Okay, okay, maybe this wasn't our idea but
we're putting it in here anyways. Someone we knew (aka Boji) formulated
the original system, but we added some modifications so I guess the system's
somewhat ours. Anywho, enough with that legal technicality thing...
This system is based on the many RPGs on the PlayStation, where the characters do actions based on an active time system. Boji made the basics of this in L5R RPG terms, but it wasn't perfect. Still, the idea was pretty good, and so we decided to post it here. We made some necessary adjustments and so here it is:
(Note for GMs: This system is taxing not only for players, but also for GMs. You may want to think twice before you use it in your current campaign. Still, it adds pace to the same, boring old battles...)
Instead of rolling for Initiative every
round of battle, players would instead roll dice equal to half their Reflexes.
In the case of an odd Reflexes score, you round up but you instead have
a penalty for your rolls. For example:
Moto Dozan is a Rank 2 Unicorn Bushi with Reflexes of 3 while Bayushi Kira is a Rank 2 Scorpion Shugenja with 4 Reflexes. Dozan would be given 2 dice to roll (1/2 Reflexes, rounded up) with a penalty, and Kira will roll 2 dice with no penalty.
The penalties and bonuses will be discussed
later in the page.
All PCs (and NPCs and Monsters) in the battle start rolling their dice at the same time. They will take note of what they get and then roll again. They will then total their rolls and continue rolling until they reach a set total (GM decides, but usually I would set the total at 50). The first one who reaches the total gets to declare their action first. For example:
Moto Dozan and Bayushi Kira are in a one-on-one
Kenjutsu match and they started rolling their dice first. After a
few rolls, Dozan reaches the set total first, so he gets to declare his
action first.
The player who gets to reach the total first gets to declare first, but he must decide fast because time doesn't stop for him. While he's busy thinking of what he's going to do, the other players should continue to roll and add their rolls up until they reach the total. For example:
While Dozan continues to decide whether
he will declare a normal attack or a full attack, Kira keeps on rolling.
Before Dozan declares his action, Kira is able to reach the total and is
ready to declare her action.
When there comes a time that two players have the chance to declare their action first, it becomes a race against time. Whoever declares first at this time is the first one to act (or in normal RPG terms, the one who got the highest initiative). For instance:
Dozan and Kira are now struggling to decide
what they are going to do. Kira suddenly declares that she is going
to declare a Full Defense before Dozan could declare his Full Attack.
Kira's action is then going to be resolved first.
The actions get to be resolved after everyone has reached the total and declared an action. Actions then get to be resolved as normal.
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In any case not covered by these guidelines, the GM decides on the Penalties/Bonuses. The GM also reserves the right to deny any Bonus or waive any Penalty for any reason whatsoever (but I normally won't do that unless the player REALLY deserves a break).