 Vampire Player Character System, Not "munchkin"ing, just want some advice |
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 Dec 1 2003, 04:08 AM
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#1
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Target  Group: Members Posts: 42 Joined: 1-December 03 From: Des Moines, IA Member No.: 5,866  |
Ok, I have a GM who is just crazy enough to let me be a Vampire PC and we, of course, referenced the Critter's Guide for the description of powers and such. Anyway, this is what we have come up with so far relating only to the question I will ask in a moment:
1) Must drink blood twice a day 2) Will lose a point of essence every two weeks 3) Can only have up to double essence (with no cyberwear = 12) 4) Enhanced Physical Attributes (Str, Body, or Quickness) with increase to chosen attribute by current essence and activated at will only twice a day. #4 is the part at issue. My GM and I were wondering whether there should be a limit at all and should it be based on rage and animal instinct instead of as listed above? If so, should it affect ALL of the attributes and should it cost essence for me to do it (simulating the energy spent to be in a "bloodlust" state)? The reason we are bringing this up is because I am essentially taking in more essence than I'm losing and there is not much reason for me to "drain" someone during a mission. This proposal would force my character to have to feed in order to fuel the abilities as noted. I know this sounds like "blood points" from WW Vampire and I am familiar with that system, but I think some essence loss is more appropriate than only being able to boost one skill a limited amount of times. Any thoughts would be helpful and thanks in advance. |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:18 AM
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#2
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
There aren't really rules, per se, to playing a vampire, however, the powers and limitations are pretty much defined in the guide. 1) You really only need to drink once a month to keep your Essence up. Other than that, it's for the nutrition/psychological keeping. 2) You lose a point of Essence every month. Unless you're Nosferatu, in which case it's 1+1D6 months. 3) I've never heard of a max in Essence, but I've always seen it ruled down to 12 as a max just to keep them somewhat in line. 4) You can only enhance what it says you can enhance. If it lists nothing in paranthesis, then it enhances all physical attributes all the time, adding Essence to each. You lose no Essence for this. Edit: If you're curious, I'm also starting a campaign where all the PCs are HMHVV infected. It's titled "Vampires of Seattle" and is in the "Welcome to the Shadows" section. Feel free to read up, some of it should be somewhat helpful, I hope. Edit #2: Things with regeneration don't take 'ware too well. The moment you make the Deadly wound-appropriate cut to insert something, they usually seal right back up. I can see Vampiric Pawns taking it, but only if they keep it minimal, otherwise they might get fragged over when their Essence drops. I can see it now... Doctor: OK, we make the incision... * Vampire regenerates. Doctor: OK, we make... * Vampire regenerates. Doctor: OK, we make the incision... We make the incision... We make the fragging incision... Frag it! * Vampire regenerates a few times during the process. |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:30 AM
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#3
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Target Group: Members Posts: 42 Joined: 1-December 03 From: Des Moines, IA Member No.: 5,866 |
I know that the rules are as you state them, but we are modifying them so I don't "overshadow" the rest of the group. The GM and I took the real rules into account and wanted a way to limit them a bit.
I was wondering if you think the rage induced boost in attributes at the cost of some essence was more reasonable. Sorry for the confusion. |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:30 AM
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#4
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 131 Joined: 1-April 02 From: Finland, Iisalmi Member No.: 2,497 |
There's some rules for playing vampires in some of the older Nagee's, to be exact, issue 9. Check there. Rules for PC ghouls appear in the Shadowrun Companion.
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Dec 1 2003, 04:32 AM
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#5
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
Well, for sake of simplicity, if he doesn't want you to overshadow, then he shouldn't let you play. That or make sure all the NPCs are armed with anti-Vampire stuff (Wood stakes, EX Explosive ammo, etc...) or are very racist towards you, thus hampering your ability in everything social.
For just changing the rules... Well, I don't know many other systems, and I personally think that if you're going to allow one character to be vampiric, let them all be to show how really not fun it is. Edit: Also, if he really wants to take you down a notch, have him lower your Availability cap and your starting resources. Sure, you can still deal a maximum of 21M with a katana (6 Str + 12 Essence + 3 on katana), but can you afford much else? :D |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:32 AM
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#6
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Target Group: Members Posts: 42 Joined: 1-December 03 From: Des Moines, IA Member No.: 5,866 |
I'm sorry, what is a "Nagee"? I've never heard of that? |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:38 AM
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#7
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 475 Joined: 17-June 02 From: Concord University, Athens, WV Member No.: 2,880 |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:42 AM
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#8
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,065 Joined: 16-January 03 From: Fayetteville, NC Member No.: 3,916 |
The problem is vampires are just dangerous.
They're powerful and usually exceed the relative power of other PCs. Now, the GM might float the other players some bennies by way of extra karma or free edges to balance things out, but after a certain point you're looking at a super heroes game. -Siege |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:43 AM
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#9
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
Unless it's all Vampires. In which case the NPCs carry shotguns that fire wood flechettes and pistols with EX Ex.
Or they just Fireball them to all else. "Toasty!" |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:45 AM
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#10
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 280 Joined: 21-April 03 From: Singapore Member No.: 4,487 |
I agree with Siege - it's like allowing a player to play a free spirit ("Whoa! I can cast a Force 10 Fireball without any drain!!"): it's not a question of game balance but a matter of the power level running away on you if you're not careful.
