Character Creation

[GandalfOfBorg]

Here is what I see for your character... mind you I have little experience with the old Star Trek systems... don't forget that the totals below are just ranks and such, not including other bonuses from attribute mods, traits, or abilities:

Attributes
Don't know what equivalents would be, so I'll assume no advancements spent here (unless you did)

Skills
Knowledge: Culture (Betazoid, Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian) +2 [5 picks]
Knowledge: History (Betazoid, Federation, Romulan, Klingon, Cardassian) +1 [5 picks]
Knowledge: World (Betazed, Qo'Nos, Romulus, Cardassia Prime, Earth) +1 [5 picks]
Unarmed Combat: Betazoid Martial Arts +2 [2 picks]
Unarmed Combat: Starfleet Self-defense +2 [2 picks]
Ranged Combat: Energy Weapons (Type II Phaser, Phaser Rifle, Disruptor) +2 [5 picks]
Telepathy +4 [2 picks, 2 picks free from racial ability]
Empathy +2 [2 picks]
Mind Control +3 [3 picks]
Mind Shield +3 [3 picks]
Telekinesis +3* [3 picks]
Clairvoyance +3* [3 picks]
Dodge (this is a reaction, not a skill) +2 [4 picks if assuming is favored reaction]
Investigate (Search) +4 [5 picks]
Language: Fed Standard +2 [2 picks]
Language: Betazoid +3 [3 picks]
Lanugage: Klingon +3 [3 picks]
Language: Romulan +2 [2 picks]
Tactics (Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian, Dominion, Breen, Small Unit) +4 [11 picks]
Persuade (Charm, Oratory) +3 [5 picks]
System Operation (Tactical, Command, Communications, Sensors) +2 [6 picks]
Computer Use (Hacking, Retrieve) +2 [4 picks]
Personal Equipment*
Vehicle Operations*
Espionage (Traffic Analysis, Counter Intelligence) +3* [5 picks]
Indoctrinate +1 [1 pick]
Knowledge: Law (Starfleet , Federation, Klingon Defense Force, Interstellar Law) +2 [6 picks]
Command (this is a trait) 2 [4 picks]
Impersonate (Disguise) +1 [2 picks]
Athletics (Jump) +1 [2 picks]
Survival (Urban) +1 [2 picks]
Inquire (Interrogation) +1 [2 picks]
Stealth (Move Silently, Surveil) +2 [4 picks]
Strategic Operations*
Enterprise: Administration (Starfleet) +3 [4 picks]
Engineering: Systems (Security) +2 [3 picks]
Science: Space (Stellar Cartography) +1 [2 picks]

Edges (3 edge max allowed at chargen)
Promotion 5 (Captain) [10 picks]
Bold [2 picks]
Cultural Flexibility [2 picks]
Shrewd [2 picks]
Psionics [free, racial ability]
Skill Focus: Athletic [2 picks]
Ambidexterity 2 [4 picks]
Quick-draw 2 [4 picks]
Toughness (don't know what to do with this, but i bet there is an analog) [2 picks]
Unyielding [2 picks]
Fame (Comes from Second House of Betazed) [2 picks]
Contacts [2 picks]
Commendation X [2 picks for each minor, 4 picks for each major]

Flaws (2 flaws max are allowed at chargen, negating 4 picks from edges)
Obligation* [if bought off with picks, cost is 2]
Argumentative*
Code of Honour*
Chronic Pain* [if bought off with picks, cost is 2]
Enemy (Breen Captain)
Vengeful*
Intolerant (Breen)
Species Emnity (Breen)
Marked Man*
Dark Secret
Devotion (Imzadi)

Renown 34 [68 picks] (77 is ridiculous for CODA, so I cut it in half... cost is high because i made you pay for the renown instead of giving for free as is typical in a game)

Total Picks: 217
Advancements: 37 (subtract 31 picks for chargen, not counting Native Skills which would probably remove about 14-18 picks in my estimation and reduce advancements by around 3) +1 pick

* - Not in CODA, but could be added from old games

[xanatos]

I think you are building the character in the wrong way. You are building a CODA character using ICON methods. With CODA you have one or two Specializations. You don't buy 5 specializations for a skill. You simply raise the skill. You have built an half decent Tactician (counting his spec his tactics is +6) spending 11 picks. The same for System Operation. If you want him to be quite able with all the consoles then buy him a high SysOp. The only "necessary" specialization in CODA are the ones of Medicine and First Aid (if you don't have the right race specialization you have a minus). The other are fully optional.

