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Post by Escher on Oct 9, 2012 10:44:19 GMT
Also, Jo has a science skill of zero. I assumed that this was a deliberate choice, reflecting her comment in Terror of the Autons which implies that although she took General Science at A level, she didn't pass! I guess there's a debate as to whether she should actually have Science 1 as she at least took the exam. I'd wholeheartedly agree with you but for the fact that Mickey, Rose and Donna all have Science at 2. I can't see any rule that allows a zero skill but if it's official there should be a reference to it -which brings up another issue. I see the requirement to take a skill at level 3 before having an Area of Expertise has been waived: Benton's Knowledge 1 (Area of Expertise: UNIT), The Brig's Knowledge 2 (Areas of Expertise: Military Tactics, UNIT), Harry Sullivan's Athletics 2 (Area of Expertise: Cricket), Knowledge 1 (Area of Expertise: The Navy), Science 1 (Area of Expertise: Biology) and Captain Magambo's Knowledge 2 (Areas of Expertise: UNIT, Military Tactics). I'm not complaining though, this frees up things and it's more realistic. My one peeve is that this rule change is not explicitly stated.
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misterharry
Dominus Tempus
Dalek Caan's Lovechild
Posts: 3,246
Favourite Doctors: Second, Third, Fourth, Eleventh, Thirteenth
Traits: Empathic, Face in the Crowd, Insatiable Curiosity, Stubborn, Phobia (Heights), Unadventurous
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Post by misterharry on Oct 9, 2012 12:51:21 GMT
I'd wholeheartedly agree with you but for the fact that Mickey, Rose and Donna all have Science at 2. I can't see any rule that allows a zero skill but if it's official there should be a reference to it Does having a skill expressly stated as being zero avoid the -4 penalty for unskilled attempts? If so, how do you buy a zero skill? I suspect the Science 0 was just intended to be a humerous reference rather than anything else. You probably already know that the Primeval RPG has the Hobby trait which effectively allows this. But so far as I'm aware that hasn't been introduced into DWAITAS yet, and even so Hobby can't be purchased multiple times.
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cal585
2nd Incarnation
Posts: 14
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Post by cal585 on Oct 9, 2012 14:28:36 GMT
Just pre-ordered a copy, which is a first for me and not quite sure how it will work. Will I get access to a PDF copy in the next couple of days?
Also, on the topic of the book itself, is it solely UNIT or does it include Torchwood as well? At least from a rules/traits perspective? (To be honest, I've always felt a bit confused about the difference between the two except that Torchwood is solely British and seeks to use Aliens for their own ends). EDIT: That's proper Torchwood to be clear. Not Jack's team but the big organisation that precedes him and then re-establishes itself in the future.
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misterharry
Dominus Tempus
Dalek Caan's Lovechild
Posts: 3,246
Favourite Doctors: Second, Third, Fourth, Eleventh, Thirteenth
Traits: Empathic, Face in the Crowd, Insatiable Curiosity, Stubborn, Phobia (Heights), Unadventurous
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Post by misterharry on Oct 9, 2012 15:31:12 GMT
Just pre-ordered a copy, which is a first for me and not quite sure how it will work. Will I get access to a PDF copy in the next couple of days? You should receive an email from RPGNow with a link to follow and a code to pay for the pdf. You'll need to go through an order process on their site, using the code and you'll then be able to download it. No, it's just UNIT - though there are a few sideways references to Torchwood. I think Torchwood is a separate licence from the BBC, and Cubicle 7 don't have that.
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Post by Pertwee on Oct 9, 2012 15:58:51 GMT
Also, Jo has a science skill of zero. I assumed that this was a deliberate choice, reflecting her comment in Terror of the Autons which implies that although she took General Science at A level, she didn't pass! I guess there's a debate as to whether she should actually have Science 1 as she at least took the exam. Yes, that was a deliberate choice. She was hopeless with science, but very good with 'escapology,' extremely charming and had a knack for causing accidents that somehow turned out for the best (serendipty). I can't say anything about Mickey and Rose, but they were created before the new core box which more clearly defines what various levels mean. I would give Mickey Science 1, tops, and even Rose might have that by the end of her time with the Doctor, but Jo, not until after she married Dr. Jones and travlled with him for awhile.
