LotFP: Decyphered (WIP)

This is an attempt to hack the OSR game Lamentations of the Flame Princess to utilize certain core mechanics from the Cypher System. Note that I have no LotFP/OSR experience (although I'm supposed to play my first LotFP game tonight!), but I love the Cypher system, and have been very interested in OSR for a while now and have read many OSR books and blogs and listened/watched many podcasts and actual plays. That being said, this is very much a WIP, given not only my lack of experience, and by extension that this has not been playtested, and also I whipped up this first version rather quickly. That being said, for as rough as it may be, I thought it might be more efficient to just put what I have out there and let people much better and more experienced than me at game design let me know what they think! As for why I'm doing this, I discuss in this post on r/rpgdesign why I love the Cypher System and how I think these mechanics can benefit other systems. Depending on how successful this is, how much effort it takes (pun intended), and how much I can playtest this or others are willing to playtest or contribute to this, I would like to do something similar for other systems such as FATE and some PbtA games. Without further ado:

Character Creation and Progression

Rather than the traditional D&D stats, there is Might, Speed, and Intellect. Roll 2d3 three times and either assign the sum of each paired roll to the three stat pools down the line, or assign by preference (GM discretion). An easy way to roll d3 is to roll a d6, where a 1 or 2 = 1, 3 or 4 = 2, and 5 or 6 = 3. For races/classes with starting HP > 4, assign 1 additional Pool point to either Might or Speed for every 2 starting HP > 4.

At character level 1, start with an Effort Level of 1, and increase Effort Level by 1 at every third level (4, 7, 10, etc.). Possibly cap Effort at character level 10 (max Effort = 4).

At character level 1, start with 1 point of Edge which can be applied to any stat, and add a new Edge point to any stat at every third level (4, 7, 10, etc.). Possibly cap Edge at character level 10 (max Edge across all stats = 4).

Do not roll for HP. Instead, at each level, roll 1d4+2 and add that many points split across the three stat pools in any way. Races/classes with HD > 1d6 receive 1 additional Pool point to either Might or Speed for each unit increase in HD die (e.g. +1 for 1d8, +2 1d10, etc.).


DESIGN NOTES: The choice of 2d3 for stat Pools was meant to provide starting characters with roughly comparable total Pool points to starting LotFP character HP, and roughly comparable variance in starting attributes by way of modifiers after random rolling. This was entirely determined by eyeballing/intuition and not something mathematically derived nor that I'm committed to. The 1d4+2 Pool progression rate was also meant to be comparable to HP progression. The bonus points for characters with higher HD in Might and Strength is meant to serve a similar balance purpose, but I'm definitely worried about balance with this. The rate of progression and proposed caps on Edge and Effort was meant to keep the characters from getting too powerful (and making balancing easier ;) ); this is still meant to be OSR-esque and players shouldn't be able to 100% buy their way to victory.

Combat

Attacking

Melee: Before rolling to hit, spend any number of Might Pool points up to Effort level and add Might Edge, split up any way either to Attack Bonus (AB) or as a modifier to the Damage roll. At GM discretion, certain melee weapons could use Speed Pool and Edge instead of Might, such as a rapier.

Ranged: Before rolling to hit, spend any number of Speed Pool points up to Effort level and add Speed Edge, split up in any way either to Attack Bonus (AB) or as a modifier to the Damage roll. At GM discretion, certain ranged weapons could use Might Pool and Edge instead Speed, such as a Gatling gun.

Defending

Before rolling to defend, spend any number of Speed Pool points up to Effort level and add Speed Edge to AC. On a failed defense, subtract Damage from Might Pool. If Might Pool is depleted, subtract remaining/subsequent Damage to Speed Pool, followed by Intellect Pool.

Initiative

Either roll for players vs. enemies, or for individual character initiative, prior to rolling for initiative, spend any number of Speed Pool points up to Effort level and add Speed Edge to initiative roll.

Spellcasting

For Damage-dealing spells, before rolling Damage, spend any number of Intellect Pool points up to Effort level and add Intellect Edge as a modifier to the Damage roll. Do likewise before rolling for success if the spell has a misfire or negative outcome possibility for a low roll, or before any other spell roll with a graded response (see below for magic saving throws).

Before rolling a saving throw for Magic or Magical Device, spend any number of Intellect Pool points up to Effort level and subtract Intellect Edge to decrease the saving throw.

In addition to prepared spells, spellcasters can cast a number of additional spells per day up to Effort level. The spell costs as many Intellect Pool points as the spell level minus Intellect Edge (minimum 0).

DESIGN NOTES: My understanding is that most spells in LotFP are not damage-dealing, but I wanted to hedge my bets. I wanted to avoid touching saving throws altogether, but it seemed unavoidable here, so then i figured I may as well do the rest of them.

Saving Throws

For Magic and Magical Device, see Spellcasting. For the other saving throws, at GM discretion, spend any number of relevant stat Pool points up to Effort level and subtract relevant stat Edge to decrease the saving throw.

Stat Pool Depletion

If a stat Pool reaches 0, Edge cannot be applied to actions which use that stat. Additionally, natural 20’s do not count as critical successes (although natural 1’s may still count as critical failures), and Pool points for actions using the other stats can only be applied up to half Effort level rounding down. If two stat pools reach 0, in addition to the above, Edge for actions using the remaining stat cannot be used, and Effort level is treated as 0. If all stat Pools reach 0, the character is either rendered unconscious, or dead (GM discretion).

ADDITIONAL DESIGN NOTES

1. Ideally I would like to apply this mechanic to skills as well, but can't think of a straightforward way to do so that doesn't require completely reworking skills. If it could be done in a way that used a relatively straightforward conversion rule, that would be ideal. In any case, especially for the Specialist this seems important to figure out. 
2. I have not considered what to do about retainers yet, but would probably fold charisma-esque stuff into intellect. 
3. I have not considered what to do about encumbrance yet, but would probably fold strength-esque stuff into might. 
4. There are plenty of other more specific rules for LotFP I have not thought about yet. 
5. I know that LotFP differentiates between various kinds of AC, but I don't know if this still makes sense given the level of abstraction of this three-stat system. That being said, I'd like to figure something out.