Quick Question for Developing Project

[TheLonelyScribe]

Which is better notation for an ability (M is an ability score, the numbers at the begginings of descriptions/n is the result of a roll):


Fire
Detonate: Default range: 3M squares. Default target: one square. 1: 1 fire attack; 2: 3 fire attack; 3: 5 fire attack or 3 fire attack to someone within double range; 4: 7 fire attack or 3 fire attack in two squares; 5: 8 fire attack or 4 fire attack in two squares; 6: 9 fire attack or 5 fire attack in two squares; 7: 10 fire attack or 6 fire attack in two squares; 8: 11 fire attack or 7 fire attack in two squares or 3 fire attack in four squares; 9: 8 fire attack in two squares; 10: 5 fire attack in four squares; 11: 9 fire attack in two squares; 12: 6 fire attack in four squares; 13: 10 fire attack in two squares; 14: 7 fire attack in four squares; 15: 4 fire attack in eight squares; 16: 11 fire attack in two squares; 17: 8 fire attack in four squares; 18: 5 fire attack in eight squares

OR

Fire
Detonate:
2n-1 fire attack on one square within 3M range, 2n-3 fire attack on one square within 6M range, 2n-5 fire attack on one square within 9M range etc. to a maximum of an 11 attack. For increasing the range of attacks affecting more than one square simply apply another -2 decrease to the attack for each 3M increase in range.
If 3<n<12, n-1 fire attack on two adjacent squares within 3M range. For each two by which n exceeds 9, decrease the attack by a further -1.
If 7<n<16, n-5 fire attack on four adjacent squares within 3M range. For each two by which n exceeds 10, decrease the attack by a further -1.
If 14<n<22, n-11 fire attack on eight adjacent squares within 3M range. For each two by which n exceeds 14, decrease the attack by a further -2.

I'm not asking for balance feedback yet, I just want to know which one is easier and clearer and would work better.

[Mulletmanalive]

the second is slightly clearer, but still muddy.

Tables are your friend when presenting information like this, so i'd suggest figuring out how to implement such things.

I'm struggling to follow the second, now that I look at it but at least i can actually read it; i have imperfect eyes and the block of text that is the first is just blurring together.

[TheLonelyScribe]

I've simplified it a bit from how it was before. Do you think I still need a table?
WALs are basically the equivalent of damage. Factor is the same thing as 'n' above.

Fire
Detonate: You may apply fire WALs equal to your spell factor-1 to one creature or object within 3M squares, with a maximum of 11 levels. If you accept a -2 penalty to your factor you can increase the range of the spell by 3M squares. If you accept a -1 penalty to your factor you can increase the number of creatures and objects affected by one, but they must all be in adjacent squares. If you accept a -2 penalty to your factor you can increase the number of creatures or objects affected by one, and it need not be in an adjacent square.

[Veklim]

I'd say yes, you still need a table. Presenting information like this is precisely what they're there for.
Similarly you'll maybe want something akin to the 'additional modifiers' type table for all the factor/benefit payoffs you're going for.

[TheLonelyScribe]

How's this? Of course, there will be other abilities referring to the same tables.


Some tables are presented here. Some Spell Nodes will refer to these.

WAL Table (1)
{table=head]Factor|No. WALs
1|0
2|1
3|2
4|3
5|4
6|5
7|6
8|7
9|8
10|9
11|10
12+|11[/table]
Each additional spell node of the same type increases the maximum damage by two.

Extra Range Table (2)
{table=head]Bonus to Range|Penalty to Factor
+3M|-2
+6M|-4
+9M|-6
(+3M)|(-2)[/table]

Extra Targets In Adjacent Squares Table (3)
{table=head]Number of Extra Targets|Low Penalty|Medium Penalty|High Penalty
1|-2|-3|-4
2|-3|-4|-6
3|-4|-6|-8
4|-5|-7|-10
5|-6|-9|-12
6|-7|-10|-14
7|-8|-12|-16
(+1)|(-1)|(-1.5)|(-2)[/table]

Extra Targets Not In Adjacent Squares Table (4)
{table=head]Number of Extra Targets|Low Penalty|Medium Penalty|High Penalty
1|-3|-4|-5
2|-4|-6|-7
3|-7|-10|-12
4|-10|-14|-17
5|-13|-18|-22
6|-16|-22|-
7|-19|- |-[/table]

Extra Duration Table (5)
{table=head]Number of Extra Units of Time|Low penalty|High Penalty
1|-2|-4
2|-3|-6
3|-4|-8
4|-5|-10
5|-6|-12
6|-7|-14
7|-8|-16
(+1)|(-1)|(-2)[/table]



Fire
Detonate: You may apply fire WALs according to the WALs Table (Table 1) to a target within 3M squares.
Alterations: Extra Range, Medium Penalty Extra Targets

[Veklim]

Yup, looks much better. The info is actually accessible now, not in a huge chunk of text. As long as those tables apply to multiple spells/abilities/whatever then it's more concise too.
Incidentally, this system of yours is intriguing me...have I missed you posting it or is it still in early development?

[TheLonelyScribe]

Still in development. I'm planning on play-testing it over the summer, and posting it on these forums. It has a chance to go really well, as I'm including a few features I've never heard of as being in any other system, but it also has a chance to fall into obscurity. Fingers crossed!

[Veklim]

...It has a chance to go really well...but it also has a chance to fall into obscurity.

C'est la vie dude!

Fingers crossed!

Me too, fingers and toes