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Post by Escher on Oct 9, 2012 18:55:08 GMT
Yes, that was a deliberate choice. She was hopeless with science, but very good with 'escapology,' extremely charming and had a knack for causing accidents that somehow turned out for the best (serendipty). So how do we buy a zero-level skill? Also, what's the word on waiving the skill level 3 requirement for Areas of Expertise?
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infinitydoctor
2nd Incarnation
Posts: 116
Favourite Doctors: 2nd and 4th
Traits: Run For Your Life! Technically Adept, Forgetful, Impulsive, Phobia (Snakes)
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Post by infinitydoctor on Oct 9, 2012 19:35:12 GMT
Dunno if this is a mistake or intentional, but the Brigadier's letter on p.57 has CRASH standing for Critical Response And Special Handling, while the main text on p.58 has it as Consolidated Reconnaissance, Analysis, Security and Handling.
Great book though, shows a lot of love for the subject matter.
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Post by garethl on Oct 9, 2012 19:51:04 GMT
Dunno if this is a mistake or intentional, but the Brigadier's letter on p.57 has CRASH standing for Critical Response And Special Handling, while the main text on p.58 has it as Consolidated Reconnaissance, Analysis, Security and Handling. Great book though, shows a lot of love for the subject matter. One in-universe explanation could be that in the "pilot"-phase it was called Critical Response and Special Handling, but UNIT decided to rename it at some point, for some reason.
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infinitydoctor
2nd Incarnation
Posts: 116
Favourite Doctors: 2nd and 4th
Traits: Run For Your Life! Technically Adept, Forgetful, Impulsive, Phobia (Snakes)
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Post by infinitydoctor on Oct 9, 2012 21:08:49 GMT
One in-universe explanation could be that in the "pilot"-phase it was called Critical Response and Special Handling, but UNIT decided to rename it at some point, for some reason. Maybe the United Nations complained about the first iteration....
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Post by garethl on Oct 10, 2012 16:22:11 GMT
One in-universe explanation could be that in the "pilot"-phase it was called Critical Response and Special Handling, but UNIT decided to rename it at some point, for some reason. Maybe the United Nations complained about the first iteration.... If the CRASH teams ever come up in my campaign, that is going to be the reason. I know UNIT is UNIT, but I "missed" a few non-lethal* options like tasers or those massive sonic guns. Shouldn't be too hard to homebrew, though. I have a question about the hand-cannon category. It states that the recoil makes you black-out for a split second. Is that true in real-life and how does that work? I wish Cubicle7 had the license for and made a Torchwood rpg, preferably compatible with Dw:AiTaS. * I know non-lethal might not be the best description, maybe less-lethal or almost non-lethal.
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misterharry
Dominus Tempus
Dalek Caan's Lovechild
Posts: 3,246
Favourite Doctors: Second, Third, Fourth, Eleventh, Thirteenth
Traits: Empathic, Face in the Crowd, Insatiable Curiosity, Stubborn, Phobia (Heights), Unadventurous
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Post by misterharry on Oct 13, 2012 9:41:58 GMT
I've collected various comments from this thread into an "unofficial errata" sheet for ease of reference. Hopefully at least some of these will be corrected in the print version, but in the meantime this file can be downloaded here: www.mediafire.com/?434t0p96d3832d8,sb7orlqtbse18xb,zm21i0a82k7x1zl,qdnv3946y9i3tr6,4uyweejbhkjq45q,13ezi26xon8xe6h,x11r9534r498o89,a1xn3q5o18sn55o,7nn3g4veaup1t45,zh1r10s8h36q00y,2wdbioph3i753sn,v8r2frbc238lcie,vlbdy1c2m58go2y,794bmmsx0xiy1q1,7gegauigm1v17hz,watnbb2699l2fm3
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Post by thewarchief on Nov 3, 2012 1:16:26 GMT
I've read that the combat rules have been changed a bit to reflect the more military focus of UNIT. Could somebody with the UnIT sourcebook explain how combat works now?
