Thoughts on Skill Check calls

[GM_Chris]

Again this is for people who like to discuss mechanics and not for people freaking out that FH is somehow changing or anything said here will ever be seen in FH. Doubt me then talk to the other GM's and thy will tell you there is nothing on the GM board about any of the crazy stuff I am posting.


Oppions on what I will call a Skill check "call"

so right now someone calls sleep, and you call resist sleep.

How about a skill check call like Fear 10

If your resist fear number is less than the number called then you are feared, but if more than you are not feared. This would be a passive skill.

You could even get a little creative and have 3 outcomes less than, more than, or tied.

You could go another way too. Half or less the number called, greater than or more than the number called, and in the middle.

Basically, You are afraid, you are really afraid, you are pissed and get some adrenealin bennift to damage against the person you feared you.

[Garritt]

The thought itself is good, though I can't see it working terribly well in the heat of combat or anything stressful. In times when even damage can be unclear, the clarity of something that can affect a character's entire reaction to the surroundings would need to be paramount.

Other than that, like I said, an interesting idea.

The deciding factor is also how you gain levels of resists that could make or break it as complicated or not. With a FH comparison, your idea of matching or exceeding the "Fear 10" to get a sort of "Adrenaline surge" against the monster requires three purchases of the "Resist Fear skill", which forces a player on being very focused on "Fear and Fear only", and still only nets you the ability to throw a fear immediately back at the monster, who will likely just be able to resist it and negate the entire process, as "Fear" comes after "Resist Fear" in skill costs.

[GM_Chris]

your right it wouldnt work in the current FH system at all.

Your thoughts on combat are my main concern as well. Play test it with a friend and get back with me

[Ark]

the only problem i see with attaching status effects to calls is the same problem with knockout, and one im still explaining to people all this time later. its hard to tell whats damage, or a number that represents somethings strength. especially in the heat of battle.

[Wyrmwrath]

Its only hard when such a change is first made AND if the information isnt properly communicated to the players.

I have seen it done smoothly in a few LARPs.

The simplest method is:

number before effect is damage, after the effect is strength. For example:

"10 sleep"

you are hit with 10 damage, that if it makes it to life points you are put to sleep.

"sleep 10"

You are hit with an affect that, unless resisted, puts you to sleep with a strength of 10(10 minutes / 10 minus sleep resistance minutes_

"10 sleep 10"

You are hit with 10 damage that will put you to sleep, iof it does LP damage, for 10 strength (see above)


I have heard over the years on the FH/WH boards how hard it is to keep track of all the damage and effect calls if they get to complicated. Truth is they do it at NERO, Shifted Lands, CARPS, and several others. Hell at SL there are PCs with hundreds of skill/build points with DOZENS of COMBAT powers and effects.

What makes it hard at FH/WH is the infrequency of events and the frequency of near total rules revision.

Give the players more credit. They CAN handle sombat call with some complexity and depth. Especialy if it fits the skills of their PC.

[GM-Mike]

the frequency of near total rules revision

Gee, I don't think we've ever changed more than half the rules at a given time.

[Kalphoenix]

While I like the idea in theory, my current rendition of LARP rules had a similar mechanic and it's messy in actual fighting.

I'm not saying it CAN'T work, just that it's messy to listen to and figure out, especially if you have multiple calls/resists going on at a time.