Racial Design Question

[Erik L (OP)]

I'm working on redesigning the racial creation portion of Astra Imperia, specifically the advantages/disadvantages. Currently races are allowed to choose 1 breathable atmosphere for free, pick a second breathable atmosphere for 2 or 4 points, and a third for 6 or 8 points. The question is, should a race be allowed to have more than one breathable atmosphere?

[xeryon]

Well, the concept of air and water breathers is viable even here.  So why not elsewhere in the universe?

[Erik L (OP)]

Current allowable atmospheres are Oxy, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Methane, Sulfur Dioxide, Vaprous Dihydrous Monoxide, and None.

Oxy, hydrogen, nitrogen are classed as tainted, and cost 0/2/6.
Methane, Sulfur Dioxide, and VDM are classed as hostile and cost 0/4/8.
None (vacuum) is a special case and costs 8/2. 8 for normal races, 2 for lithovores (think Silicoids from MOO). Machine races get none for free.

Races should be built on 10-14 pts. So three hostile gasses  run you 12 points, and three tainted run you 8. Being a machine race costs 8 points, as does being a lithovore.

I suppose if you want to blow a majority of your points for breathable atmospheres, you could. It just doesn't seem very point effective to me.

[xeryon]

I guess it would depend on how the distribution of atmospheres is generated throughout your systems.  If the tendency is higher for a couple of types to appear it would be prudent to choose more than one type if your goal is rapid expansion.

[Erik L (OP)]

This is the percentage spread for atmospheres.

01-15   Carbon Dioxide
16-30   Hydrogen
31-60   Oxygen
61-75   Nitrogen
76-85   Methane
86-95   Sulfur Dioxide
96-00   Vaporous Dihydrous Monoxide

Vacuum is only present when gravity is low enough to not maintain an atmosphere.

[xeryon]

Is there a particular reason why Carbon Dioxide is not a breathable type?

Judging from those percentages I would say that except for RP/Difficulty reasons there would never be a reason to choose anything other than Oxygen if you have a choice.

Isn't the proper grammar: Dihydrogen monoxide?  And by logic I would think a planet such as that would be uninhabitable as it would need to be mightily hot to support heavy enough concentrations in the atmosphere.  It is a neat concept for an atmospheric type though.

[Erik L (OP)]

Is there a particular reason why Carbon Dioxide is not a breathable type?

Hmm oversight on my part.

Judging from those percentages I would say that except for RP/Difficulty reasons there would never be a reason to choose anything other than Oxygen if you have a choice.

Isn't the proper grammar: Dihydrogen monoxide?  And by logic I would think a planet such as that would be uninhabitable as it would need to be mightily hot to support heavy enough concentrations in the atmosphere.  It is a neat concept for an atmospheric type though.

I've seen it both ways. Though I picked the one less used. That's also why it's classed as a hostile atmo. Though if we can imagine living rocks and space elves, it should be allowable for a atmospheric type.