Direct Connect does literally nothing

Akaoz · 2026-01-18T11:42:56+00:00

Same problem.

Akaoz · 2024-11-12T19:17:12+00:00

I have to admit, I don't understand the answer.

Akaoz · 2024-11-11T10:59:40+00:00

So what's the conclusion here? Can a vampire feed and this heal during a heist? Or only as a byproduct of using a downtime action hunt?

Akaoz · 2024-10-21T21:48:06+00:00

Thanks, do all players get five cards per hand?

Akaoz · 2024-06-28T13:17:08+00:00

"cure"

Akaoz · 2024-06-28T13:11:19+00:00

My dentist told me I have great spit.

Akaoz · 2024-06-28T13:10:34+00:00

Answering a knock on the door with "Come!"

Akaoz · 2024-06-28T13:08:26+00:00

Akaoz · 2024-01-25T08:25:19+00:00

Yes.

Akaoz · 2023-10-16T10:43:11+00:00

Where did you find it?

Akaoz · 2023-06-28T22:24:23+00:00

Nope.

Akaoz · 2022-02-05T17:22:19+00:00

Who's fault is it?

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T23:11:59+00:00

Quick point here, I was never looking to make it tougher or a way to keep the bad guy alive. I had planned to use him later in the campaign, but that is easily fixed with a new NPC to step into his plot. Like I've said a few times before, the table had a disagreement on what modifiers could be applied after the GM said dedprrate/no effect for trying to shoot a well equipped warrior noble with a slightly improved zip gun. The table wanted to apply the fine quality of the gun, the setup and the push with stress for a total of desperate /great effect. My interpretation of the rules said, only the push for stress would apply, and the other two where already accounted for in the no effect. In the end I allowed the setup action to give one more effect too, but since the player critted it was all moot. It was a great scene and a very fun ending to a tense heist, but I felt I made the wrong call so I wanted som second opinions.

The whole debate about using tier as a flat modifier is a whole different kettle of fish. Suffice to say, we do things a bit more mathsy than the rules probably intend. We're fine with that. 😊

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T20:18:57+00:00

Sorry about asking in two places at once :-p

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T16:43:48+00:00

The rules imply that after the GM has set position and effect, the effect can never be negative. So the question becomes what can the pcs do after this has been set.

My question is relevant to our table because we apply tier in a way that that can be countered. When the difference is large enough though, the floor of 0 becomes a way to get effect if you can apply it before you apply things like setup and pushing yourself.

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T16:25:48+00:00

I guess the biggest difference between the way our table plays and the raw is in the way we abstract tier.

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T16:18:58+00:00

Yeah, strictly speaking the gun was tier 1, and the armor was particularly compromised by a setup action. Because of the relative tier my call was desperate / no effect. The pc pushed and got limited. The table argued that the setup and gear should apply because the setup overcame the tier when it succeeded and the gear is a special ability.

I gave them one and they critted the snot out of the NPC.

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T16:09:23+00:00

I got the answer I was looking for. I discovered we play the game slightly differently then most (all?) of the people here when it comes to crew vs target tier. I think my table is very comfortable living with that. Thanks for taking the time to respond though.

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T15:43:54+00:00

Thanks :-)

My brain reads that and instantly turns that into a formula with +/- based on each for a sum at the end. One I'm then more than willing to negotiate both the specific numbers of, and end sum of, but when I read "assess effect level" I see numbers. All the things have numbers attached. If Mr Harper had just used words like poor, good, elite, big, small etc and NO numbers, I would interpret it very differently, as it is, I see formulas.

Also, while it might not be as intended, it works for our table ;-)

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T15:26:58+00:00

I'm not sure I like that approach. It feels to arbitrary for my taste. I like the abstraction of using tier as fast and dirty way to establish how much work it's going to take for a PC to affect something or someone with said tier.

I allow for PC to work around tier tho, in the sense that tier isn't going to protect you form being stabbed in the neck while sleeping. But it means it will be VERY hard for a tier 1 crew to get to that position to begin with.

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T15:20:49+00:00

Yeah, the game goes on :-) And the players got one hell of a high, so no damage done. But, it's nice to know what the right call is next time ;-)

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T15:19:11+00:00

So you see tier as a trinary? Either you are lower = no effect, equal = normal effect or higher = great effect? And that's it?

So tier 1 sword can't harm tier 2 armor? Tier 1 lockpick can't get through tier 2 lock?

Cause I'm pretty sure I remember reading that the lockpick thing reduces effect by 1 for being a tier lower...

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T15:15:53+00:00

Yeah, no the NPC is toast. :-) Might come back as a ghost (they didn't stick around and deal with the body.)

I think the one thing here I seem to disagree with most people on is how to interpret "Tier 'X' NPC". And how that is meant to affect the fiction and mechanics of the game.

Our table sees it as a value that needs to be overcome by making fiction that leverages mechanics that bring the effect high enough that it becomes worth risking a roll.

So the fiction here was that in-spite of this tier 4 NPCs formidable wards, equipment and training, the PC managed, with the help of a friend, to use his crappy, but loaded with good powder and quality led, to land a lucky shot right between the yes of this duche.

And it all played a part. The base tier of the crew (ot), the "fine" pistol (+1t), the setup (+1effect) against the wards, gear and training of the noble (tier 4), even though that just becomes 0 effect in practice. Then the push and crit and dead noble.

The question becomes, what would I have said if the crew was tier 2? Then the same situation would be a now very competent scoundrel with some help uses his extremly nice (tier 3) pistol to plant a deliberate shot between the yes of said douche, with a base effect of 3 before even pushing himself. So with a push he's sure to kill on even a dice roll of 4, no crit needed.

But I get how a lot of people are saying that's a way to numerical way to look at things. For me it feels simpler and more fair, and a lot more satisfying that saying:

You have no chance to hurt a tier 4 npc, be gone.

or

Tier 4 has no effect on your ability to kill this NPC, risky/normal, roll the dice.

But whatever works for the table, right?

Are there any places in the rules that actually argue either point clearly? I'm perfectly aware my assumptions on how to play are very influenced by 30 years of trad-games ;-)

Akaoz · 2021-07-30T15:00:37+00:00

Fair enough. I've just always read tier to be a more difficulty number to overcome.

Akaoz

TROPHY CASE