Weather-

[welsh]

I am reading Matheson's I am Legend and part of the story touches on dust storms that are a consequence of a war that effects insects and coats everything.

Which made me think about radiaoactive dust storms swirling about the wasteland. Considering that the war has left the world a desert, there is little in the way of wind, that dirt could easily be picked up by the high winds (like the winds that tend to fan the fires around LA).

It might add something interesting to the setting. Visibility during combat, more radiation effect on your character, different types of clothing and equipment as well as the possibility of ruining equipment (and thus your character doesn't walk through the game with a stockpile of weapons and assorted goodies).

 

[Carib FMJ]

Radioactive dust doesn't just disappear. Running into a rad storm would be one bitch.

Not to mention tainted water.

 

[Lazarus Plus]

In terms of enviromental effects I think more is better. It would certainly add to the ambiance, as well, which is always good for an RPG.

The day to night effect alone would be key. As opposed to a "it was dusk when I stepped in, now it's twilight when I stepped out" effect to an actual visible transition from one state to another.

 

[Jarno Mikkola]

Yeah, lets just hope that they don't do it like some one in Metal Heart: Replicants Rampage, that the time goes on during combat and even if you don't do a damn.
The environmental effects would be nice addition to combat, like smoke grenades, burning fires and a dust beast, the dust surrounds it into a fog.

 

[Murdoch]

Perhaps there could be two variables affecting visibilty and thus LOS and chance to hit.

One variability affects amount of light in the environment, day and night sort of thing. The value to hit modified as 1 during full on sunlight, then proceeds down the gradient as night sets in, to a value of 0.2 or something. Night Vision Goggles, flashlights, etc would modify this value by adding +0.1 etc to the value up to a max of say 1.2 for all modifiers. So that even in the pich black someone with night vision, IR sensors and the like has a value to hit of 0.2+ 0.3(night vision) + 0.2 IR for 0.7, or 70% chane to hit, modfiying everything else (based on weapon skills, etc).

Second would be environmental effects of dust, etc. This would have its own independent 0 to 1 scale (0% to 100%) for dust storm to clear day. It would be more difficult to make positive modifiers here.

Using these two variables would allow many tactical choices. A technologically primitive group would be able to level the playing field if attacking during a dust storm because the storm would mitigate the bonuses offered by the advanced groups sensors and technology. Alternatively it would provide advanced groups a tremendous advantage over primitives via night raids and such.

 

[z89x23]

Changes in the weather..

Can we have winter ?? or any other seasons ??

A nice nuclear winter or a no ozone summer ??

 

[Wooz]

perhaps learn how post ??

 

[The Vault Dweller]

Welsh this is genius!

Considering that the atmosphere of the Wasteland is so striking having weather adversely effect the character would be great. Could you imagine having to move at a rate of 2 action points per step due to thick snow? How about not being able to go prone, because your waist deep in water/toxic sludge?

The radiation storm idea just plain rules. I could imagine characters with high outdoorsman noticing one moving a certain path through the area and being able to move across from it (assuming they have fast transportation or the storm moves slow). Players trapped in one would need protective gear or time and supplies to "shake-off" the effects of dust inhalation and some radiation exposure.

AWESOME!

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

 

[Ashmo]

They should implement toothpaste. Having to brush your teeth regularily so they don't rot would be so awesome.

It would be educational too! If Fallout would have featured toothpaste, I'd still have all of my teeth!

 

[RPGenius]

How about not being able to go prone, because your waist deep in water/toxic sludge?

Dude, Prone didn't come in untill tactics, which I imagine would play wonderfully... If you'd never played Fallout. This is a Fo3 Thread, not a FOT2 Thread, also if you were waist deep in sludge, kneeling wouldn't work either, and you're fuckin' dumb for not avoiding it!

 

[Ashmo]

How about not being able to go prone, because your waist deep in water/toxic sludge?

Dude, Prone didn't come in untill tactics, which I imagine would play wonderfully... If you'd never played Fallout. This is a Fo3 Thread, not a FOT2 Thread, also if you were waist deep in sludge, kneeling wouldn't work either, and you're fuckin' dumb for not avoiding it!

Most humans have an sense that helps them recognize sarcastic posts.

You don't.