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Post by garethl on Nov 3, 2012 13:21:49 GMT
I've read that the combat rules have been changed a bit to reflect the more military focus of UNIT. Could somebody with the UnIT sourcebook explain how combat works now? The combat rules themselves haven't changed that much. Firearms now have range increments(short,medium, far) and penalties for every increment. Also rules for recoil in the form of penalties for firing more than once in a round and some rules for explosives (grenades). There are some combat related character traits, but they mostly give some boni. And of course the (advanced) mass combat rules. The only real change to combat rules is the addition of aiming. Spending one Action Round aiming without interruption gives a bonus to the attack roll in the next round.
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Post by thewarchief on Nov 4, 2012 1:46:45 GMT
Thanks, garethl.
Are there any new weapon stats? What new vehicles are there?
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Post by garethl on Nov 4, 2012 10:47:18 GMT
Thanks, garethl. Are there any new weapon stats? What new vehicles are there? There are stats for 12 weapons: 5 types of pistol, shotgun, (assault) rifle, sniper rifle, (sub)-machine gun, grenades, rocket launcher and bomb(C4). Vehicles: Jeep, Tank, Truck, 3 types of Aeroplane, Hovercraft, two types of helicopters. In my opinion Defending the Earth is well worth the money. I especially like the base building and mass-combat rules(have only read them, but they seem simple and fun).
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Post by thewarchief on Nov 4, 2012 16:27:00 GMT
Sounds, good and thanks.
It's on my list of things to get.
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Post by Escher on Nov 23, 2012 13:26:31 GMT
Not wishing to appear like a curmudgeon at all but…
I feel the decision to omit monsters, aliens and villains from the UNIT sourcebook was a mistake. I’ve been using the book now since the pdf was released and while it’s quite good, it really does feel to me and my group that chapter two ‘History of UNIT’, is screaming out for writeups of the beasties.
I read a comment on rpg.net from one of the C7 team that the decision to edit out the creatures was made so that they wouldn’t have to repeat things for the 2nd and 3rd Doctor’s sourcebooks (and others). That’s not really a solid reason in my opinion. Giving writeups of The Master, Axos, Daemons, Bok, Cybermen and Yeti’s is not going to scuttle whole sourcebooks. It depends on the writing and format surely? A stat block for Axos or a Yeti is not the same as an in-depth writeup with accompanying background / technology is it? As a result, once you have got over the initial wow factor of seeing the book out, it feels incomplete.
As an alternative, some whovian UNIT adversarial archetypes could have been useful: mad science group, renegades, lost Earth-based races etc.
Aliens not included in a UNIT sourcebook is no fun. Sorry guys.
I hope this will be of use as a constructive criticism for future benefit. An honest opinion.
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Post by elbarre on Nov 24, 2012 21:56:06 GMT
Well, if you had all the monsters in the Unit sourcebook, why would you need the 3rd doctor sourcebook? As for the Unit adversaries, couldn't you just use the stats they give for building bases as a generic start for any group? Even a Torchwood team? I love Dr Who and the game but to me if I already had all the main players stats in one book I might think twice about buying another just because it might have a few extra things in it. I see your point though I too cant wait to get those stats as well!
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Post by Escher on Nov 28, 2012 0:53:18 GMT
Well, if you had all the monsters in the Unit sourcebook, why would you need the 3rd doctor sourcebook? As for the Unit adversaries, couldn't you just use the stats they give for building bases as a generic start for any group? Even a Torchwood team? I love Dr Who and the game but to me if I already had all the main players stats in one book I might think twice about buying another just because it might have a few extra things in it. I see your point though I too cant wait to get those stats as well! What set us off was my 12-year old nephew asking me where the monsters where. I told him they were saving them for other books and he looked at me with an expression like 'are you crazy?'.
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Post by Kit on Nov 28, 2012 20:58:09 GMT
I was disappointed by the lack of 'monsters' in this set. I think what made it worse was that classic monsters were pictured on the cover.
