Exalted 3.0 Beta character (willpower plus 1)

Johnny Solar, Dawn Caste Ascendant

Caste Abilities: Melee, Martial Arts, Resistance, War, Archery

Favored Abilities:  Awareness, Athletics, Ride, Survival, Integrity

Primary:                      Secondary:                  Tertiary:

Strength 4                    Wits  3                         Charisma 3

Stamina 3                    Intelligence 3              Manipulation 1

Dexterity 5                  Perception 3                Appearance 3

Melee: 5 (specialty daiklave)

Martial Arts: 4

Resistance: 5

War: 2  (specialty against mortals)

Archery: 3 (specialty firewands)

Awareness: 3

Athletics: 4

Ride: 2

Survival: 2

Integrity: 2

Investigation: 1

Linguistics: 1

Stealth: 1

Presence: 1

Merits: Cult 1, Ally 3, Artifact 3, Artifact 3

Essence 1: Personal essence – 13, Peripheral essence - 2

Willpower 4 temp

Resolve: 3

Guile: 1

Parry Defense: 7

Join Battle: 6

Medium Artifact Armor: 7 Hardness, 11 Soak, -2 Mobility Penalty

INITIATIVE: 7-3=4+3=7-10= -3-3 = -6 +20=  28

Weapon: Flashing Ascendance

Accuracy with 3 dot daiklave: 14,

Damage: 16

Overwhelming: 4

Health: -0,-1,-1,-2,-2,-4, Incap

Charms: Phantom Arrow(62), Fiery Arrow(63), Graceful Crane, Monkey Leap, Foe Vaulting (pg 69), Increasing Strength (72), Thunderbolt Attack, Durability of Oak (112), Sensory Acute Prana (pg 75), Excellent Strike (102), Hungry Tiger, Fire and Stones, Call the Blade

Exalted Play Test Notes (3^rd edition Beta)

            I noticed, during our first test of the 3^rd edition system, that many things remained the same, where one would expect them to change. Naturally, the promises regarding the overhaul of the combat system were mostly true, but I anticipated more of a shift with the charms than I noticed. To follow is a comprehensive review of the new combat system, and a blow for blow retelling of the test fight I ran with my roommate.

            To begin, I must express my satisfaction with the cinematic feel captured by the new edition. The stunt system, here revised and improved, coupled with the new 'withering vs decisive attacks' system accomplishes the creators' goal of creating a unique, movie-like fighting system. To explain, we will look at a snippet of what one player will experience while their character engages in a duel with another:

            Johnik, a newly risen and aimless Dawn Caste Solar Exalt, walks into a bar, where another Dawn Exalt is already drinking. The two exchange greeting, but know not that either are god-children. Their conversation becomes aggravated after a mistimed joke about Johnik's mother, and followed by another regarding the size and usefulness of his manhood. Johnik, quick to anger, lashes out physically. He shoves the other exalt back and draws his medium artifact daiklave. The other Solar does the same, and their shirts hang loose showing medium artifact armor. They square off... and Join Battle is rolled. Johnik happily obtains a 7, while the other Solar sits at 6. Johnik is first. Still unsure that this other man is like him, he decides to quickly start and end this duel. He uses monkey leap to quickly get into position, and foe-vaulting technique to strike at a surprised (-2 defense) opponent. His opponent is caught off guard, but begins to glow as well and, while he is struck, it is for no damage, due to the use of a resistance charm called spirit strengthens the skin. Their rage grows, and the battle truly begins.

            To explain the system, I fear I must get quite technical. The other solar then attacks Johnik. He stunts this attack, spends a willpower point, and uses a few charms. Specifically, he describes a 2 point stunt, giving himself 2 extra dice and one free success, spends a willpower for a free success, and uses excellent strike, hungry tiger, and fire and stones strike. His dice pool is thus: 3 (dexterity) + 5 (melee) + 1 (daiklave excellency) + 2 (stunt) + 3 (medium artifact accuracy)