Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

Dumpshock Forums _ Shadowrun _ Nasty vibe

Posted by: Smokeskin Feb 6 2011, 09:09 PM

The description for this thing is seriously vague. It is a magical effect? Pheromones? Just facial expression and mannerism? Will it show if the character is just minding his own business and not interacting? How much a problem is it if he's trying to be friendly - apparently there's no actual penalty for other social tests?

Would it work for a covert ops char who wanted good intimidation without buying charisma and social ware, or would it make him stand out when he wanted to remain anonymous?

Posted by: Mardrax Feb 6 2011, 09:20 PM

QUOTE (Smokeskin @ Feb 6 2011, 10:09 PM) *
Would it work for a covert ops char who wanted good intimidation without buying charisma and social ware, or would it make him stand out when he wanted to remain anonymous?

QUOTE (Runners Companion pg 103)
All the advanced character options in this book automatically suffer the effects of Distinctive Style and do not get a BP bonus.

It wouldn't work.

It's not a magical effect, it's SURGE, so it's genetical/biological. It works by the character having an "indefinable 'air of menace" and other things. "Indefinable" is the key word, like it is for Glamour.

And no, there is no penalty for social tests. Some people just have a thing for bad boys/girls.

Posted by: Mäx Feb 6 2011, 09:31 PM

I would say it's paranatural(ie. magic) effect just like glamour is.

Posted by: Smokeskin Feb 6 2011, 09:47 PM

QUOTE (Mardrax @ Feb 6 2011, 10:20 PM) *
It wouldn't work.

It's not a magical effect, it's SURGE, so it's genetical/biological. It works by the character having an "indefinable 'air of menace" and other things. "Indefinable" is the key word, like it is for Glamour.


Thanks for the reference on Distinctive Style.

But calling it "indefinable" doesn't really cut it, just because people interacting can't put their finger on it, there's still going to be one or more mechanisms behind it. Is it an aura that you will you notice if the Nasty Vibe char is behind you? Does it carry over voice or video, or does it only work face to face? Tons of unanswered questions on this one if you ask me.

Posted by: Mäx Feb 6 2011, 09:52 PM

QUOTE (Smokeskin @ Feb 6 2011, 11:47 PM) *
Does it carry over voice or video, or does it only work face to face?

I would say that only people your talking face to face count as being in your presence wink.gif

Posted by: Glyph Feb 6 2011, 10:31 PM

The character is described as radiating a bad vibe, and people are nervous in his presence. So I agree with Max - it sounds like a paranatural effect. And it really isn't something that the character can consciously mute or turn off.

Posted by: Fatum Feb 6 2011, 11:37 PM

QUOTE (Smokeskin @ Feb 7 2011, 12:47 AM) *
But calling it "indefinable" doesn't really cut it, just because people interacting can't put their finger on it, there's still going to be one or more mechanisms behind it. Is it an aura that you will you notice if the Nasty Vibe char is behind you? Does it carry over voice or video, or does it only work face to face? Tons of unanswered questions on this one if you ask me.

Negative vibrations, duuuuude.

Posted by: Udoshi Feb 7 2011, 12:46 AM

QUOTE (Glyph @ Feb 6 2011, 03:31 PM) *
The character is described as radiating a bad vibe, and people are nervous in his presence. So I agree with Max - it sounds like a paranatural effect. And it really isn't something that the character can consciously mute or turn off.


Go into your local, well-populated game store. Take a look around.

Awkward Gamer Vibe.

That. You have THAT. Always. Except its ramped up to 11.

Posted by: Yerameyahu Feb 7 2011, 04:21 AM

I'd say it works over audio and video. Maybe not text… maybe. smile.gif

Posted by: CanRay Feb 7 2011, 04:24 AM

Depends on how literate the person can be. I've crafted some rather disturbing images based on my nightmares...

In fact, I think I improved on my nightmares, which is saying quite a bit.

