Military Sci fi with powerful PCs (Traveller Halo)

[Monkey_Bloke]

With the release of the Xbox game Halo Wars I have been thinking about the Halo universe and if it is possible to run an RPG in that (or a similar) setting.
I'm not entirely convinced about running a military game, but the idea intrigues me.
I am wondering how "generic sci-fi" MGT can be, specifically if it can model powerful characters and NPCs that are far above human norm (i.e. genetically and cybernetically augmented types like Master Chief, and powerful aliens such as the Elites and Brutes).

Does the game allow for that level of action/military play, or is combat too deadly or long winded/complex for a lot of combat?

 

[dmccoy1693]

Combat definitely isn't to complex. Short explaination of combat: roll 2d6, add your combat skill/ability modifier, a result of an 8 or higher means you hit. Roll damage, add in how much more you beat the 8 by from the to hit roll, subtract armor, apply damage. That's it.

Augments like cybernetics, subdermal armor are covered in the book.

If you wanted to play someone above average human, I'd either hand out additional skill points at chargen or allow players to add +2 to one of their abilities and a +1 to another (or both).

Things like Master Chief's suped up armor can handle most of the damage and account for like rapid healing.

Traveller can handle that.

 

[phild]

One of the best ways to handle enhanced PCs without affecting game balance is instead of (or as well as ) boosting PC attributes, reduce enemy attributes. That way, any game balance issues are averted on the part of the PCs, who after all do have the vast majority of game play / rules interactions; any issues with the new lower NPC stats can be mostly handwaved.

 

[Monkey_Bloke]

I had the same thought about scaling everything back to "enhanced" people (the PCs) are the baseline and "normal" people are weaker than a standard PC.

I'm also thinking about Starship Troopers style power armour (from the book, or the marauders from the animated show), are there any rules for that sort of thing in the book or any of the supplements?
Speaking of supplements, are there any that are useful for military-style games? Or am I better off waiting for the upcoming Hammers Slammers book?

 

[Walker]

I'm also thinking about Starship Troopers style power armour (from the book, or the marauders from the animated show), are there any rules for that sort of thing in the book or any of the supplements?
Speaking of supplements, are there any that are useful for military-style games? Or am I better off waiting for the upcoming Hammers Slammers book?

BattleDress is the powered armour used in Traveller. It has many (all?) of the characteristics of Starship Troopers powered armour.