Re: [BNW] Crescent City Comments and Questions (MATT)

[whytcrow@io.com]

>
>I haven't read the book yet, but the best way I can think to limit the havok
>that a timetripper can do in a combat phaze is this.
>I combat with the chaos and confusion of the fight around him means he can
>only set back five minutes (one round), unless he makes one hell of a skill
>roll, then roll back automaticly to the begining of combat.

But that's not how their power works.  It rewinds 1 full minute (12 
rounds).  I suppose you could say it only works on one round (5 
seconds), but that's making it work seperately in and out of combat. 
I never liked that in DnD (spells that worked differently depending 
on the metagame differences in situations), and I wouldn't be happy 
with it here.  One round can still be a lot of actions (I have one of 
those PCs that rolls amazingly well on initiative too).

You'd have a better argument for stressed vs non-stressed situations, 
but then you severely limit the power enough that I can't imagine 
most people would want to play it (and why would you have an NPC 
Timetripper?)

I realize that I may have been harsh on the power, as I prefer things 
to be relatively book-keeping free and rules light, and that's purely 
a personal preference.  But I maintain that this kind of char is 
completely disruptive to a game.  Combats aren't terribly quick 
real-time, even if they are covering a short period of time in-game.

And if the one PC who can do this ends up erasing cool 
moments/actions regarding other PCs, then there could end up being 
resentment.  Not to mention the logistical nightmare for the GM as 
the Timetripper has a quick conversation with someone, and bounces it 
back a minute.  He still has the info, but there is no way that the 
other person knows she gave it to him.

Back to the NPC Timetripper:  How in the world are most PCs goign to 
be able to deal with one?  Oops, they beat me--rewind.  They can't 
change their plans, but he can.  Not a 100% guarentee, but close 
enough to completely frustrate the players.

I would've made it Alpha Class if I designed it, but then agian, I 
wouldn't have put anything like this in the game.  (And it won't be 
in my campaign).  You never give PCs anythign that can and will be 
disruptive if used, to the detriment of everyone else's fun.  And 
sure, most people are going to be reasonable and use their char's 
abilities in a non-disruptive manner.  But some aren't.  And all it 
takes is one twink to ruin your game.

Jennifer

The White Crow
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