Re: Question on affinities (subject title changed)

From: simon_hibbs2 <simon.hibbs_at_...>
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 13:06:47 -0000

> On Mon, Jul 28, 2003 at 05:01:36PM -0000, simon_hibbs2 wrote:
> > Have a look at the 'levels of vicotry' table and decide whether
> > a particular task might require a marginal, minor, major or
> > complete victory.
>
> Personally I think this is a dubious practice. In HW, it's outright
> buggy, in fact: it introduces all sorts of statistical anomalies,
> as you're potentially relying on your opponent having to fail or
> fumble, regardless of how well you do yourself. (In HQ, bump-downs
> will largely fix this.)

I suppose it depends on what you are trying to achieve. For example in my game, one character was trying to persuade a Troll acquantance to whom said troll had sold a valuable artifact. I ruled that since the transaction was made in confidence, he'd have to get a Complete Victory for the Troll to actualy give him name, address, etc of the person with the goods. Lesser levels of succes would give progressively more obscure levels of co-operation from the troll. The character achieved a Major Success, and the troll agreed to send a message to the owner of the artifact, who it turns out was easily followed by one of the adventurers.

I think it's perfectly reasonable to require a certain level of success in order to get exactly the effect the player wants. In some cases I'd give a player everything they wanted on a Marginal success, in others I don't.

Simon Hibbs