Getting (an) Edge with Legwork and Knowledge, for GMs with "difficult" groups Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Makki]

I noticed three things in the past:
1) many players (usually unexperienced ones) leave Edge aside during chargen and use their BP elsewhere. This is very sad.
2) some groups tend to skip over legwork and dive right into the mess. This is not supposed to be a criticism: Some tables prefer to leave the roleplaying aspect at a minimum and can't bare hours of bribing janitors and chatting up contacts in shady bars. But I believe other tables don't feel the need for it and the advantages of it, because let's face it, some GMs are not perfect.
3) Knowledge skills don't have a mechanical effect 99% of the time. Can be difficult for the GM to implement them regularly and on a fair basis.


I just came up with a solution for all three at once:

Every PC starts with minimum Edge as RAW. Edge can't be bought at chargen or with karma.
Instead, the GM rewards the players (all or individually) with Edge points for every successful piece of legwork.
Edge may also be gained by (very) successful knowledge skill checks on a critical topic.

examples:
-Hacker spends some time on data search and Hacking in order to get floor plans. Very helpful for the team. One point of Edge for everybody.
-Street sam bribes his gang contact. He aquires information about their enemies' equipment. One point of Edge for everybody who will be directly facing/fighting them.
-The Shaman assenses a patrolling spirit, that looks kinda weird. He then roles a knowledge skill check on "Spirits of the 6th world". Bam, 4 successes. The GM deems this enough to award the mage (and anybody he shares his knowledge with) with one point of Edge, that can be used in any circumstance regarding said spirit.