 Hypnotic Song quick question |
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 Jun 5 2004, 05:06 AM
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#1
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Moving Target  Group: Members Posts: 265 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Bangkok (sometimes Paris) Member No.: 332  |
The Hypnotic Song power is described as an (Essence)M attack that takes effect is the "damage" reaches Deadly. My problem is that I don't know what dice the critter use to use the power. Does it roll dice equal to its Essence or another stat? Is there any dice pool that can be used?
Thanks for your help. Mike |
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Jun 5 2004, 11:56 AM
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#2
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Target Group: Members Posts: 67 Joined: 11-March 03 Member No.: 4,238 |
Reading the description and contrasting it to other power descriptions in Critters, it would appear that it simply does (Essence)M damage (resisted by willpower)- with no rolls taken by the critter.
In other power descriptions, you are told what the critter should roll to use the power, but in this one it simply gives you the power+damage code, so I'd just go with that personally. Of course, you could give in to the 'house rule' syndrome and decide that it actually uses charisma, with a complementary knowledge skill: Cookery for the young troll about the house. |
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Jun 5 2004, 12:36 PM
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#3
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Prime Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,577 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Gwynedd Valley PA Member No.: 1,221 |
I agree, usually it's essence for those powers that are not directly related to the muscle power of the critter.
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Jun 6 2004, 02:33 AM
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#4
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 265 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Bangkok (sometimes Paris) Member No.: 332 |
The problem is, if the critter rolls no die, how can the damage be staged up to Deadly or more, if it starts at Moderate and only the target can roll dice to resist (and likely stage it down to nothing). And as it's written that the power paralyze the victim only if there is "Deadly" damages, that would mean that even with no success at the resistance test, the victim is not affected.
Using Charisma doesn't do the trick as most critters have a low Charisma. Essence would be better. Anyway, as it is described, this power is utterly useless. |
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Jun 6 2004, 02:48 AM
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#5
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 665 Joined: 20-November 03 Member No.: 5,834 |
Actually I believe all critters that aren't sentient (like Centaurs and Blackberry Cats) have no Charisma at all.
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Jun 6 2004, 02:48 AM
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#6
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 282 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 197 |
You could track "virtual damage" inflicted by the song, paralyzing the player when it reaches Deadly, but that's probably too much effort.
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Jun 6 2004, 03:37 AM
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#7
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 614 Joined: 17-June 03 From: A safehouse about to be compromised by ninjas Member No.: 4,754 |
It doesnt have to do deadly in one go to paralyze someone.
Its a hypnotic song, like the ones sirens sing in the greek myth to the sailors... you know the oddessy? Longer youre exposed the more it gets to you, until you hit unconcious. The rules given work fine to simulate that. The critter doesnt have to roll anything, just hit the players with it each turn and let the damage stack up. Characters immune due to high will would be a lot like Odessyus, able to shake it off. |
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Jun 6 2004, 03:49 AM
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#8
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,066 Joined: 5-February 03 Member No.: 4,017 |
I don't see many shadowrunners ordering their companions to tie them to the mast... I still don't understand why he insisted on hearing it when ordering the redshirts to go deaf for a while. |
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Jun 6 2004, 04:17 AM
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#9
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 214 Joined: 8-June 03 Member No.: 4,696 |
Curiousity.
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Jun 6 2004, 04:18 AM
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#10
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 973 Joined: 3-October 03 Member No.: 5,677 |
Killed the Cat Shaman. ;) :D
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Jun 6 2004, 09:39 AM
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#11
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 265 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Bangkok (sometimes Paris) Member No.: 332 |
Wrong. It's written only when it reaches deadly it becomes paralyzing. But I would agree that the damage may give the same effect as any others, and provoke the TN and Init penalties.
Well, thank you, I'm familiar with that...
The problem I have with that is that you have to keep separate track of the Hypnotic Song damage from the real Stun damage. Secondly, if not incapacited since the first HS attack, I doubt the critter would have a chance to try again, as everyone will start shooting at it. With luck, it would need at least 4 attacks to paralyze its victim and eventually physically attack. But as soon as the song stops, the effect stops too. And personally, as a GM, I would not allow a critter to use HS at the same time as a physical attack. As it stands, it still looks as a pretty useless power, that can be effective in few situation (all targets with low Willpower, at least 4 actions before they can reach the singer in any way, and no ear-plugs...) |
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Jun 6 2004, 09:43 AM
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#12
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 475 Joined: 17-June 02 From: Concord University, Athens, WV Member No.: 2,880 |
I believe it was so he could tell when the ship was past them, and thus out of immediate danger. |
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