Rumble in the Jungle-LUG vs. CODA

[Kronok]

WARNING!!!

This thread has the potential to get ugly and have it closed, so let’s keep it clean.

I am placing this thread in GENERAL CHAT (I was going to put it in “General RP, Systems, & Mechanics” where it belongs, but decided against it.) I feel we should all have the right to speak our minds in an open forum, but I am predicting that some of our thoughts will not be very Trek-like. This website contains the greatest Trek minds in the galaxy, so it seems only fair that this should be discussed here.

The following post got me thinking:

Originally posted by StyroFoam Man

Played Coda, Played LUG.

Prefer LUG, so do the players. So we stick with LUG.

I am curious about what are people’s thoughts on the two systems as far as their preferences and why. Actually, I am curious about your thoughts StyroFoam Man because you have a unique view from what I have seen in the forums.

Why do you prefer LUG or CODA? What portions of each system do you like or dislike?

(I like portions of each system, but I will wait to hear what others have to say before I respond.)

Let the games begin!!!

[KillerWhale]

I generally prefer CODA over LUG for several reasons:

- smoothness (much more space to breathe and evolve, concerning the skill numbers)
- probability curves (there's too much a big step between throwing 2D6 and 4D6 keeping the maximum dice, versus summing 2D6 - the "study" can be found here: http://forum.trek-rpg.net/showthread...&threadid=6139 )
- "customizability" the professional and species abilites are a great plus, so are the elite professions
- the starship combat system which catches a lot better the feel IMO.

So for me LUG is, to be honest, not much of a good system. What's truly positive about LUG is the great quantity and quality of the material released - once CODA has as much, it will truly be a killer.

We had a lot of fun playing LUG! But IMO, Coda is much more mature.

[Kronok]

COOL!!! One normal post and counting!!!

[StyroFoam Man]

This message has been removed on request by the
poster

[Lancer]

I prefer CODA for much the same reasosn as Killer Whale, except for the space combat rules which I haven't tried in actual gameplay yet (even if I believe they will work just fine ).

I especially enjoy the way CODA allows me to customize my character. During our LUG playing the only thing on my character sheet that changed after my character switched branches from science to command was that I started spending more points on the Command skill, which never saw any use during actual gameplay. Now, with CODA, I have professional abilities, professional skills and an easier time buying new advantages to enhance the things that are important for a command officer.

[Robbert Raets]

While Coda has it's advantages, I feel the Icon system is easier to customise. I don't like the 'professional v/s cross-class' skill buy.

Your Lightyearage May Vary

[Dr. Jonas Bashir]

I prefer CODA. The system holds up much better than ICON during gameplay. I felt that, sometimes, with ICON, the drama die was king, and that was when I had many experienced characters playing. CODA reflects the differences better: experienced characters stand up well against rookies, and I don't mean just globally but in individual skills as well. No weak engineer will stand ground against a Klingon in a fight. Not even if he tries twice. Let's go to the example...

This is from Star Trek: Crossroads, my latest campaign. On Starbase 19, in the bar, Captain (R) Hugo Benitez started a bar brawl with a Klingon soldier from Ambassador Karthlak's delegation. The first time he ended bleeding, lying unconscious on the ground (two or three blows from a generic Klingon NPC finished him). So, this time he brought a baseball bat, VERY badly concealed in his jacket (he doesn't have Conceal, go figure ). He comes across the Klingons in the bar once again, and insults the soldier when he recognizes him. Karthlak tells him to stay quiet, but Hugo redoubles his efforts. Not only Karthlak now lets his soldier act, but the Klingon NPC quickly notices the bat Hugo is carrying. So he draws his bat'leth and... well, good thing that something called Starfleet Security exists or that would have been Hugo RIP (he had two VERY lucky Quickness reactions to dodge, I must say).

I became in love with the system thanks to the easyness of its HtH combat system. Other tasks feel 'real' in resolution, too. And I don't worry that much about character creation. It just needs maneuvers, like ICON. What, did I hear they are coming on the Starfleet Operations Manual?

[Don Mappin]

Originally posted by StyroFoam Man
We prefer LUG's character generation, and the starship combat system.

Wow. I have to admit in 4+ years that's the first time I've heard that.