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A similar idea that I've had was to group origins by form and power. Some origins are clearly based on a character's powers ( such as Electrokinetic or Gravity Controller), while others are based on the character's physical form (Felinoid or Yeti, for example). Some fulfill both concepts.

(Rat Swarm, for example, could be a character who is comprised of a swarm OR it could be a character with a swarm of rats following him around, a la Willard. Plant could likewise be an actual evolved plant, or a humanoid with freakish plant-controlling powers, a la Poison Ivy from Batman.)

Ergo, I would like to compile two lists, and have the players roll a primary (power) origin, and a secondary (form) origin. Engineered Human would actually end up on the secondary (form) list. Origins that fit both lists will be listed at the same number spot and ...

I'm not sure exactly what happens if you roll the same number twice. Forcing the Engineered Human secondary would not only make them more common, it would make Engineered Humans with those specific powers more common than Engineered Humans with non-dual-type origins. Ideas would be appreciated.

The benefits of this solution:
- Makes Engineered Human a more common origin (which may not be a benefit, YMMV).
- Reduces both hard-to-grasp dual-form characters (such as hawkoid/yeti or cockroach/felinoid) AND cosmetically boring dual-power characters (such as radioactive/pyrokinetic or mind breaker/mind coercer).
- Makes dual-type origins less ambiguous. A plant/felinoid is a cat person who has plant-control powers, while a telekinetic/plant is a sentient plant with that has mastered the Jedi force push.

The problems with this solution:
- Makes Engineered Human a more common origin (which may not be an issue, YMMV).
- Makes the Origin type of all secondary (form) origins meaningless(which isn't an issue so much as a disappointment to the original authors).
- I still don't know exactly how to handle double rolls on dual-type origins.

Dec 25, 2010 -- 9:58AM, PeelSeelTwo wrote:

Taking into consideration their primary and secondary origins, I have the players classify their characters as either human, humanoid, mutated animal, mutated plant, or tech Enigineered.  It helps in determining the reactions of various NPC's.

This is a very solid idea. It certainly allows you to visualize characters a bit more easily, as well! Due to the way the system works, it seems as though normal humans are quite the odd creature in this Gamma World.

Dec 25, 2010 -- 4:05PM, Oraibi wrote:

Dec 25, 2010 -- 1:59PM, Serow_Darkstar wrote:

Dec 25, 2010 -- 9:58AM, PeelSeelTwo wrote:

Taking into consideration their primary and secondary origins, I have the players classify their characters as either human, humanoid, mutated animal, mutated plant, or tech Enigineered. 

This is a very solid idea.

It's so good that they put it on page 35 of the core rulebook.

Good Catch.