Posted by: Machiavelli Feb 7 2011, 11:43 AM

Like Mardrax said: it is SURGE. Like Mäx said: It is magic. Why? Lets see: What is surge? It is the magical change of your biological code. So i think both are right. The effect itself is magical like mentioned in the description. They use the word "paranatural" which means magical. So why do we have a discussion? ^^

Due to the fact that it is magical and "presense" doesn´t include video, telephone or anything else than standing face to face, it would also say that it doesn´t work by this means. So what is left? A freaking scary guy that makes you shit your pants even if (or maybe because of) he tries to be nice to you. Don´t you know all the movies where "victim A" is bound onto a chair and "bad guy 1" is smiling and talking very politely to "victim A" while he is cutting off "victim A"´s fingers? wink.gif

Posted by: Smokeskin Feb 7 2011, 11:56 AM

QUOTE (Machiavelli @ Feb 7 2011, 12:43 PM)
They use the word "paranatural" which means magical. So why do we have a discussion? ^^


They mention nothing of the kind.

Posted by: Machiavelli Feb 7 2011, 12:03 PM

No book at hand. Let me check at home.

Posted by: Yerameyahu Feb 7 2011, 03:31 PM

SURGE isn't magical in effect. It's magical in origin, in the same way that Trolls are magical in origin. Are they still trolls over video? wink.gif

Posted by: CanRay Feb 7 2011, 03:32 PM

Rent "Bubba The Love Troll Does Cell Block B" and find out.

Posted by: Manunancy Feb 7 2011, 05:31 PM

From the description it's very unclear what's exactly causing the reaction, so one can't tell for sure. In my opinion it's a whole mix of looks, body language, voice and maybe even some astral-carried feelings. My own take on it would be to reduce the effects by one step by degree of remoteness :

face-to-face : no problem
video : effect reduced by one
sound only : reduced by two
text/VR : reduced by three

Posted by: Yerameyahu Feb 7 2011, 05:35 PM

Seems fair. smile.gif

Posted by: Mäx Feb 7 2011, 06:38 PM

QUOTE (Smokeskin @ Feb 7 2011, 01:56 PM) *
They mention nothing of the kind.

No, but it's description is very similar to the glamours description and that one is excpesitly mentioned to be a paranatural effect.

Posted by: Udoshi Feb 8 2011, 01:04 AM

QUOTE (Machiavelli @ Feb 7 2011, 05:03 AM) *
No book at hand. Let me check at home.


I got this one.

QUOTE (RC 114)
A character with this quality radiates the ultimate "Bad vibe." Sapient beings in her presence feel an indefinable "air of menace," ill-at-ease, and oppressed. Some might even describe the feeling as being in the presence of evil (regardless of whether this is true or not), and the superstitious might attribute something demonic to the character's nature. Add a +3 dice poolmodifier to all Intimidation Tests and any attempt to instill fear in a sapient target.


Its pretty clear that its for people near you only.

However. Two things. Nasty Vibe is an -positive- quality, not a negative one.
That being said; reputation will also play a part in social tests. Someone with Nasty Vibe will likely get a reputation for being wierd/intimidating, so their street cred will also likely be a relevant social modifier - and street cred will apply when making commcalls, even if the recipient isn't within your aura of menace.

Also, Manunancy's take seems like a very reasonable houserule.

Posted by: Yerameyahu Feb 8 2011, 01:33 AM

'Radiates' and 'in presence' could still mean audio, video, etc. English is funny like that. smile.gif

Posted by: Glyph Feb 8 2011, 02:57 AM

QUOTE (Yerameyahu @ Feb 7 2011, 05:33 PM) *
'Radiates' and 'in presence' could still mean audio, video, etc. English is funny like that. smile.gif

I'd say that's stretching it, but on the other hand... Christopher Walken. eek.gif

Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Feb 8 2011, 02:57 AM

QUOTE (Yerameyahu @ Feb 7 2011, 06:33 PM) *
'Radiates' and 'in presence' could still mean audio, video, etc. English is funny like that. smile.gif


Could, no doubt, but I would say that it is not very likely. To me at least, it is apparent that it is for Face-to-Face interactions.
Of course, opinions vary... wobble.gif

Posted by: Yerameyahu Feb 8 2011, 03:02 AM

My point is that you're just guessing, as is anyone. English *certainly* uses those exact terms in a metaphorical way (Glyph's example of actors is excellent). As usual, the RAW is vague.

Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Feb 8 2011, 03:04 AM

QUOTE (Yerameyahu @ Feb 7 2011, 08:02 PM) *
My point is that you're just guessing, as is anyone. English *certainly* uses those exact terms in a metaphorical way (Glyph's example of actors is excellent). As usual, the RAW is vague.


I prefer the term "Extrapolating"... it sounds much geekier... wobble.gif

Posted by: BookWyrm Feb 8 2011, 04:32 AM

Have you ever walked into a room or nightclub, and although the scene looks normal & safe, you get that feeling, that sense that something is not-quite-right? Your mind runs through the litany of sensory input. but you can't lock down that indication that something is just on the edge of wrong.

Nasty Vibe is like that. Cranked to, on a scale of 1 to 10, 11. 12 automatically induces the leave-area-at-Jay-Garrick-speeds insinct.

Posted by: Smokeskin Feb 8 2011, 09:06 AM

QUOTE (BookWyrm @ Feb 8 2011, 05:32 AM) *
Have you ever walked into a room or nightclub, and although the scene looks normal & safe, you get that feeling, that sense that something is not-quite-right? Your mind runs through the litany of sensory input. but you can't lock down that indication that something is just on the edge of wrong.

Nasty Vibe is like that. Cranked to, on a scale of 1 to 10, 11. 12 automatically induces the leave-area-at-Jay-Garrick-speeds insinct.


Hey, that's a really good example, it clearly conveys the vagueness of RAW on this one.

Posted by: Faraday Feb 8 2011, 10:14 AM

Another good way is to picture nasty vibe: Any time someone is in the current scene and has it, assume http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S3SmJBtg0c&feature=related, violin-dominatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE6ott3DX5U&feature=related.

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Feb 9 2011, 06:45 PM

The best part is that Glamour and Nasty Vibe are not incompatible. That is to say, they are compatible.

"She's so beautiful, she gives me the creeps." biggrin.gif

Posted by: CanRay Feb 9 2011, 06:47 PM

There is such as a thing as "Too Beautiful".

Also, it could be cartoonish in nature, to sexy to be real.

"So... How much of your intestinal tract was removed to get your waist that narrow?"

Posted by: Mäx Feb 9 2011, 06:52 PM

Well the kind of otherworldly beauty given by glamor is pretty easy to imagine as being also very creepy.

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Feb 9 2011, 06:54 PM

Yeah, but that would stop being beautiful. And I've always had a thing for the Uncanny Valley, anyway. love.gif

Posted by: Mäx Feb 9 2011, 07:01 PM

QUOTE (Xahn Borealis @ Feb 9 2011, 08:54 PM) *
Yeah, but that would stop being beautiful. And I've always had a thing for the Uncanny Valley, anyway. love.gif

i don't know, a lot of fairies are descripted in stories as being very beautiful, but also kinda creepy and having exactly the kind of intimidating aura as provided by nasty vibe.
So i atleast have no problem with glamour and nasty vibe being compatible.

Posted by: CanRay Feb 9 2011, 07:07 PM

QUOTE (Xahn Borealis @ Feb 9 2011, 02:54 PM) *
Yeah, but that would stop being beautiful. And I've always had a thing for the Uncanny Valley, anyway. love.gif

And are probably too kinky to torture, too.

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Feb 9 2011, 07:07 PM

Apart from +3 to all social tests for 10 BP?

Posted by: Mäx Feb 9 2011, 07:13 PM

QUOTE (Xahn Borealis @ Feb 9 2011, 09:07 PM) *
Apart from +3 to all social tests for 10 BP?

Tailored pheremones 3 give the same bonus and cost less then 10BP.
So yeah.

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Feb 9 2011, 07:15 PM

Now I have to build a SURGEd pornomancer.

Posted by: Makki Feb 9 2011, 07:25 PM

QUOTE (Xahn Borealis @ Feb 9 2011, 02:15 PM) *
Now I have to build a SURGEd pornomancer.


a pornomancer is surged by definition

Posted by: Faraday Feb 9 2011, 07:29 PM

QUOTE (Makki @ Feb 9 2011, 11:25 AM) *
a pornomancer is surged by definition

There has to be innuendo somewhere in there.


