is there a link somewhere for the backers of the Kickstarter to get the playtest file(s)? As to what I'd like to see in EP2 is concrete fluff example of the Mesh. that's what always gives me trouble describing

I don't want setting changes, but I would like more variety in how setting fluff is presented. Seeing some sympathetic stances on the PC and Jovians would be lovely, as would seeing folks who point out the flaws in Autonomist and Scum living. As it stands now, the game sometimes stumbles into "flawless anarchists fight cartoonishly evil hierarchies," which cheapens the entire conflict; more nuance would be lovely.

I have a whole laundry list of things I'd love to see changed, but I can't remember them in the slightest, so I'm just going to say this for now: Suggestions on open-ended skill things, like Knowledge skills. You wouldn't believe the amount of time I've wasted on character generation, just staring at the sheet and thinking "okay, so what skills would be useful?" I'd dearly love some examples of useful Knowledge/Piloting/Hardware skills, and where they might be useful. Include some esoteric ones too, if you like.

atamajakki wrote:

I don't want setting changes, but I would like more variety in how setting fluff is presented. Seeing some sympathetic stances on the PC and Jovians would be lovely, as would seeing folks who point out the flaws in Autonomist and Scum living. As it stands now, the game sometimes stumbles into "flawless anarchists fight cartoonishly evil hierarchies," which cheapens the entire conflict; more nuance would be lovely.

Absolutely, completely, 100% this. Please. EDIT: Also nuking Exotic Weapon skills into dust would be much nice :D

UnitOmega wrote:

The playtest references a single "Guns" skill so I think you're gonna luck out on this one.

PRAISE THE SUN

I would love to see an overhaul of hacking. In particular breaking it down into action phases, even if the initial hacking remains a task action. The current hacking system is suitable if you never leave the mold of a PC hitting some server that's passively defended. But it also got complex and fell apart if it ever turned into a hacker vs hacker situation. In short I'd like to see hacking become a more codified type of combat system. If you end up having to deal with an admin or someone is trying to hack your cyberbrain you can actually "fight" them. Things I've considered when trying to houserule some changes is an access level number. A basic action/attack would be to try and lower another user's access level or raise your own. Depending on the difference between your levels it lets you perform other actions against them. Like trace their location, identify them, or if your level difference is enough even just lock out the account they're using.

Some time ago I made a flowchart for making attacks in Eclipse Pase. It looks like this. It's long been my opinion that this is far too complicated for an action that occurs multiple times (at least once per character) in a combat round. I'd like to see combat streamlined somewhat; I have some specific ideas in mind, but I'll hold off on sharing them until I see what you fine folks at Posthuman have been working on. No sense in reinventing the wheel.

EDIT: This post got long and is starting to sound like a list of demands, so I'm breaking this up a bit... So first things I'd personally like to see are quality of life things: Firstly, clarity on the interactions regarding Complex/Quick/Mental actions, especially where implants that deal with them work (mental speed/multitasking). I understand how they work but I find it difficult to explain to my players at times because the rules as written aren't exactly straightforward. Secondly, anything that makes it easier as a GM to handle rep/credits, especially favour tracking and morph brokerage. Hell, anything that makes GMing easier is a win in my books. Everything that follows is more my 'things that would be nice to see' list, I've hidden it in the spoiler tag because: a) this post is getting quite long and b) I don't want to come across as too demanding.

So I've never actually played the game though I'd love to. The problem for me is that I'm the only one I know that has to the game, so it'd fall to me to GM it, but the game is quite intimidating. In part because the system seems quite complicated, hopefully this will be fixed by the streamlining. And in part because the genre is quite hard to GM well. Which is why the thing I'd see improved is the GMing bits of the book. In the current core book there appear to be only 3.5 pages on how to GM the game (the GM practicalities part), which hardly seems enough. Guidance on how to do horror and/or investigation style game well would be nice. The point is that a lot of RPGs seem content to leave a GM to their own devices and not provide much beyond a setting and rules, it'd be nice if EP wasn't like that.

