I find myself having to design number of life modules and archetypes, but I have limited experience with AToW, so I would like to ask for tips and experiences.
Please share. :)
First off, are you asking about converting a life module/archetype that hasn't already been converted from a prior edition to AToW, or creating something from scratch. Creating from scratch is going to be much harder, but also gives you a lot more freedom.
Second, ask yourself if the new module is actually needed, or if there's an existing module that already covers it. For example, MW3/CBT Companion had some additional Stage 4: Tour of Duty paths that never made into AToW...at least not
exactly into AToW. However, I would daresay that converting MW3's Tour of Duty: Draconis Combine would, at the very least, be based quite a lot off of AToW's Tour of Duty: Inner Sphere, so it might not even need converting (just maybe some "suggestions" as to particular skills/traits the player should focus on).
Next, ask yourself if there's an existing module that you can use as a
base for the module you want to use. As mentioned above, someone wanting to convert one of the additional MW3 Tours of Duty will want to pick the right base to work off of -- i.e. for Tour of Duty: Brotherhood of Randis, since the Brotherhood is based in the Periphery, AToW's Tour of Duty: Periphery is a better start point than Tour of Duty: Inner Sphere.
Finally, as pointed out, just make sure the point cost for the module matches up with the net total from all bonuses & penalties to skills, attributes, & traits, & you'll be fine.
