Hybrid ICON/CODA system

[Capt Daniel Hunter]

OK here's a question. Would it be possible (or worthwhile) to use a mix of ICON and CODA rules? Taking the good stuff from both systems and combine them.

I think each system has slightly different strengths, and I was wondering if anyone had given any thought to such a hybrid system. Would it be viable or worthwhile?

Personally, I think ICON had a much better character creation system, but CODA has a better skill resolution system. Would it be possible do something as simple as taking an ICON character and using the CODA skill resolution? Or are the two conpletely incompatible?

[D.S.McBride]

An interesting - and very worthwhile, considering recent circumstances - question, Capt. Hunter. Although I've already mentioned this in a number of other threads, my group has started to slowly incorporate the Professional Abilities from Coda into Icon as high skill level perks, much as martial arts students in the latter system can gain special maneuvers.

The process is far from complete - I'd like to get a specific point system worked out for exactly how many perks any given skill can have, to avoid making one skill more "attractive" than another - but at least we've got an idea where we're going. With regard to the skill resolution, we've basically found that Icon has been pretty good for us, although we may indeed start letting some of the Coda elements filter over. With regard to specific game-engine points, as I've pointed out in previous threads, Coda's hand-to-hand combat system is far too wonky and arbitrary to do the job of allowing us to create (frequent!) dynamic scrap scenes.

If there is to be a melding between Icon and Coda, my initial thought on the subject is that some serious work will have to be put into modularizing both systems as much as possible, so that - like a Lego set - individuals can take bits and pieces from each system and customize to their taste. This is, however, a very worthwhile idea, as both game engines have their serious strong points (obviously, our group prefers to stick somewhat closer to Icon), and there could be a great deal gained by following this through.

Got my own game to set up for tomorrow; more later.

[Capt Daniel Hunter]

Well at the moment it's just a seed of an idea for me, though it's one I've been toying with for a while. I think even if CODA does continue to be supprted, I'm going to at least start incorporating some ICON elements into it. I'm already using a hybridised specialisation system.

One of the things I really need to do, is sit down and really brush up on both systems. I haven't been running much lately, and I've gotten pretty rusty on the rules.

[Lancer]

Originally posted by Capt Daniel Hunter
I think even if CODA does continue to be supprted, I'm going to at least start incorporating some ICON elements into it. I'm already using a hybridised specialisation system.

Would you mind telling us a bit more about how you incorporate ICON elements in the CODA system?

Another thing that may be helpful in any discussion about how to integrate both systems would be for you to point out what you consider the strong points of both systems, i.e. what you want to use and why you want to use it.

Without that any discussion about how to integrate both systems is likely to drift off into minute details or over-generalized ideas pretty soon.

[D.S.McBride]

The more I've been thinking about it, the more it seems inevitable that there will be some kind of hybrid system that bridges the gap between the two. In many ways, just about the only common factor Icon and Coda have is that they're d6-based - nonetheless, the fact that neither system is actively, corporately supported (at least at present) makes the inception and popularization of a hybrid system a strong likelihood at the very least.

If there is to be any future support given to Trek RPing, I'd lay a bet on it being Icon; WotC might - just might, mind you - have been laying back and waiting for the Decipher license to expire before they gear up for production again. On the other hand, on this issue I may very well be full of what makes the grass grow green.

[AslanC]

Did anything ever come of this?

Sounds like something I would LOVE to see as I find CODA good, but miss the FASA aspects of the old ICON system too.

[Doug Burke]

Did anything ever come of this?

Sounds like something I would LOVE to see as I find CODA good, but miss the FASA aspects of the old ICON system too.

For my own game, I adapted a version of FASA's lifepath-style pre-advancement. I've been meaning to submit it to GoB for BTFF, but have been fairly busy lately...

[PGoodman13]

I could do with a copy of that myself...we were just talking about something similar to this on Decipher's boards while bemoaning the clowns at the aforementioned company.

[Doug Burke]

I could do with a copy of that myself...we were just talking about something similar to this on Decipher's boards while bemoaning the clowns at the aforementioned company.

Let me get it typed up and I'll mail it to you and GoB both...

[GandalfOfBorg]

Cool, thanks

GOB

[AslanC]

Me too please Doug

On a side note, had our first session back of Ultimate Star Trek last night. Man I missed running Trek