Hmm... A few ideas come to mind. I would like it if some terms got renamed in the second edition: -XP (Experience): Conflicts with xp used in RPGs and video games. Maybe rename it to LM (Life Media). -Jamming (bots): Conflicts with jamming radio signals and the like. Maybe rename it to Ghosting. A better distinction between aptitude bonuses to SOM and a morph's physical strength. Some morphs have aptitude bonuses to SOM. However, in some arguments on these forums, it has been argued that aptitude bonuses to SOM are due to physical qualities of the morph, and not the brain. It can also be confusing to use small morphs, which have SOM caps, and jamming. It is possible for a neotonic's aptitude cap to hinder strong morphs when jamming, such as jamming a Reaper or Daitya. Improvements to remote control and jamming of bots and morphs. I get a little confused at times. Improvements to Flexbots. I found that its often much better to strip away aptitude bonuses to keep the costs down. That way you can afford to use multiple Flexbot modules. Bigger guns, heavy artillery, and tanks. I know the focus of this game is more character scale, but sometimes players might have to face off against actual war machines. More damage, big seekers with multiple units of ammunition, and DUR/armor that will allow them to take a serious beating. And maybe a few defense systems shown in X-Risks.

[b]Character Generation[/b] [i]1000 points![/i] Character generation in EP1E was a process of assigning 1000 points where the smallest possible division was 0.1 (for Rep) but for most intents and purposes the smallest useful chunk was 5 points, since all modifiers in the game were ±5, with the vast majority ±10. I'd like to see a game where character generation is simpler! [i]The value of Permanence[/i] It's fairly easy to "lose" character generation by investing CP in things that you can lose, such as morphs and gear. Losing those things or being unable to find a buyer for them when egocasting was a quick way to lose a lot of utility from one's character. I'd like to see a game where characters don't lose CP/Rez just because they made poor, uninformed choices in character generation. [b]Skills[/b] EP1E was very vague on how skills functioned. Combat skills, hacking skills - any skill that had a dedicated subsystem - had well-defined utilities, but Academic skills, Professional skills, social skills many Technical skills, etc. were left largely up to the GM. More robust support how how non-combat, non-hacking skills are actually used would be nice. [b]Combat:[/b] I felt that combat in EP1E was a bit of a chore because it came down to slugging it out with ablative weapons and getting big damage numbers. Something either vastly simpler or less about slugging it out and more about accomplishing things would be nice.

Trappedinwikipedia wrote:

Just thought of another thing: Explicit rules for how much computer you need to accelerate a simspace or infomorph. It's hard to say how hard it is to get 60x time acceleration, but that's pretty powerful trick, so it'd be nice to know if it's hard to easy.

I'ma expand on this request: can we get some more concrete rules on computer hardware in general? I'm not asking for exact stats of computers, but there must be some way to quantify the processing power of any given mesh, because every mesh will be different depending on the total number of devices and quantity of processing traffic. For example, I could never find out how many devices one had to distribute their ego across in first edition to gain the benefits of distributed computing. Is it two? Three? I know the point was to handwave it, but the numbers matter when you're, for example, trying to maintain an encrypted and isolated mesh with egos actively running.

Character Abilities. Can we please have traits/gear that are more flexible and modular? Instead of "This piece of equipment gives this trait" or "This piece of gear is only usable by biomorphs but there's an identical piece that's usable by everyone", can we just have the Ability along with it's cost to acquire it as a trait, psychosurgical implant, augmentation, program and so forth, and/or have them arranged by what types of morph can take it? I'd really like to, say, give my AGI characters/NPCs software as Traits, or give Technoprogressives Mental Augmentations via psychosurgery, or have my Gunmonkey have his rifle blueprint embedded in his mind... that sort of thing. Secondly I'd like to see more levelled gear, or gear with optional upgrades listed. V1 mentions that better gear can exist, but leaves the details up to the GM... and it keeps coming up. Gunmonkeys want individualised rifles, Tech support wants proprietary software, the social character wants a fancy suit... meanwhile, I'm trying to work out what my alien creatures should have for their melee damage and think of ways to make them stand out. Also, have things like claws and other natural attacks as gear. Not having these options from the get-go simply makes me have more work to do. On the flip side, can we have fewer pieces of gear which are redundant? We don't need 6 different augmentations to grant a morph innate armour, we need two levelled augmentations.; one that stacks with clothing, and one which doesn't. Finally, maybe make Knowledge skills into … not skills? Make them Specialisations? General Setting I'd really like to see the more Futuristic and Transhuman parts of the setting have a more direct presence in the rules. Things like having Skillsofts be a basic character ability, Mesh inserts/biomods being able to simulate drug effects or repair damage, your Muse and other AIs being part of how you use your skills instead of a separate entity... that sort of thing. I don't necessarily want to see drastic rule changes, but these things can easily be used to justify abilities that characters have because they're RPG characters or otherwise aid game flow. Characters should feel like Transhumans from the get-go - the GM (aka Me) shouldn't have to work to make it clear. Another simple example: get rid of specific Languages - everyone is fluent (or can fake it) in all 'normal' languages with dialects or artificial languages being handled by a single Linguistics skill.

