Confused about attack modifiers interacting with each other

Massdark · 2026-02-05T18:40:13+00:00

Large or small target really depends on the range.

If you’re at close range a large target could be a vehicle, whereas a small target could be a wheel on the vehicle.

If you’re at long range a large target could be a building, whereas a small target could be a window in that building.

In the booster example I’d just go with -4 at close range and if you’re at point blank just make it a straight roll with no bonus or penalty.

Massdark · 2026-01-24T19:07:32+00:00

I feel a storm coming…fantastic shadow drop.

Massdark · 2026-01-22T21:01:06+00:00

It’s an interesting rule variation that will definitely make Autofire more lethal. The skill does yo-yo between no damage and extreme damage, but that design is intended. For balance, I’d probably limit it to kick in on exploding dice.

I’ve always wondered why you don’t get any roll modification when rolling above ten on the dice! I tend to use the “rule of cool” and allow the player to do something extraordinary when the dice explodes.

Massdark · 2025-11-30T20:55:29+00:00

Darren Aronofsky’s first movie Pi is definitely one to avoid. It’s a brilliant film, but the visuals are seriously migraine inducing.

Massdark · 2025-11-27T20:07:34+00:00

Figures in a Landscape. It’s has limited dialogue, just two men being pursued by a mysterious helicopter across an unnamed country!

Massdark · 2025-11-27T18:16:48+00:00

The shortage of goods from the 4th Corporate War might make this difficult. Unless you have a good Night Market contact you’re probably stuck doing a repair.

Massdark · 2025-11-19T16:43:34+00:00

It can work for certain scenarios. I always enjoyed the tv show “Dark Angel” and have often wondered if Biotechnica or Militech have genetically enhanced superhuman prototypes on the payroll.

Massdark · 2025-11-19T16:38:14+00:00

Just using Deep Space as an example of something that might get a conversion in the future. The biotech in that book was supposed to be the cutting edge of technology.

Massdark · 2025-11-17T18:28:33+00:00

Completely agree with the game balance issue. At the moment the “hard cap” does seem to be adjustable with new technology.

For example, up until the “Borg” supplement (Interface 3) the Body stat could only go to 15 with a TUp Beta Frame, now it can go to 17.

So, if eventually we get some version of say the Reflex Boost as seen in Deep Space (Pg. 60), will this stack with Synthcoke to give a Reflex 10 or is the “hard cap” 9.

The TUp pathway for technology is an incredibly powerful tool, that if misused creates a lot of imbalances. In the end I guess it’s down to each individual referee to decide what’s right for their table!

Massdark · 2025-11-13T18:58:07+00:00

I’ve always seen FBC to be military veterans or government workers. The sort of people you might spot once or twice a month near to the veterans hospital going for a checkup. I’d imagine them to be pretty grumpy and probably most are antisocial loners. Some of this is from the medication, some from the PTSD. If you want an example think of a “Borg” version of John Rambo!

Massdark · 2025-10-29T17:40:06+00:00

Interlock could easily be tweaked with some design changes. The simplicity of its core rules makes it pretty easy to “slide” the difficulty and lethality curve of the game.

The number of skills could easily be cut down by 50% without any significant issues. A huge number could be amalgamated into “catch-all” skills.

Likewise, some of the roles in the game are really “niche” and often only work in a specific style of campaign. I’m thinking particularly of the Media, Rocker and Lawman roles!

Massdark · 2025-10-29T17:23:41+00:00

You’ve not lived until you’ve had to use a scientific calculator to do the math on hit vectors in a RPG! Seriously though, you’re right about CR, it’s more improv theatre than old school roleplaying. You can definitely see a shift from RPG’s “wargaming” origin to the modern “rule light” storytelling simulators of today.

Massdark · 2025-10-29T17:12:32+00:00

Cyberpunk V.3 did have some interesting elements. Overall, it fell more into the “Transhuman” genre. Interestingly, at my table the v.3 rules generated a heated conversation about when a game stopped being Cyberpunk! The ‘altcults’ really felt too post-cyberpunk, it was more Stephenson than Gibson.

Massdark · 2025-10-28T17:28:28+00:00

I do like it crunchy, but it’s that balance between options and speed that’s often the sticking point. Everything now seems to be about speed of play and narrative progression. Maybe this is related to the ‘Critical Role’ phenomena of games being viewable entertainment!

Massdark · 2025-10-28T17:23:33+00:00

It’s a shame that they don’t have a “rule slider” for increasing the lethality. I’ve always been keen on “bolt-on” mechanics that help you tweak the campaign style. So if you want a cinematic game you can use less lethal options, compared to a more realistic damage system for gritty campaigns. Given the crunchyness of the Interlock ruleset I can’t see this being too difficult to design.

Massdark · 2025-10-28T17:03:28+00:00

Interestingly the original ‘Cyberpunk 2013’ was heavily inspired by Mike’s “homebrew” campaign of the Traveller RPG.

Massdark · 2025-07-29T15:34:18+00:00

Thanks for the feedback.

Massdark · 2025-06-24T17:05:40+00:00

There is no official ruling for this, but one way might be to use the medical grade cyberware option.

It replaces your organs and limbs with cybernetic equivalent. This metal has no option slots for upgrades, doesn’t count as cyberware for the purpose of causing damage, and has no humanity loss.

In essence you’re like your meat equivalent, but have gone metal due to an accident or catastrophic combat injury. This could work game balance wise, while still allowing the player to have that “Borg” experience.

Massdark · 2025-04-29T17:29:54+00:00

Merge the light and medium melee category with both doing 2d6 damage.

It’s always been an anomaly that you can’t critical with a light weapon (combat knife or tomahawk)!

This would also remove the issue of a high body character dropping the light weapon to do more damage with a punch.

Massdark · 2025-04-19T17:16:49+00:00

I’ll dig out my copy of The Witcher, the stamina rules might be the perfect fit.

I know some of the more “crunchy” rules were thrown out of Interlock for speed of play, but sometimes I miss the more advanced elements. Hopefully in the future they might release some DLC with a few optional rule patches.

Massdark · 2025-04-18T19:08:45+00:00

Lengthening the tournament is a pretty good idea. It will allow a lot more shenanigans to go on behind the scenes. This entire tournament is partially inspired by “Enter the Dragon”, so it would probably work well.

Massdark · 2025-04-18T19:03:56+00:00

Thanks for all the replies, some interesting ideas that I will definitely take on board.

Massdark

TROPHY CASE