So I stumbled upon the idea for achievements in a DnD game and I thought the idea sounded like a lot of fun. I’m working coming up with a list of achievements (I’ve written a couple and found a couple ideas in various forums) and a successful way of implementing them in my game at the moment, and you can see that work at http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/melekar/wikis/house-rules If anyone has any ideas of suggestions for implementing them, or for achievement that would be fun, I’d love some ideas, and if anyone likes this idea and would like to use these in their game, that’d be awesome too. I look forward to hearing some of your ideas.

Edit: Here’s where I saw some ideas http://www.loremaster.org/general-topics/1664-achievements-d-d.html and this campaign was the first place I saw the idea (much different implementation, but similar concept).

I’ve updated the list of achievements, there are now twice as many, but I’d like plenty more, if you guys can think of any good ones, I’d love to hear your ideas.

Yeah I am utilizing essentially the same adventure point system as Sandman, though I have called them prestige points in my campaign. I wanted to encourage my players to become more actively involved in helping to build our campaign site (e.g. adding character bios and keeping character journals, that sort of thing), so I borrowed the idea of a point based award system from Onsilius. Basically, you accumulate points and then can either “use” them each session (the points are not permanently spent but refresh the next session) to gain some small in-game advantage, or “burn” them (those points are gone baby) to do something even more heroic. At first my players didn’t seem to care much about the system. However two sessions ago when in the midst of a gritty battle, they discovered just how useful they can be and have been stepping up their contributions to the site in order to gain access to more points.

Cheers,
-Arsheesh

Okay, I have totally updated the achievement system. There are milestones which can be gained multiple times, achievements that can only be gained once, and prestige points that are granted based on OOC contributions. http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/melekar/wikis/house-rules I think this is going to be how I do the system, but I’m still eager for suggestions.

Perhaps a tangible reward would be the incentive the other players need to become more involved in the wiki? That’s a good idea about divine inspiration, I might add that to my prestige point benefits that I got from Arsheesh.

Arsheesh: the points I use don’t refresh each session. I’ve seen your prestige points (or Karma points, or Fate points) but I wanted to do something a little bit different, that’s why I chose to go with the 100 options list. In my campaign, the players earn points, spend them for a roll on the list, and get the benefit, which they can use whenever they want as a free action (the benefits don’t expire, so they can save them for as long as they want, and they can even stack or combine them).

Garaan: the section looks much more organized now. I like that you added secret stuff too. BTW: thanks for the acknowledgment xD

Jim, i like your use of karma for OOC stuff, simple and effective. shadowrun looks pretty well set up for that.

Sandman, yeah I think that’s my final version until I actually use it and test it out. And yeah, the secret stuff is all the story and plot based achievements. If someone misses a session where the players got it, too bad for them, they miss out. You’re welcome for the acknowledgment, I did pull a few names for the achievements off your list after all :).

Yup gaaran, Shadowrun is quite easy to reward players with. I mean, we used to do similar stuff with D&D, 100xp for bringing the GM a burger and fries, etc.

I.. think… that’s why I’m fat.

Yeah thanks Gaaran for the shout out. You’re site just keeps getting better and better each time I visit it.

Cheers,
-Arsheesh

And here’s my take on Sandman’s rolled benefit idea, though mine are permanent increases and powerful. As such they’re expensive. Our longest running character is 3 years and only has 8 Karma Pool.

Exceptional Abilities

Lemme know whatchoo think. That includes opinions on the Ability names. Some of them suck.

Actually, their inequality was a conscious decision on my part, since they’re all pretty darned powerful, I wanted a “sub-prime” roll pair on each table, which is usually 3 and 4 on the die.

These are some fantastic ideas! I really like the acheivement system, but I don’t know that I have the record keeping ability to keep track of all of those things. I really like the ideas on the temporary bonuses. Sandman, I especially love your point system. Though I’m not entirely sure how the plethora of points are spent on your list. But the ontime bonus is a brilliant idea…what with everyone always being up to an hour late…

I have implemented my own system. I may end up reworking it as there is not a plethora of combat in my campaign…
House Rules

Munkybut: Here’s a rough translation of what’s in spanish in my adv.points page:

You can get Adventure Points for helping with the game and the campaign.

When you accumulate 10 points, you can exchange them for a roll in the d100 list. The points you earn don’t expire, but just as action points, they are meant to be spent.

The benefits you get can be used instantly, or you can save them indefinitely. Unless stated otherwise, benefits can be used as a free action (in and out of an encounter).

Ways to get Adventure Points

Unique:

• Write your character’s background in Obsidian Portal – 10 pts.
• Read the PHB (you don’t have to read each power, but at least chapters 8 and 9 thoroughly) – 5 pts.

Ongoing:

• Arrive on time to a D&D session, prepared with you character sheet, pen, paper, books, dice, etc. (time flexibility of ± 15 minutes) – 1 pt./session.
• Take detailed notes about the development of the history – 2 pts./session.
• Bring snacks (drinks/food) – 2 pts./session.
• Bringing props for your character (clothing items, weapons, trinkets, etc.) – 1 pt./session
• Spend u$s 5 on RPG-related products (DDI/Character Builder, books, dice, costumes or props, power cards, etc.) – 1 pt./u$s 5 (for this one I made a conversion fo US dollars, since in Argentina we use “pesos” as currency and RPG materials have different prices).

Additionally, each players can also give out up to 2 points per session to other players. These can be given out for good role-playing, problem solving, tactics, creativity, and for humor and fun.

I’ve been working on my campaign for the past few months and I actually made a large list of achievements a while back. I have all the files saved in my D&D folder. Achievements really do sound like a fun idea. I plan on implementing them into gameplay to give benefits to the characters.