Trappedinwikipedia wrote:

Explicit rules for how much computer you need to accelerate a simspace or infomorph. It's hard to say how hard it is to get 60x time acceleration, but that's pretty powerful trick, so it'd be nice to know if it's hard to easy.

Either this or make it clear that things like time dilation or spinning off forks is already incorporated into your interactions.

Just dumped a big writeup in the feeback discussion, so I'll leave some thoughts here... Things Already In the Playtest, WOO: [list] [*] Goodbye 'Networking' skill, just roll against your rep. We've had this as a house rule for almost a year and everyone likes it [*] A single 'Guns' skill. Thank Jesus. [*] Clearer action economy with a hard limit on quick actions per turn. [/list] Additional Wishes: [list] [*] Make "second shots" and focused fire for SA and Burst weapons use a quick action for the second shot. This preserves their value over SS weapons, but makes the tradeoffs clearer. Currently, it's unclear why someone would ever NOT fire a second time, other than ammo conservation. [*] Generally speaking, make sure that the gear and traits take full advantage of the new system tools. Say, a combat drug that refreshes your Vigor pool by 1 point each combat turn, but empty out ALL of your pools once combat is over? Hmmmm... In past versions, it was tough to do more than bump SPD, REF, DUR, or damage to give players an edge in combat. Now it feels like there's an open playing field. [*] As others have said, hacking needs an overhaul. It's currently freeform enough to allow lots of improvisation… but rules-heavy enough that simple tasks get bogged down in calculating access level disparities, etc. Not sure what the best solution is, but starting with a much more explicit set of "hacking actions", and allowing gear or traits to add additional ones, might be a way to start. [/list]

Another one, Skillware. I think skillware was unclear in first edition. It didn't explain how skill points were allocated, it didn't explain whether or not aptitudes factored in the equation at all, or even if you could boost the skills beyond 40 with aptitudes (or some other factor). I would like it if skillware boosted 3 to 5 skills to rank 40 (maximum), or something as clear and simple as that.

This isn't a mechanical thing so much as a formatting thing, but as a GM I'd love to see some way to toggle something like a spoiler blackout of text of the sort found in the Game Information section of 1E Core, so that I can show it to players without them finding out about stuff like the ETI.

I'd expect if we hit the "Player's Guide" stretch that'll kind of be what that is for. Hand somebody that and A Time of Eclipse and they have their 10c version of the game to run with.

Keep in mind that vigor is replacing speed, not augmenting it...

As a variant: group pool sharing (refresh by achieving goals, motivations, milestones) and reduced individual pools.

A distinct feel in terms of mechanics/gameplay between biomorphs, synthmorphs and infomorphs.

...between biomorphs and synthmorphs. Some people like to feel the wind on their face, eat, drink, and screw, and while you can get all of that in AR and VR, it's not the same. Moreover, the fidelity and span of different morphs' sensoriums should make a difference, and there's no way a Case will be as "comfortable" as a Galatea. Or, to put it another way, as someone pointed out above, there's very little reason not to take a synth into every firefight (you can generally forgive Social modifiers when the bullets start flying), and this could do with some balancing, in the form of mental problems, physical limitations, buggy code, etc. Arguably, this flies in the face of the trans/posthuman ethos of progress irrespective of if that means leaving our old, soft, fleshy bodies behind, but from a balance perspective there's definitely a need.

Aurell1an wrote:

...between biomorphs and synthmorphs. Some people like to feel the wind on their face, eat, drink, and screw, and while you can get all of that in AR and VR, it's not the same. Moreover, the fidelity and span of different morphs' sensoriums should make a difference, and there's no way a Case will be as "comfortable" as a Galatea. Or, to put it another way, as someone pointed out above, there's very little reason not to take a synth into every firefight (you can generally forgive Social modifiers when the bullets start flying), and this could do with some balancing, in the form of mental problems, physical limitations, buggy code, etc. Arguably, this flies in the face of the trans/posthuman ethos of progress irrespective of if that means leaving our old, soft, fleshy bodies behind, but from a balance perspective there's definitely a need.

