Etucs, also known as
the Enhanced Time Unit Combat System, was created by the Tysnes Roleplaying
Syndicate (TRS) to improve the combat system of AD&D. I believe it
is an excellent system, although it has a minor flaw in it's handling of
multiple attacks. With the MAATU system of ETUCS, specialization does not
pay off as much as it did in the original AD&D combat system. Recently
the MAATU numbers on the chart have been lowered, which helps, but even
with the new chart people with extra attacks don't actually get as many
extra attacks (compared to someone with one attack/round) as they did in
the original system.
However, the difference is
smaller than it was. To make additional proficiencies pay off more, I give
an additional attack per 2 rounds for every level of specialization. Regular
specialization is 3 attacks/2 rounds, mastery is 2/1, high mastery is 5/2,
and grand mastery is 3/1. Specialization in my campaigns is also easier
to come by for nonfighters... using Skills & Powers rules anyone can
become a specialist if they spend enough character points. Even if you
don't use Skills & Powers I might allow you to specialize if you play
in a campaign of mine. This doesn't make major changes to the AD&D
system... it merely adds extra bonuses to two of the four levels of specialization
(two of the levels already had the bonus.)
I make two more minor changes
to the ETUCS system. Firstly, the Spell Expense takes place after
the spell goes off. It represents recovery from casting the spell, not
extra preperation. Secondly, and this is minor indeed, the Scimitar of
Speed and Shortsword of Quickness do not have to roll initiative or count
weapon speed on their first attack of any given battle... their first attack
essentially occurs on weapon speed zero.
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