I just can't see it.

Posted by: Mäx Feb 9 2011, 07:31 PM

QUOTE (Xahn Borealis @ Feb 9 2011, 09:15 PM) *
Now I have to build a SURGEd pornomancer.

The latest pornomancer build is allready a surged Dryad.

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Feb 9 2011, 07:49 PM

QUOTE (CanRay @ Feb 9 2011, 07:07 PM) *
And are probably too kinky to torture, too.

"Oooh, is that a cattle prod? What are you going to do with THAT?!"

Posted by: Faraday Feb 9 2011, 08:01 PM

QUOTE (Xahn Borealis @ Feb 9 2011, 11:49 AM) *
"Oooh, is that a cattle prod? What are you going to do with THAT?!"
Stimulate certain nerves in the anal area with a judicious electric discharge, and you can indeed induce a pseudo-orgasm. This is pretty common with certain animals that are too big/dangerous to, ah, manually collect a sample.


AAAAANYWAY, back to the subject at hand.

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Feb 9 2011, 08:06 PM

QUOTE (Faraday @ Feb 9 2011, 08:01 PM) *
Stimulate certain nerves in the anal area with a judicious electric discharge, and you can indeed induce a pseudo-orgasm. This is pretty common with certain animals that are too big/dangerous to, ah, manually collect a sample.


AAAAANYWAY, back to the subject at hand.

Good to know.

Posted by: Faraday Feb 9 2011, 08:09 PM

QUOTE (Xahn Borealis @ Feb 9 2011, 12:06 PM) *
Good to know.

You don't want to know about what they do with pigs.

Edit: Or maybe you do. I'm still not telling you.

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Feb 9 2011, 08:16 PM

Does it involve http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article95732.ece?

Posted by: Faraday Feb 9 2011, 08:47 PM

QUOTE (Xahn Borealis @ Feb 9 2011, 12:16 PM) *
Does it involve http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article95732.ece?
Somehow, I knew you'd know.

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Feb 9 2011, 08:50 PM

Do I have a rep for this sort of thing or something? Frag it, you screw ONE goat....

Posted by: Faraday Feb 9 2011, 10:03 PM

QUOTE (Xahn Borealis @ Feb 9 2011, 12:50 PM) *
Do I have a rep for this sort of thing or something? Frag it, you screw ONE goat....

...you've screwed them all?

Posted by: Xahn Borealis Feb 9 2011, 10:11 PM

Sorry for linking TVTropes, but http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Ptitle1p58slzy?from=Main.ButYouScrewOneGoat

Posted by: stu_pie Feb 25 2011, 08:59 PM

Lil off topic but it says runners get Distinctive Style but it doesnt state what level, and if its only the basic 5BP can I up grade it to the full 35BP?

Posted by: Marvelous Marvin Jul 28 2011, 12:51 AM

I'm having a lot of fun with my Elf Face/social adept that has Cha 8, Leadership at 6 (Persuasion +2), glamour, kinesics (3), Improved Leadership (3), and Commanding Voice.

Its almost as good as Jedi mind trick.

Posted by: ggodo Jul 28 2011, 01:06 AM

QUOTE (Marvelous Marvin @ Jul 27 2011, 05:51 PM) *
I'm having a lot of fun with my Elf Face/social adept that has Cha 8, Leadership at 6 (Persuasion +2), glamour, kinesics (3), Improved Leadership (3), and Commanding Voice.

Its almost as good as Jedi mind trick.

This is why a friend of mine is an adept.

Posted by: Mardrax Jul 28 2011, 01:09 AM

QUOTE (ggodo @ Jul 28 2011, 03:06 AM) *
This is why a friend of mine is an adept.

A social adept is always a friend of yours.

But the real question is:
QUOTE (Marvelous Marvin @ Jul 28 2011, 02:51 AM) *
Its almost as good as Jedi mind trick.

Is it as good as necromancy?

Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)