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Dec 1 2003, 04:46 AM
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#11
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,065 Joined: 16-January 03 From: Fayetteville, NC Member No.: 3,916 |
Or there will be an amazing surge in sale of Combat Axes.
Let's face it -- if you find and down a vamp, are you going to leave it in any condition that could be charitably referred to as "intact?" -Siege "It's a trick; get an axe." |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:47 AM
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#12
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,047 Joined: 12-November 03 From: Perilously close to the Sioux Nation. Member No.: 5,818 |
Still, I've had very powerful players limit themselves in role-playing fashions. A good group won't complain.
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Dec 1 2003, 04:47 AM
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#13
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
Or just very heavy objects that do lots of Stun, since they can't regenerate that.
*Hack, Deadly* *Regen* *Punch, Deadly* *Unconscious* |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:50 AM
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#14
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,065 Joined: 16-January 03 From: Fayetteville, NC Member No.: 3,916 |
In which case, it'll depend on the quality of the players involved. Arguably, you could constrain the powers and bennies of a vampire to limit the inherent nastiness. Or just assign a massive point value to being a vampire: 35 points to be a minor vamp? Or be nasty and use rules similar to the "ghoul-ification" for surviving the shock of becoming a vamp. -Siege |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:50 AM
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#15
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 124 Joined: 21-November 03 Member No.: 5,837 |
Ito there is in my group...
Balancing is very possibly the hardest part. That is why at starting I have a weapon focii...it is also why he allowed a starting character to use a 14S sniper rifle, and we have a mage once iniated. Shortly I will be able to get Naruto-esque Ninja powers (in the same way adepts get powers, they will be ninja powers...) Other than that, the balances were set as they were for gamplay...If our GM allowed a full out Vamipre, what he would have to give to us and allow us to do...I shudder to think. I should also mention he does have the gaseous form ability too, balance here is he can travel only with clothing(a little off the cannon, but reappearing nude for sake of gameplay didn't work out so well)... I may also point out the other thing he(playing a she does) which is forced willpower rolls at the sight of blood. That about covers it I think. The regeneration is definitely gross, but he hasn't gone down yet...only healed from M and lower wounds so far...like 9 times... Socially is a problem too, he is trying to keep it secret from the rest of the PCs, one has so far found out(the mage) |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:51 AM
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#16
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
Could be. Make him addicted to a vampire's bite, so, even though he's a vampire, he needs it every few days to keep from getting a Mental wound from lack of his addiction-feed.
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Dec 1 2003, 04:52 AM
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#17
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Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
They sure can in my games, and every other game I've played where there are Vampires present. It is just silly to think that you could put a PAC round through the thing's chest and it'd shake it off, but it couldn't stand up to a punch. |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:52 AM
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#18
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,065 Joined: 16-January 03 From: Fayetteville, NC Member No.: 3,916 |
The best of both worlds, beat them into unconsciousness and then hack them into pieces. Incinerate the individual pieces and mix the ashes of each individual piece into a brick of still-wet concrete. If the vamp's gonna regenerate from that, at least he's gonna have to work for it. Of course, he'll be _really_ pissed if he does... -Siege |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:56 AM
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#19
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
Emphasis mine. It says specifically dies, not falls unconscious or anything close to that. Regeneration only works if the damage is Physical. Nothing Magical can heal stun, correct? Regeneration is Magical. |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:57 AM
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#20
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,353 Joined: 5-June 02 Member No.: 2,840 |
Anybody notice the reference to "John Carpenter's Vampires" on page 69 of that issue of NAGEE?
Not calling anyone out or anything, I just thought it was kind of cool. |
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Dec 1 2003, 04:58 AM
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#21
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,047 Joined: 12-November 03 From: Perilously close to the Sioux Nation. Member No.: 5,818 |
It seems odd for a guy with your nick to post in a thread about vampires without ranting...
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Dec 1 2003, 04:59 AM
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#22
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 124 Joined: 21-November 03 Member No.: 5,837 |
I was thinking the same thing....especially given his SIG and all...
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Dec 1 2003, 07:06 AM
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#23
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Immortal Elf Group: Validating Posts: 7,999 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,890 |
Critters, pp 13-14, Regeneration: "For any other result [*], the creature suffers the standard damage penalties [**] for the Combat Turn in which damage [***] was inflicted, but the damage vanishes at the beginning of the next Combat Turn." * "For any other result" means exactly that. Whether they had to make the test upon receiving Deadly Physical damage or not, the rest of the statement kicks in. The sole exception is when they *do* suffer Deadly Physical damage and would normally die, in which case they have to roll 1D6 to see if they actually do. ** If it only applied when reaching Deadly Physical damage, this portion of the rule would make no sense, as they would be out of the picture anyway. On the Condition Monitor, Deadly has no wound penalties. You're simply unconscious. *** The rule makes no comments stating that it only applies to Physical Damage. If it did, they would most certainly have said so as they do in all other cases, such as page 13 of Critters under "Possession." |
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Dec 1 2003, 07:11 AM
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#24
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Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
Thanks Doc. :)
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Dec 1 2003, 02:15 PM
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#25
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
I take Regeneration as applying to only Physical mainly due to this. The rulebooks are very slinky about whether or not Regeneration works with Deadly Stun. Myself and those I play with have always taken it as Physical only. |
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