Re: [BNW] Combat tips?

["Patrick O'Duffy" <redfern@thehub.com.au>]

Theo McGuckin wrote:

> Our combats in BNW were always fairly exciting and John Woo-ish. But that
> is probably a lot because we inject that feel.

We're certainly all inclined for the John Woo feel.  But there are things in the
way, such as:

- You have to spend an action dodging, rather than (Champions style) be
intrinsically harder to hit.
- You need to spend actions on things like moving, jumping or getting into a
good position.
- You have to stagger your actions along with everyone else's; without the First
Move trick (and plenty of successes), you can't get in a decisive first hit.
- It's very easy to get stunned, especially for those with just 2 Strength (2 of
my PCs) and lose actions.
- It's bloody hard to make a dent in anyone with a high Strength, reg or delta.
They take the hit, but don't fall down.
- Wound penalties are a bastard for those with lower skill levels.
- Initiative is very random; you can go first with 5 actions one round, go last
with one action the next.

None of these things are bad per se - but I think they encourage a certain style
of combat.

> This stops you from having to either jot down everyone's init. (a pain in
> larger groups) or count down from 30 because Al got a really good roll
> that time.

I'm more inclined to jot - but I also only have four players.
On the other hand, I'm seeing that large groups - more than 3 or 4 a side - are
a big problem.  I'm certainly going to avoid using thugs/extras for a while.

> I like using miniatures, but often find them impractical (super-hero
> minis are hard to find). Most of the time we use a white board. People's
> positions are marked with the letter of their first name. Bad guys are
> usually numbered unless the players know them, then initials are used.
> This is fun because you can keep track of things and also do fun things
> like erase a wall when it gets blown out by a bomber or scratch a bunch of
> crazy lines through a loft that's been knocked over by the goliath.

I like that idea, I must admit.  It also means the players can help keep track
of things like initiative and actions.

> I think you're missing the word "find" in your .sig file there slick.

Whoops!  That'll teach me to type late at night.  Thanks!

--
Patrick O'Duffy, Brisbane, Australia

I want to eat a swan.  Is that wrong of me?  I can't find anyone who'll
sell me a swanburger.

 - Spider Jerusalem, TRANSMETROPOLITAN: I HATE IT HERE