| From: | The Deb Decker <RJR96326@****.UTULSA.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Threat Karma |
| Date: | Sat, 19 Jun 1993 15:43:58 -0500 |
As for which, it depends on how much you trust your GM not to abuse up to
4 extra dice for each test. But foist, an analysis of the two methods.
Threat Ratings: These are like pools that don't refresh and can't buy
rerolls. Essentially, the villain adds the TR in dice to whatever test
he makes. However, he doesn't get any other pools (like Combat Pool)
so he effectively only gets 4 extra dice to resist damage with.
Karma Pools: You know what these do. They buy re-rolls and add dice
to any test you choose--but must refresh to be used again. Since a
good villain will have a Karma pool of around 10 (based on characters
we played for 2 years) this means they can throw a lot more dice at you.
They can also burn permanently to save their butts. However, since they
need to refresh, a coordinated attack that uses up that pool can whittle
them down.
Personally, I think Threat Ratings are kinder and gentler. Sure, they can use
those extra dice all the time, but they have fewer dice to do it with. Karma
pools can be handled with a great deal of coordination in the team. It's
kind of like ablative vs non-ablative armor: either you have a set amount to nail each
time, or you have a higher amount that can be whittled down.
BTW: This is tinged by the fact that Steve Huth gave his villains Karma
Pools and they stomped on us. One PC killed, two others seriously wounded,
one incapacitated. And this was a team of 6 vs 2 NPCs.
J Roberson
