Some time ago, I started making a Lord of the Rings roleplaying game. I am still working on it, but I have a doubt.
So far I have six characteristics, or stats, working in a way similar to that of abilities in Dungeons & Dragons and the stats in many other RPGs. They are: Strength, Agility, Endurance, Intelligence, Willpower and Charisma.
I am just worried about if it's too boring or "mainstream" because they're so similar to the abilities in Dungeons & Dragons!

What do you think? Is it fine? Is one of these unnecessary? Did I forget something?

I think they are ubiquitous because they work! But if you need to remove one, I would then leave out Willpower and divide its benefits between Charisma and intellect.

I believe that Willpower should be kind of affected by Intelligence. Also, I don't know how much depth you are going to use, because Charisma could be also deleted too. If you want to add depth though, stay with the all you mentioned except Willpower- make it a stat only, affected a lot from Intelligence.

Thank you both for replying.

@Constantine: I don't need to remove one, I was just wondering if it would be more exciting if it wasn't so close to D&D.

@Finrod: I beg your pardon, what do you mean by making it 'only a stat'?

Here's an idea to make it unique, and also use the 'just a stat' idea mentioned above (and sort of inspired by it). 4 main 'Abilities': Agility, Strength, Intelligence, and Charisma. Then 6 other hybrid scores that combine the bonus for two of the above Abilities, for instance:

Agi Bonus + Str Bonus = Endurance
Str Bonus + Int Bonus = Willpower
Int Bonus + Cha Bonus = Wit
Agi Bonus + Cha Bonus = Luck
Str Bonus + Cha Bonus = Presence
Agi Bonus + Int Bonus = Resourcefulness
(These are just examples I came up with in my last 15 minutes at work)

Each of the main abilities have their obvious uses to be rolled for, these others give an option situational roll where applicable. For example: Lifting a grate takes a Strength roll of X - which you may not have a realistic chance of rolling on your elf, but because of your high intellect and agility, you get to try a Resourcefulness roll, and realize you can pry the grate much easier than you can lift it. This eliminates the builds where classes only have one utility in the game, because now balancing your stats has another level of utility, in determining these other scores.

Just a suggestion I'm just thinking out loud here...

T

EDIT: In addition, when deciding to roll one of these situational rolls instead, the character forgoes the original roll. This allows characters to decide whether they are going to try their 'Luck' (Agi and Cha) instead of making that Int roll where it's applicable, or possibly using their 'Wits' (Int and Cha) to try to persuade their way past the guard instead of fighting.

Wow... that's a very, very interesting idea! I might do something along the lines of that. Thank you for the input!

Well, I would just propose you make it a stat, not similar to Strength etc. like for example climbing/jumping/speaking, influenced from Intelligence, the way D&D is somehow.
But I believe that Troszkowsky's idea is also really good.

Ah, I understand now

Hm, I'll really have to think about this...thank you all for your thoughts.

Not a problem! RPGs is what I do... If you have any more need for feedback, rules, or testing, send me a PM!

T

Thank you! Have you made your own RPGs or do you play a lot?