Re: [HOE] Why is Blastin' a Knowledge aptitude?

[john tfs <johntfs1@yahoo.com>]

> >Actually, I'm planning to make changes to all the
> >beginning skill costs.  Levels 1-2 still cost 1
> point,
> >3-4 will now cost 2 points and Level 5 will cost 3
> >points.  On the other hand I've reduced the cost of
> >beginning Concentrations to 1 point each.
> >
> >I also incorporate penalties to Spirit-based skills
> >based on the Fear level: Penalty = Fear level - 2.
> >So, Fear level 3 gives a -1 penalty, etc.  There's
> >already penalties for guts rolls that are higher. 
> It
> >seems reasonable that once it's high enough, the
> "Fear
> >factor" would beginning to shake people's Faith,
> Chi
> >Meditation, etc.
> 
> Sounds ok, I would suggest offsetting it with Grit.
> So Penalty = Fear Level 
> - 2 + Grit
> 

I'd already factored that in, but I should've specifically mentioned it.  Yes, Grit always reduces Fear penalities.

> My next thought is why keep it at just spirit roles?
> Why not all rolls? 
> Your hand starts to shake as you move through the
> deadland, you keep 
> getting glimpses out of the corner of your of
> something looking at you; 
> when you turn its just a dead tree or strange rock
> formation. Perhaps the 
> penalty would be less severe maybe level - 3 or 4.
> On the other hand, 
> something like meditation may help you overcome the
> fear.
> 

I like that idea.  Obvious bonuses for Grit would still apply.  How about this, too? Each raise above the target number of a Guts check reduces the Fear Penalty by 1.  It makes sense, but I don't want to make combat too involved or confusing for the Marshalls, especially when large Posses are involved.

> The only change I have made to Sykers is to change
> the rate at which they 
> get back strain. Riding in a car as it traverses the
> potholed roads isn't 
> as conducive to regaining strain as sitting quietly
> under a tree. So I've 
> introduced penalties based upon the situation,
> comfort levels, noisiness 
> etc. I figure though that most sykers have come up
> with ways to block some 
> of it out, so I let them make some sort of
> meditation check to try and 
> regain a greater amount of strain.
> 

I tend not to bother much with the Strain recovery rules unless somebody's used a whole bunch of it or there's one combat right after another (or some other time-based reason to keep track of Strain recovery).  It's too much niggling book-keeping work for me.

> - michael
> 
> 
> "It is unlucky to be stubborn in the face of
> insurmountable odds."
> 
> "Coming to an impasse, change; having changed, you
> can get through."
> - Tao Te Ching
> 

"I am Justice.  I am Fate.  I am what happens to
tinpot scum like yourselves when you begin to suffer
from delusions of adequacy.  I am the Shithammer of
God swinging down from Heaven to smash you back into
the wastelands that spawned you.  There comes a time
when fear, greed and evil must be redressed.  The time
is now, the place is here and God help anyone who gets
in my way." - Malachi Shepherd

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