I've always wanted to do a bidding system for an RPG, but couldn't figure one out.  I've had this idea that could work.

1. every player gets (lets say) 6 cards that say general on them
2. players get additional cards based on class (examples listed below)
2a. attack
2b. defend
2c. move
2d. initiative
3e. damage
3.  When the turn starts the character bids by placing standard or initiative cards; players and monsters go in order of who played the most cards.  Ties go to a roll off.
4.  characters move by placing either standard or move cards (lets say move 10' for each card played)
5.  Characters roll a number of attack dice equal to attack or standard cards played +1 (like my elegent10 system in age past; check sig)
6.  characters roll a number of defense dice equal to defend and or standard cards played +1
7.  there can be a special card pile that player can trade cards in to draw from (like chance in monopoly) maybe players could trade cards for a one shot use of these.
8. card pools regen at the end of the round

Attack and defense could also be used in social or mental tasks, need to figure a mechanic...  some cards could be dual use (maybe picked up as an ability).  So a character's card pile is like their statistical capabilities.  Maybe a social card is needed to use the other cards in social interactions.

The system is balanced by certain classes own different types of cards.
Fighters: attack and defense
Rogue:  damage & move
Mage:  damage
Ranger:  attack & move

- Still need to work mental and social aspects out.
- Other rules can be added like attack cards must be used to initiate an attack, or maybe not allowing a character to make a flurry of attacks a round.
- Trample damage could work well for this system.

This sounds very similar to Marvel's "Marvel Universe RPG" which uses resource allocation. Though you're using cards instead of "stones". I'd suggest you look at that system for some good ideas and there's no rule stating that you can't change the stone mechanic into cards and dice.

yeah,  i've never played marvel RPG, but did play the other super hero one i think palladium quite a bit a long time ago.

The pools could be dice but i figured the visual written card factor would make it easier to budget your resources.

thanks for the heads up on marvel.

This is not to be confused with the Marvel Superheroes RPG (MSHRPG) by TSR. The one I'm talking about was actually put out by Marvel.

Let's make it easier: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Universe_Roleplaying_Game

Excalibur wrote:
This is not to be confused with the Marvel Superheroes RPG (MSHRPG) by TSR. The one I'm talking about was actually put out by Marvel.

Let's make it easier: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Universe_Roleplaying_Game

It's gone out of print, though I'm sure you could probably find a used copy somewhere. I'd try comic stores in your area.