| From: | Allen Versfeld moe@*******.com |
|---|---|
| Subject: | A British Formori (LONG) (RE: A British Giant) |
| Date: | Thu, 05 Aug 1999 10:53:26 +0200 |
since I got so used to playing with no source books (and sometimes even
no BBB) that when I can't remember the rules for something, or the
correct modifier, I just make it up right there, on the spot, with none
of my players ever having to know that I broke the rules.
The result, in my games, anyway, is that players can be as potent as
they want, but strangely, they end up no more, or less, effective than
anybody else.
First problem: He destroyed the elemental so easily.
Solution: Did you ever tell him what force it was? no? simple. Halve
the damage. He can't see your notes (can he?) so he will never be the
wiser. If, or when, he says "How can he still be alive after all that
I've thrown at him?!?" reply with a smug grin. Don't answer, just
grin! (mysteriously, when another more reasonable player takes a shot,
his attacks do normal damage...)
Second problem: the mages had no defense because they expected the
spirits to defend them.
Solution: Who says they had no defense? <evil grin> You? did you tell
the players? Do I need to elaborate?
Some people, on reading this, would say "You can't do that, that's
cheating"
I say, "You're the GM, you *are* the law, how can it be cheating? Don't
tell the players *anything* that isn't immediately apparent to them, and
you will be free to change those elven teenagers that were waiting to
ambush the party to frikkin Cybermantic Troll Special Forces
Was-That-Shotgun-Supposed-To-Hurt shadowrunner-haters. That concentrate
their fire on the guy with the biggest guns. Then get taken out by the
rest of the part, because munchy-boy softened them up just enough.
Alternatively, the bad guy could mysteriously *not be there*!
Some other people might then say "You're just fighting fire with fire -
this will then encourage the player to come up with an even more
powerful character"
I say "No, you're not using fire, you're undermining his every move. If
he takes it as a challenge, start making it a bit more obvious.
Practice 2 facial expressions: Poker face (for when they completely frag
your planned opposition and need to improvise something to keep it
interesting), and the steely, staring them in the eye "yeah, the
baddies all targeted you, leaving all your friends alone, what're you
going to do about it, hmm?" look to stop any complaints. Learn how to
bullshit - "I'll definitely hit this time - I have point-blank range?"
"erm... well you're still so amped from adrenaline that you're starting
to shake, and your target has just started running. Also, the sprinkler
system has been set off by your fireball spell, which also took ou the
lights, and your gun-hand is slick with sweat so mumble, mumble, add 2,
mumble, mumble, carry the 1, mumble your target number is 12." (very
important to mumble!)
Of course, it takes a certain amount of attitude, and a great deal of
finesse to pull this off without seriously annoying players, and
(thankfully) I don't have to do it often...
--
Allen Versfeld
moe@*******.com
Wandata
QVANTI CANICVLA ILLA IN FENESTRA
