but I found that the system it uses for advancement is really hard 
to advance through, and unrealistic.  I overhauled it with the help of a 
good friend of mine, Neil Ellis, and the other players we play with.

Our system revovles around the fact that we thought a character should 
not be able to increase his/her ability in one skill catergory, such as 
INT based skills, by actions they take in another skill catergory.

This came about from an arguement I had with a character who tryed to 
convince me that using his IP that he had gained by using his handgun over 
several sessions could possibly increase his programming skill.

What we decided is that using IP gained by using REF based skill should 
not increase skills rolled under another attribute.  We therefore spilt 
the IP awarded into 8 catergories. Namely, one for each attribute 
(excluding MA, and LUCK), and one for general.

Any IP awarded is then put into it's applicable catergory.  Or, if a 
character gets IP for using his Driving skill, those IP can only be used 
towards increasing other REF based skills. The reason we do this is 
because logically, if one does something physical, one should get better 
at doing physical things.

One way you could award IP is:
-using a skill (even if unsuccessful, you still learn something) +1 IP
-successfully using a skill, if rolled (if in combat, doing damage too)     
                                                                 +1 IP
-using a mundane skill like Personal grooming and wardrobe    +0.1 IP/day
        -these skills are more assumed to be done but not mentioned, or
         rolled!  "I put my clothes on...Oh no, a critical failure, my 
                   pants are on backwards..." [It happened, don't laugh]

and anything else you deem appriopriate.

You might ask how special abilities fit into this?  Simple, if the skill 
is rolled with INT, then it can use INT IP to increase.

The general IP catergory is used for IP awarded for no particular skill 
at all.  Examples ti award general IP for:
-rolling a critical success (rolling a 10)                             +1 IP
-rolling a second success one the first one (roolling 2 10s in a row)  +1 IP
-Roleplaying a situation exceptionally well                            +1 IP
-defeating an enemy or challenge (killing them, winning a facedown...) +1 IP
-using luck successfully                                               +1 IP

and anything else you deem appropriate...

IP awards are cumulative i.e. if a character roleplayed a situation very 
well, where they needed to defeat an enemy,they decide to shoot him/her and 
they added luck to a roll, then rolled 2 tens in a row and defeated their
enemy, I'd have awarded +5 GEN IP, and +2 REf IP.  May sound gratuitous, but 
whats the likelyhood of it happening? That way.

If a character ends up using a skill several itmes in one session, use 
your judgement.  Awarding 50 IP for one gun fight is ridiculous.  Award 1 
IP for using the skill, and maybe .5 for every time they hit for damage.
Modify the system for your own needs.


Curtis Latimer

<[l--i--r] at [server.uwindsor.ca]>
Feel free to drop me an e-mail if 
you want to talk cyberpunk, or whatever.