[Tobian]

Hmm yeah I have to agree about the specialities. Picks wise if you are buying more than 2-3 you're wasting points! You might as well have bought up the parent skill. By definition of the word you can't be 'specialised' in 5 fields!

Without checking the rules.. In coda many professional skills also give you all specialities, such as the engineering one, again making buying them a waste of picks.... but I am not sure on command professional skills, there miht not be an equivalent.

I agree with Ergi, but that's your choice. Coda is actually unusual in that it lists how much experience is spent making a high level character.. Most games systems simply present a set of stats which are appropriate for that person.. and it cost however much it cost. The tail should not wage the dog.. the character needs to be who it needs to be.. in much the same way you have lots of flaws, but only 'paid' for 2, at most, of them.. the rest you have added because you felt they were right for the character to have, because of how she 'roleplayed' as part of the back story.. so how is adding skills, professional abilities or edges any different? You should build the character so it's right.. then if you feel the need count the cost!

[GandalfOfBorg]

Well what I came up with was an attempt to port his character over to CODA with as few changes between the two as possible.

Note: I forgot to add any required advancements for multiple Professions if they are needed. Also, some skills might actually cost more due to them being non-Profession skills, but that is unknown at the time of doing the port. So on a whole, the character should have 30-40 advancements in terms of CODA.

As for specialties, I think they are good to have, even if you have many, for the +2 bonus to the test along with some things use certain specialties as requirements or you get extra bonuses for tests if you have certain specialties (these typically come from an ability).

[Silverstreak]

Interesting character conversion.

The character has only been in starfleet 18 years I think, so according to the CODA rules that's only 18 advancements.

Maybe I'll have to resign myself to the fact you can't convert it or make it under the CODA rules.

Also, what does it mean when it says:

Skill name +2 (2 picks) What does the 2 picks mean?

[Tobian]

Each professional skill costs 1 'pick' each advancement consists of 5 'picks'. Basically he's being really nice and telling you how much each selecton of skills cost you. Look on page 153 to see a breakdown of experience expenditure..

[Silverstreak]

Each professional skill costs 1 'pick' each advancement consists of 5 'picks'. Basically he's being really nice and telling you how much each selecton of skills cost you. Look on page 153 to see a breakdown of experience expenditure..

Cool, thanks, I'll check that out.

[PGoodman13]

Interesting character conversion.

The character has only been in starfleet 18 years I think, so according to the CODA rules that's only 18 advancements.

That's just a guideline, and mostly meant for new characters, not ones with years of history under their belts. For them, there's also the guideline of "Do it 'til it looks right."

Maybe I'll have to resign myself to the fact you can't convert it or make it under the CODA rules.

Piffle. Have you tried Don's conversion rules?

[Silverstreak]

Not yet but I will tomorrow and I'll let you guys know how it went.

[Silverstreak]

The file for the conversion was corrupted when I opened it.

Could someone email it to me or re-post it again.

[Cut]

The file for the conversion was corrupted when I opened it.

Could someone email it to me or re-post it again.

Just mailed you.

[Silverstreak]

I got your email, I had the same problem, it won't open for me. Odd since I have adobe acrobat reader and professional editions...

[Cut]

That's odd. I tried it before sending it. It reported a problem or two a module or stuff couldn't be opened but after that it worked just fine... I'm sorry.

[Silverstreak]

That's odd. I tried it before sending it. It reported a problem or two a module or stuff couldn't be opened but after that it worked just fine... I'm sorry.

That's what I get is some module problem or something only it won't open. Any way you could try sending it as a word document?

[Tobian]

I seriously suggest you upgrade acrobat.. it's either too old or it got a little mangled allong the way..! Either that or make sure you save the file, and don't try and open it from within internet explorer, as the acrobat web plugin is a pain to use sometimes!