Did we get stats for the Delgado Master? if not, we're likely to have a long wait for stats for the Delgado, Ainley, and Simms Masters
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Post by Escher on Nov 30, 2012 21:02:26 GMT
Sorry - I hope I didn't step on anyone's toes here. Seeing it from a kid's point of view did make me review my opinion. From an end-user's viewpoint it is a bit of a let-down but the end product is still wonderfully good - I should have stressed that. I appreciate it and all the work in it 100%. No question of that. I was just making a point. I am and will always be a huge supporter of the game.
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Post by Pertwee on Dec 14, 2012 22:55:25 GMT
The Simms Master and the dying 13th Incarnation of the Master are in the TTC.
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Post by Escher on Dec 14, 2012 22:58:55 GMT
The Simms Master and the dying 13th Incarnation of the Master are in the TTC. Wonderful! ;D
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Post by Kit on Dec 15, 2012 2:24:46 GMT
The Simms Master and the dying 13th Incarnation of the Master are in the TTC. Groovy! I cant wait to see what else has changed from the playtest
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Post by Pertwee on Dec 17, 2012 19:13:30 GMT
The Simms Master and the dying 13th Incarnation of the Master are in the TTC. Groovy! I cant wait to see what else has changed from the playtest Honestly, so much has shifted, been deleted and been added that it would be almost impossible to list the changes. Mainly, the 11 Doctors chapter is gone, I've added Cheap & Nasty Time Travel rules as an option for those who don't want to do the full TARDIS rules, I've added a section on creating weapons of Time War levels of weirdness (approved by the Beeb, no less) and, of course, it's now a book with tables instead of a box with cards. So even the playtesters should have a surprise or two awaiting them...
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Post by Escher on Dec 17, 2012 21:08:46 GMT
the 11 Doctors chapter is gone Didn't I read somewhere that this is being released seperately after the TTC? If so, when? Thanks!
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cal585
2nd Incarnation
Posts: 14
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Post by cal585 on Dec 20, 2012 7:50:53 GMT
I can't bear to hear any more about TTC. It's as painful as dwelling on the fact that The Hobbit will be in 3 parts. The anticipation is already taking years off my life The good news is that my UNIT book has apparently shipped. I'd actually forgotten I had a hard copy coming but now I'm really looking forward to getting it. The PDF is great but nothing compares to a real book.
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Rassilon
Administrator
Grand Administrator
Posts: 751
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Post by Rassilon on Dec 20, 2012 12:36:42 GMT
Does anyone know if the hardcopy book is available in the UK yet?
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misterharry
Dominus Tempus
Dalek Caan's Lovechild
Posts: 3,246
Favourite Doctors: Second, Third, Fourth, Eleventh, Thirteenth
Traits: Empathic, Face in the Crowd, Insatiable Curiosity, Stubborn, Phobia (Heights), Unadventurous
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Post by misterharry on Dec 20, 2012 12:49:56 GMT
Does anyone know if the hardcopy book is available in the UK yet? I had an email yesterday from Cubicle 7 Fulfilment in Essex informing me that my pre-order copy had been dispatched. So yes - I'm expecting mine any day... Don't know whether it's reached the shops yet though.
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misterharry
Dominus Tempus
Dalek Caan's Lovechild
Posts: 3,246
Favourite Doctors: Second, Third, Fourth, Eleventh, Thirteenth
Traits: Empathic, Face in the Crowd, Insatiable Curiosity, Stubborn, Phobia (Heights), Unadventurous
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Post by misterharry on Dec 21, 2012 8:49:19 GMT
My copy of the book arrived yesterday, the same day as the pdf of The Time Traveller's Companion - Christmas has truly come early this year! Pleased to see that most of the typos and errors from the pdf version which were pointed out in this thread have been corrected. So for example, the 3rd Doctor now has Distinctive instead of Face in the Crowd, and Jo has a couple of points in Subterfuge. Big thanks to Pertwee for picking these up and making sure the corrections were made. I doff my hat to you, sir!
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