I have too many great ideas that seem like short lived novelty, actually. I don’t have enough experience in what works/what doesn’t to make the educated guesses required, though.

I'm glad to see all this discussion. I'm thinking of having a brownie-points system in my campaign, though I'll probably be limiting the rewards to dice re-rolls and roll bonuses, and maybe extra actions.

Perhaps similarly relevant, the In Vitro campaign is going to be amazingly limited with regard to playable races and classes, but I'm already considering situations under which others could "unlock". For example, I'm nixing Goliaths at the beginning because they're currently shunned by the noble races. If the PCs bring about an alliance, then if a player was really wanting all along to play a Goliath, we'd work that in at the next natural stopping point (not necessarily requiring the old character's death - I'm not going to cheat myself out of a possibly useful NPC! ;) Similarly, if the party successfully conquers the dangers and secrets of Mount Vahlheim, they'll eventually be able to play warforged.

I mention the above 'cause that's another flavor of achievement, IMO.

I like Arsheesh’s Prestige points – I’ll have to bring it up with my group to see if they might find some use for it. The issue being that White Wolf’s system already has that kind of system already built in with Willpower and all that, combined with the virtues. But I also want to encourage my players to contribute!

Gaaran

I like your idea of Milestones and Achievements. You have drawn up quite a comprehensive list and my only concern is that it is quite complicated and will create lots of extra work for you as DM. I have a Prestige Point award system similar to some of those mentioned above but it is a lot simpler than yours.

In any case, it provides exciting differences to any game and that can only make it more exciting in anyone’s book. I would watch out for being able to add too much to character requisites though – you might find that if some players work the system, your characters get too powerful too quickly.

Thanks for the discussion and I love the layout on Melekar Chronicles!

Mark aka twiggyleaf

Huzzah! It works! I’m quite pleased as punch that it’ll all work out the way we set it up. Now I sit, watching the RSS feed voraciously, waiting to pounce when the opportunity arises :)

Following on from this – I’ve been inspired to add Achievements to my game – though really they’re just a list of milestones I expect a newly created caster or psion to achieve. Penalties of not being able to use the normal associated rules for not having them – except the second which just precludes location specfic feats from being taken (if you don’t know what your region of origin is then it’s not going to be one that has them when there are several that don’t).

List here

I have Achievements for my games that cross campaigns and so on like that. I've allowed 1000 points in the main bulk and then I add on additional 250 point packs that are campaign specific (Planescape, Ravenloft, etc). When the group as a whole hits 500 points I give them the option of receiving a new pack of achievements from a list that are themed (Fail pack, Slayer Pack, and so on) so that the achievements never become stagnant.

I allow my PC's to use their points in a type of shop that would allow them to do things not normally allowed, or other beneficial things, for example: - An additional 3.5 Trait (from Unearthed Arcana): 50 G or - Max Life at odd levels (3/5/7 etc): 200 G

Another friend of mine who developed a set for his own began adding metagaming achievements for things like attending 3 sessions in a row, and that sort of thing. Personally I prefer in game things like Right to Bear Arms: 15 G (Without weapons or armor, wrestle and knock a bear unconscious). Really it opens the game up a lot but you have to make the rule that you won't allow players to do something that their character normally wouldn't do (such as cutting themselves into negative hp so they can get the stabilizing achievement). This minor rule to the system is rather important and forces players to be quite ingenious when devising strategies.

One common flaw I've noticed in people making achievement systems for their games is that there is too much subjectivity or improper word usage in the description of the achievement and as a result the DM just decides "oh you didn't get it" which is contrary to the objective nature of Xbox 360 achievements. For example take this achievement |"Well that was a waste" 10 GS Fall in battle| The intent may have been for this achievement to be awarded to those who had their character die in combat, but technically being tripped should also unlock the achievement.

As of January 1st 2011 my gamerscore was legitimately at 150,000 for 360 and I can attest to the frustration of poorly worded achievement descriptions. However it would only become infinitely worse if actually unlocking achievements was a subjective process.

Overall I find that Achievements can be very beneficial to Pen and Paper games when done right. It's good to consult experts in the field when making achievements though because it is easy to get the system wrong.

Thank you very much for asking my advice LonePaladin, I am glad to help.

Overall your list looks well done and is clearly well thought out. I enjoy the visible appeal to them, where did you find such an achievement generator? Also the balance seems appropriate in terms of easily obtainable to those that require a bit of work. Congratulations on a flavorful and efficient list.

With regards to a few specific achievements:

Wrecking Ball: You may wish to specify that this is either over a lifetime or all in one go (which would no doubt be an incredible achievement indeed).
Flyswatter: I believe the descriptor "unfriendly" would do well to go in front of aircraft. From personal experience I have accidentally left that out before and had unfortunate (but hilarious) events ensue.
Loaded Dice: You may wish to clarify that this is in a single roll rather than over the course of a session.
Pwn3d: You also may wish to add "over the course of your entire career" to this description.
Ace: I like this one, but you might want to consider specifying an enemy type so your characters don't just go out and kill small animals to boost it.
Velcro Pineapple: This is great, but I'm curious to know whether or not this is intended to be during a combat session or not.
You can pick your friends...: I always love achievements like this, but I've found adding "that further the goals of the group" cuts down significantly on people trying to boost it.
This Stuff...: You may wish to add the "full" descriptor to "clips" in order to reduce boosting.
They See Me Rollin': Beautiful, simply beautiful.

Aside from that I would like to know if you as the GM are keeping track of your players' progress for achievements such as "Wrecking Ball" or if your players are. I've seen sessions where things get recorded or added incorrectly (accidentally of course I don't entertain liars) due to smudging or something similar.

Thanks again, I look forward to your reply.