| From: | Andy Gardner <A.Gardner@******.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: SRII Lethality |
| Date: | Wed, 17 Dec 1997 22:37:58 +0000 |
> <rubs his hands together and jumps up on his soapbox> :)
>
> I've found that the lethality of SR's combat system is just fine.
> What throws it for a loop is SR's karma pool rules.
>
> After running SR for over 5 years one PC had a karma pool of 30. I
> couldn't balance combat anymore. Either he'd walk through it. Or
> I'd jack up the damage so high that he didn't stand a chance. The
> line between the two was razor thin.
One of the reasons to say thank-you to SR2. It really cuts down
those Karma pools. I had a similar situation but the player
unwittingly set up his own solution. His Sam character had gone
through a campaign (under a previous GM) to get hold of a paranormal
animal that could provide spell-defense. In the first serious fight
it got into it received two bursts from an SMG. Being unarmoured it
almost snuffed it. When I therefore allowed the PC to share his
Karma Pool with the critter he was grateful and jumped at the idea.
Now all I need to do if things are too easy, or if I want a tenser
situation for the PC, is target the critter. And since it's a fully
grown panther it's not too surprising when LS or Corp-Sec goons open
up on it first. It's scary, the runners are 'routine' compared to
it.
I just think that Karma is too precious to use it on re-rolls.
Especially since sometimes the character doesn't deserve the bad roll
that just happened.
Another good tactic IMHO, is refresh the Karma Pool AFTER a combat
when the PC's have a chance to rest and catch their breath.
If they are spending karma on leg-work etc. it makes them think
twice, just in case they may need it in the next combat.....
They also think more about using it in combat since they don't know
if these goons are it or if re-inforcements are about to arrive.
Fox on the Net
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