Re: [BNW] Combat tips?

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

The White Crow wrote:

> Perhaps you could add a rule that allows for Dodging and acting on the same
> phase, if you like.  Make it a Trick--an extra success, and you can act as
> well.  That would add a cinematic feel.

Oh, I'm not saying I _want_ a cinematic feel.  I had aimed for one at first, but
now I feel that such a style isn't quite right for BNW.  And that's not a bad
thing; different games (and genres) have different styles.

I'm thinking more about how to work effectively with the grittier, less cinematic
style that I see the default rules providing.

> I thought you could move and act at the same time.

You're right, I'm wrong.  Whoops.

> >- 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.
>
> ???  That's no different from any other rules system I've seen.

Well, most of the games I'm familiar with give one action in a turn, taken in
descending order.  Some variation on this seems to be the standard for
initiative.
With BNW, almost everyone gets multiple actions, and those action are spread
across the turn.  So if a character rolls high, they still get have to go act,
wait, act, wait, act, act, act (or similar).  You have to keep going back and
forth, back and forth, through the list of combatants.
I get a different feel from that than from most other games I have.

> I always forget about the darn stun rules.  This is a rule meant to
> simulate realism. If you want more cinematics, why not ditch the rule, or
> allow something to modify it (that already doesn't)?

As I said, I'm not _complaining_ that the game isn't cinematic.  I don't mind a
non-cinematic game.  I'm just trying to point out the reasons I think it's less
cinematic.

> >- Wound penalties are a bastard for those with lower skill levels.
>
> I don't use wound penalties.  I don't like them in game systems--they
> create a nasty downward spiral.  A lucky shot not only nearly kills your
> char, but you also are useless for the rest of the battle.

Wounds and stun are looking too dangerous, I must admit.  Actually, the penalties
aren't so bad - more the fact that for two of my PCs, they can only take 2 wounds
to a location before going down.  Our gunner blew all his delta points in the
first few rounds of the action, just on reducing his wounds to a managable level
(rather than be knocked out of the fight).

> Or perhpas allow players to
> take a penalty to attacks in that round equal to a bonus they'd apply to
> init.  (Perhaps that idea could work in some form...).

That's... quite interesting.  Sort of a 'snapshot' thing.  I'll have to think
about it.

> Notecards are your friend.  Trust me on this.  One for each enemy or group
> of thugs...put them in order, and away you go.

Another good idea!  I use index cards for various notes, so I've got a pile on
hand.  I like it!

--
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