The new pools might provide some options. For example, perhaps synthmorphs will have the largest pool capacities around, but less access to Flex (this is what I originally thought Flex was gonna be for, myself).

I would really like to see some more stuff for spaceships, making them more than just plot devices that take you from point A to point B. I'm running essentially a transhuman version of the Expanse, but the lack of spaceship rules mean my campaign is a kitbash of Eclipse Phase, M-Space, and some Traveller. Which isn't always an easy sell to players.

Decivre wrote:

The new pools might provide some options. For example, perhaps synthmorphs will have the largest pool capacities around, but less access to Flex (this is what I originally thought Flex was gonna be for, myself).

That's a damn fine idea. If the new pool attributes are as vital as I'm hoping they are, Synths providing more of one specific pool, allowing them to, for example, tank and fight harder at the expense of being handicapped in all or most other areas, at levels differing depending on how well engineered they are, would give them distinct niches. Tangential thought: break down the bonuses already outlined further, for example giving Synths access to pool bonuses that biomorphs don't have, or to which they only have limited access?

ApSciLiara wrote:

atamajakki wrote:

I don't want setting changes, but I would like more variety in how setting fluff is presented. Seeing some sympathetic stances on the PC and Jovians would be lovely, as would seeing folks who point out the flaws in Autonomist and Scum living. As it stands now, the game sometimes stumbles into "flawless anarchists fight cartoonishly evil hierarchies," which cheapens the entire conflict; more nuance would be lovely.

Absolutely, completely, 100% this. Please.

Ehh..... kinda 25% this. I, for one, appreciate the respect for the reader's intelligence demonstrated by the subtlety of the little clues in EP 1[size=10]ed[/size]4[size=10]pr[/size] that something is rotten in the state of Denmark. For those who didn't get it, the sledgehammer-to-the-face unreliable narrators on p.28 (Welcome to Firewall) and p.29 (What You Really Need to Know) would have hopefully driven the point home. The PC and Autonomists as portrayed are just fine. The only remaining justification for bias might be the lack of pro-Jovian lore; an obviously pro-Jovian blue page might round things out on their end. Perhaps an example of cautious, crazy-prepared Jovians weathering a TITAN attack particularly well or something of the like. So long as you don't fall into "everybody sucks exactly the same" grimderp. Either way, do NOT lose the in-universe voices. They're an extremely efficient way to present exposition, immersive factoids, in-universe mindsets, and the niggling doubts that make great adventure/escapade scenes. And they're a fun and immersive read, even--perhaps especially--when their opinions clash with the reader's own.

eaton wrote:

[list] [*]Goodbye 'Networking' skill, just roll against your rep. We've had this as a house rule for almost a year and everyone likes it [*]A single 'Guns' skill. Thank Jesus. [*]Make "second shots" and focused fire for SA and Burst weapons use a quick action for the second shot.[/list]

1) As much as I appreciate the difference between skill at manoeuvering within a given social circle (Networking skill) and their current opinions on someone at a given time (Rep rating), unifying the rep thingees really does simplify things. 2) Do indeed thank Jesus, but he'll remind you that they're Firearms, not Guns. Unless you walk around with a 105mm slung over your shoulder everywhere you go. 3) I always knew Second Shots and their ilk rubbed me very slightly the wrong way, but I didn't get it until I saw this. Perfectly said.

Urthdigger wrote:

I'd like to see some changes to combat to make things a bit more balanced. As it stands, loading up on things like speed, ambidexterity, and drones to increase your attacks per round is by far the most effective tactic to taking down anything.

I, for one, hope to see the tradition of ruthless, uncompromising, tense combat maintained through its intrinsic inequality.

It's fluffy to break out pilot by type, but... As a GM, it means that nobody but the designated "pilot" has any useful amount of pilot skill (especially in a setting like EP, where from session to session the "default" Pilot skill can vary, from Venus's aircraft to the cars on Mars ). This is a problem if you have a "pilot" scene staged, and the "pilot" is unexpectedly hors de combat. Unlike with combat, where when the gun bunny is down, the team's firepower is degraded, because everyone should have some skill with a pistol or what have you, when the pilot is down, there's no backup, because it's expensive to cover all the bases. I'd like to see the ability to spend a couple of points in skill points Pilot and have it be worthwhile.