Alignment and Classes In Metamorphosis Alpha

 Though there are “races” in Metamorphosis Alpha there are no alignments or classes.

Alignments:

It’s important to remember alignments in original D&D was inherited from Chainmail which focussed on army building and whom would align with whom. The motifs common in OD&D were Greyhawks law vs chaos and Blackmoor’s bigger emphasis on good vs evil. Ultimately a more complex system would develop in D&D than the original Law, Neutral, Chaos system from Chainmail. However Metamorphosis Alpha abandoned the concept of alignments and Gamma World also lacked alignments when it was first published. I personally don’t see a reason to add alignments in to this game, but if I did it would be strictly along Chainmail’s original purpose for figuring out how armies or groups might form political alliances. 

Classes:

No classes were in Metamorphosis Alpha or the later original Gamma World. I am aware eventually classes were added to Gamma World to bring it more inline with a later edition of D&D but this is not necessarily in keeping with the game’s original premise. The classless approach in Metamorphosis Alpha and later Gamma World rested on the premise that the character was surviving and gathering knowledge about the mysterious advanced ancient civilization of their ancestors. In essence all characters were coming from a more primitive culture with basic knowledge in fighting while engaged in treasure hunting, exploring and survival in a dangerous setting. Characters did not progress or grow stronger in Metamorphosis Alpha from gaining experience points to level up but by gaining equipment, new mutations, and knowledge. “Skills” were learned as part of the role playing and game mechanics. The original Gamma World added experience points but again how those were used is different than D&Ds original system. In original Gamma World every time a player character achieved a threshold of experience points listed on the chart a 10 sided dice was rolled and the indicated bonus granted with the exception that once attributes reached 18 they could not be increased. There is a list of what items, actions, and killing monsters is worth in experience points as well. Monsters experience points are equal to their hit points. 

If I added experience points to Metamorphosis Alpha I would use the original Gamma World system. It’s important to understand weapon class, gear, gaining followers and gaining knowledge was the best way to improve player characters in these games.

Races:

Metamorphosis Alpha originally offered 3 choices for character races Pure Strain Humans, Mutant Humanoids, and Mutated Animals. Each choice has advantages ad disadvantages. 

Pure Strain Humans

Humanoids 

Mutant Animals

Next post we will take a look at these PC options. 

Ship Masters, Planet Masters and Mutant Masters keep on creating awesome games!