Or, for that matter, do you play test?
Personally, I don't get much of a chance to do so. My friends are not quite the kind of people who go through rules of their own accord - 2 have ADD, and the third is just plain busy. Normally procedure is for me to read the rules, then teach it to everyone else. This is why I'm always fishing for comments on my games - aside from the inevitable ego trip.
However, of note I've been able to get my friends to create characters for D&B with minimal explanation from myself, and will be able to run a game in the near future. So far, I've found ten points that need addressing
- Include Wits on character sheet
- Points traded between attributes on 1:1 basis
- Reexplain animus and speed track
- Note human SDI and AP at end of creation chapter
- Clarify filling out & use of ST.
- Rewrite initiative
- Change horde factor description (currently,a HF 5 has 25 attacks!)
- Clarify how setting traps works (successes in building/design = difficulty to avoid)
- Find a way for a person with an attribute of one to attempt a difficulty 2 task (open ended rolling isn't an option)
- Denote that both Heavy Weapons and Pilot are needed to use a tank. (more precisely - one gunner, on driver)
I think I also included somewhere else that I missed the dice sizes for ammo rolls, and that shotguns could trade DR for more targets.
Anything else I should consider?
I'll stand alone
I guess I vary here. I've always played loosely defined stories, which makes playtesting relatively easy. I actually start with basic rules and character stats, some skills, and a few defined items. I'm working on my second draft version, the first wasn't much. The second version should be atleast playable. I'm currently on my umm...about 10 game. I played my first game with everything (I had so far) written on one piece of paper. It requires players who don't whine too much and a relatively small group. You'll have to decide somethings instantly, but you can always make changes later and atleast you know potential issues.
*edit*
been thinking...
re: 9. could you let the player make 2 successful rolls rather than 1?
re: 10. do you really need 2 people to operate a tank and couldn't you use the tank without both? If a horde is approaching (let's assume slow moving), sitting in one place isn't going to cause a problem. And you could drive a tank without firing any shots. Not that you are incorrect, just it may need a further explanation.