Will Angmar's ability remain the same? Well the target number will.
I hope to have a stab at clarifying the ideas, in response to your last two paragraphs but I can't do it now.
But a passing shot:
Pass/fail cycle is like keeping a tally so you don't run an unbalanced game. The base resistance starts at 14 when you start your series of sessions and increases a point every three sessions. If you play with starting abilities above the ones laid out in the rules then I'd suggest you start your base resistance at a higher level too. What do other people think?
From: HeroQuest-rules_at_yahoogroups.com
[mailto:HeroQuest-rules_at_yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tim Ellis
Sent: 06 March 2009 13:17
To: HeroQuest-rules_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Relative resistances and narrow/broad
abilities
An excellent example that was far more use than talking about Harrek or Lancelot - thanks...
> Angmar is known for mercilessly carrying out his 'retirements' and
> is reputed to have even slain a Chalana Arroy devotee in an unlit
> alley in Alone, northern Sartar. The narrator has no trouble
> knowing that Angmar's reputation denotes a difficulty of Hard.
OK. and "Hard" means add 9 to the base resistance, which is *NOT* the same as the ability being used. So whether Broddi tries to weasel out with his pitiful 17, fight him off with his dirty fighting 12, or unleash his previously hidden Guardian Shade (Fearshock 5W), Angmar's ability will remain the same.
>
> The reason for the Hard resistance was initially inspired by the
> Pass/Fail Cycle.
This is also fine.
> The heroes had had a string of victories and the narrator knew it
> was time for a bit more adversity, so she used the character
> Angmar who could provide a Hard resistance, in keeping with the
> story.
>
I'm not completly convinced about this though. The "Hard" comes from the Pass/Fail cycle and the base resistance comes from something external to both Angmar and Broddi, so I struggle to see why Angmar can only be used now, and how this is any different from saying (in a benchmarked sceneario" Angmar (Merciless 5W). If that isn't the resistance you want then you use another character, or amend the skill level (which is what I thought the point of the P/F cycle)
The "advantage" of this method is that whether my players are freshly initiated novices, experienced clan champions, or Argrath level heroes they can still bump into Angmar the Merciless and he will prove a hard opponent. The disadvantage is that there are people who are hard opponents for Argrath level heroes, but novices shouldn't be expected to compete with them!
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