Humanspace Empires question

[monk]

Hi All,

I'm using HE in a new space opera campaign I'm running and have a couple questions about powers. Actually, just one for now:

For Scientist/Nexialist, the text reads that powers "must be chosen in the order presented on the table". Further down, it says that the power gained on a particular roll is "One equivalent level power chosen in order". Now, I'm assuming this one means that a 2nd level PC gets to pick a 2nd level power, but what does "in order" refer to? If you already have Levitate, are you forced to pick Pyrokinesis?

thanks

[derv]

HE is an inspirational piece of work that I've never played as written. I have stolen some ideas from it though. That being said, since no one else has commented, I'll take a stab at it.

Essentially there is always a 10% chance the character will not gain any powers at each level increase. The table requires a d20 roll where results are distributed from 3-20. So, for instance, the character might be at level 4 before he gains any powers. He can only start with level one abilities if it says "pick in order". The reason is that even though he is level 4 he cannot gain Holographic Projection III before knowing HP 1 & 2. If he has all level 1 powers he would pick from level 2 powers.

Now, my reading of the text implies that when it says "chosen by preference" you may choose a power at character level that is not a stepped power. So, our level 4 character could choose Mind Seal, as an example. Or, he could choose a lower level power if preferred. As GM, when this is rolled, you might also allow a character to pick a higher level stepped power even if they do not have the lower level equivalent power.

Think of these in terms of OD&D spells.

[derv]

btw, the rules seemed to still be in development. There were earlier drafts that kind of lumped Psy powers and skills together in a table. The class was only referred to as Scientist. You would roll a d20 and get to pick so many skills/powers from the first 8 on the list, first 9 on list, 10 and so on.

It might be helpful for you to track down the earlier draft and make a decision how you ultimately want to do it.