Generally, no. Firstly I reckon that the fact that the ability is
used as an assist means that it doesn't have to be as appropriate as
the primary ability.
Secondly it is probably more work than it is worth. Individual
Augments don't have a huge effect - or if they do then improv
modifers won't have much effect.
If there really are a whole lot of questionable augments just
disallowing some of them is probably good enough and simpler than
assessing a modifier on each.
That's not to say that I would never do it but it would be unusual.
The magic modifiers for the "wrong otherworld" and such are an exception. They really should be applied to augments.
>
> For instance, the PC is trying to convince a Lunar policeman that
>what he's doing really
>isn't against the law. He's got *Convince Anyone* at 5W and "Dara
>Happan Law" at 17. I
>say Dara Happan law isn't quite the same as Lunar Law, so dock him a
>-5 improve
>penalty, which means his augment is only +1. Does that make sense?
The principle is sound, but of course the number depends on how much Lunar Law resembles Dara Happan Law (there's a very good article published in Moon Rites). And I'm not sure that Dara Happan Law is very helpful for avoiding arrest :-(
>
> Or in a fight, our brave hero picks up a club-like stick to protect
>himself against a sword
>and shield wielding opponent. The PC has Sword and Shield fighting
>5W and Agile 19.
>So what does he use to resist? Sword and Shielf with a -10 improv
>because he's got no
>shield or sword, augmented by his Agile? Or Agile, augmented with
>his Sword and
>Shield fighting (because it will let him know the attack style of
>his opponent, who is also
>using sword and shield?) Should Agile get an improv modifier in a
>sword fight?
With most abilities it depends on what the character is trying to do. Dodging a sword blow probably wouldn't get much of a modifier, if any. I don't think I would allow an equipment modifier from the stick - using that significantly seems more like fighting than "pure" agility.
OTOH I'd think the fact that the opponent is using sword-and-shield is enough to allow the full value of Close Combat: Sword and Shield as an augment.
>
>I'm currently thinking that in an extended contest, I'd have no
>problems with him using
>Agile at full, augmented by sword and shield (with improv modifier)
>to resist the
>opponent's attack, but I'm not convinced he gets to use it actively
>on his round. (I'm
>assuming his goal is to hurt his opponent here, not get past or
>escape from him.)
I'd definitely agree with that. Attacking would get a hefty improv modifier.
-- -- "The T'ang emperors were strong believers in the pills of immortality. More emperors died of poisoning from ingesting minerals in the T'ang than in any other dynasty" - Eva Wong _The Shambhala Guide to Taoism_ Paul K.
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