Re: Classes, race, experiece.

[Mark Wedel <master@rahul.net>]

 One thought on starting equipment for any class/race is to just give
them a fair amount of money, and then let them buy what ever equipment
they want.

 How things are right now is greatly unequal in terms of value of starting
equipment.  Some classes get 3 or 4 spellbooks, while others get leather
armour, a weapon, and a shield.

 By giving them some amount of gold (same for all classes), they can then
choose what to get.  Those that want to be a fighter will obviously go
for the better armour and weapons (probably being able to even afford
magical stuff).  That mage could perhaps buy 2 spellbooks, and nothing more.
This is sort of like AD&D, where under normal rules, starting characters
get so much money.

 The reason I really don't like different skill areas is that players
will quickly figure out (or look at the code) what to do in order to
get EXP in that area.  I remember there was an old game for the Apple ][
which had such a system.  It didn't take me that long to figure out, and I
had my cleric casting spells on the other people, always had the theif
look for traps, and so on.  I don't know if this would be good or bad
for crossfire.  I think what would happen is it would start to get abused.
Things like a medium level fighter wants to raise is magic using ability,
so he wonders into some fairly easy area, and starts casting burning
hands or whatever on everyone.  Gets that experience, even though he could
do a better job by killing them in hand to hand.

 --Mark