Message no. 1

From:	Strago strago@***.com
Subject:	Dealing with Powergamers (was Re: Fwd: SR3 movement PROBLEM (and initiative rant))
Date:	Wed, 16 Jun 1999 00:36:09 -0400

Kelson wrote:

> <SNIP>
> But that would fall under plan a above. ;) Just throwing more goons at the players
doesn't fix the problem. It only encourages the players to make cyberzombies and kick ass
magicians at character creation. This, of course, makes the GM throw even more goons at
the PCs....see a cycle here? Take some time to figure out what it is that is causing your
PCs to be so powerful when compared to everyone else. Post more questions to the list and
see what happens. I am sure that some of us here will be happy to help you out.
>

Actually, one of my co-GMs and I discussed this yesterday. I'm moving away from combat as
much as possible. I want to screw with the PCs? How about this? The PC goes to meet his
fixer to buy the latest gun. He goes home, his code doesn't work. His key also doesn't
work. If he tries to batter down the door, alarms go off. Lone Star shows up. Finally,
this perfect stranger exits the house. Two small children are peeking out the door. The PC
has no home. Or, the PC tries to buy a gun using a credstick. There's no nuyen on the
credstick. The PC has no money.
Or, you make a run where for every person killed, the amount of money drops, say, 3
percent. Then you make the run similar to one where a bloodbath occurred previously. Watch
them become way less violent.
Basically, I'd say, think outside the box. Avoid combat at all costs. You are the
reason the PCs are shooting in the first place (as Blackjack so eloquently says). So force
them to avoid shooting. They'll eventually tire of wasting their resources and skill
points and essence and you'll get the kind of game you'd like to see without trying to
"teach them a lesson" (something I learned the hard way.)
--
--Strago

The gene pool in the 21st century needs a deep cleaning. I am the chlorine.

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