What's Good For the Goose...?, NPC's vs PC's Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Anythingforenoug...]

I have a question about how other groups handle player requests for their characters that are either non-cannon, or pseudo-canonical at best. By way of background as to how this particular question has arisen in our group:

In one of my games I had an total sexploitation based NPC who was an adept assassin that followed a totem (Cobra) based path. She had mastered a unique metamagic which allowed her to use the critter power Confusion when she danced, which was the basis of how she operated in combat (as I said, a total sexploitation based character). I got the idea for this power/NPC in a total muchkin moment when I was reading through the totems and got to Horse, which grants its followers the ability to learn the critter power movement as a metamagic technique.

Now I am in the situation where I have players who want to have similar rule-bending elements for their PCs. We don't have any players in our group who generally ask for things for their PCs that don't make since, the standard is for things to line up pretty well with the character concept/backstory-so I don't get a lot of the outrageous you only want this because you think it is cool even though it makes no sense for your character at all, type of requests.

Being as this sort of question, how close to cannon the PCs must remain must be something that a lot of groups have to deal with, I was wondering, how do you come down on the question?

Thanks in advance for any of you who take the time to respond.

Anythingforenoughnuyen.

[Herald of Verjig...]

So, how unusual is it? On a scale from "different visible effects of the armor spell" to "complete non-magical immunity to lead" about where does this rule-bend fit?

[fistandantilus4....]

My 2 :nuyen: , I'd say that if it makes sense for the character , make them work for it, but otherwise, why not? If a character can summon a spirit to use a power, why not let the character have the power? If you're worried about game balance, tweak the power a bit, or give it drain to balance it. Just make sure that it fits with the character, and it doens't get out of hand, like everyonewanting a unique metamagic poiwer. Then it becomes a superhero's game.

[nick012000]

Or, given the general tone of Shadowrun, a Supervillians game. :P

[fistandantilus4....]

the villians were always cooler anyways. Really, who wanted to be a GI Joe hoser or autobot, when you could be a 'Cobra' or Deceptacon!? Bumblebee's a loser anyways. :D

[nick012000]

Besides which, the overly complex plans? So Shadowrun. ;)

[toturi]

[Mr.Platinum]

In my games all my Players have to make Canon characters or get out!

[Nyxll]

This is why we make house rules. There are many things in Cannon which are limited or we just do not like, so we make house rules to tailor the game to enhance our gameplay.

In my games, if there is something that will not overpower the gameplay, and really adds colour to the character I will let it stand. (I usually have some kind of flaw or drawback that goes with it for balance, although many times other players in the group have no idea about the negatives, and get a bit jealous at times till they find out more)

[toturi]

[Mr.Platinum]

[The Stainless St...]

I am usually fairly flexible, but I have the advantage of exclusivity, meaning my players don't take their characters to some other GM's table and try to convince them to let them get away with the same shenanigans that I do.

I try not to let the rule raping run rampant, but if I think something will add to the story or flavor of the game then I'll usually let it slide.

[Dawnshadow]

If you're going to add minor things to NPCs that are non-canon, then you should allow similar for PCs -- up to a point.

Half the fun of Shadowrun is that you are the little guy, compared to the opposition.

[Nyxll]

[Aku]

i think that if it's a technique available to multiple NPCs, than it should be avaialable to PCs as well, If its only one NPC however, than you can safely say that they "discovered" the technique or whatever, and not make it available to PCs, atleast, not without a price...

[Kagetenshi]

I do not make everything I make available to my NPCs available to my PCs. This is canon—Otaku abilities before Brainscan, Insect Totems, Path of the Righ, etc. etc etc.

That said, I (with one exception) generally approve non-canon things for PCs if I want to make them allowable to anyone in the future.

~J

[eidolon]

[Nyxll]

[Pendaric]

My stance is that every Ref automatic answer to "please give me question" is NO!
If the player can jump through Ref's stringent hoops of credibility and consistency, I might downgrade to Maybe.
That being said, there are grey areas that beg to be explored, all it requires is a little subtly.
And a excessively sized, crude length of deciduous forest. :evil:

[Kagetenshi]

[Glyph]

I agree. The dice are there to provide a fixed measurement of concepts such as skill or toughness, as well as add a truly random element to the game. I understand that sometimes GMs need to adjust things on the fly, but shy away from messing with dice rolls. If the PCs are having a rough time, then it's their own fault if their characters don't run away. If they are having too easy of a time, just let them. You can always make the opposition tougher next time. There is a fine line between "adding cinematic value" and railroading.


On allowing things equally for both PCs and NPCs, I would say that NPCs cover a wider range than the PCs do, from squatters and wage slaves up to dragons and immortal elves. So at the higher end, there are a few things, such as Path of the Righ, that are out of the reach of PCs, at least starting ones. You can also limit them from abilities that are either an exclusive discovery of one NPC, or limited to a secretive group of NPCs. However, if NPCs with special, non-canon abilities are fairly common, then it is only fair to allow PCs the same opportunity if they want something special for their character.

[fistandantilus4....]

[Kagetenshi]

[RunnerPaul]

[toturi]