The Unseen Servant forums

Looking at the mission, we have a lot of strategising to do...Do we want to do that in this side-chatter topic, in the "Action" topic or in a new topic?

BackworldTraveller wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:18 pm Do we get to roll on the contact table?

I assume that that table is part of the mission generator

Wow a lot is happening here!

Lance got the intent of the skills upgrades: specialty, then form, then one more. Where it says "two skills once" that means once each, not the same skill twice.

Yes, netmage gets glitch + machine speech at d6 two ways as it is right now, so maybe I should change neural interface to "upgrade" those spells instead. Will do a rules update this evening and post to thread.

I'd prefer you do your i/c strategy in the action thread ...

Would androids not get the equivalent of Machine Speech? I assume it allows communication with electronic devices.

Still don't know - do we get to spend our cash before we start or just during the game?
And spending seems skill related...How does that work if pre-game?

You can spend your cash before the game if you like, most gear is 1C unless otherwise listed. Instead of "good stuff" it would have been clearer if I wrote "illegal stuff" - one more rules update forthcoming (sigh my fault).

If you roll 4- on a Connections or Deception roll before play even starts, that just means you have some background trouble that might come out to play with you. If you roll 1-2 you don't get the gear, if you roll 3+ you do.

no worries about the rules updates, it's all cool

So how does enhanced reflexes work? I assume I state I'm activating it (like the hasten spell?) and then roll a d8 to see if it is successful, and if it is it improves my initiative in some way? How often do I get to use it and how long does it last?

Enhanced reflexes actually is an automatic help for physical activities (especially combat, but anything else where reflexes might be relevant). So you always roll an extra d8 there.

The spell for Hasten is a little riskier bc if you get a 1-2 on the roll the target is temporarily paralyzed ... if you succeed they get an extra d6 to physical actions requiring reflexes/coordination, until the spell wears off.

Might is simlar, except for feats of strength.

Thanks!

It might then make sense to sticky the current 'active' game threat so it always stays at the top of the topics list.

I'm still finalizing my skill selection. A lot of the skills seem to overlap a little. For example, hacking into a mainframe could be either Coding or Exploits. Do you have a rule-of-thumb as to when you'd use which one? Also, is the skill Anonymity for kind of general anonymity (e.g. both walking through a crowd unnoticed and sneaking past internet trackers)? (Same question applies to skills like Exploit and so on.)

If you have a reason why a skill applies, explain it briefly and use the skill.

You can exploit tax loopholes too The skills are generic for a reason

In a game that may have a lot of decisions that depend on interpersonal information, I would usually presume open communication between your characters, where whenever any of you know or learn something, it is immediately available to the troupe.

That approach shuts down two avenues for drama:
double crossing; and
faulty / partial information.

It also reduces the potential for frustration when you realize that you forgot to tell a team-mate something.

If anyone wants to have info known only to your particular character divulged in a private forum, rather than out in the main thread, please let me know.

How are you all feeling about the dice mechanics for this game?

tibbius wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:19 pm How are you all feeling about the dice mechanics for this game?

Warm and fuzzy so far...less sure about the actual rolls though...all that wasted cash!
One question...can you improve your chances by using a careful approach. 50:50 isn't actually very good for many risks (e.g. Defuse Nuke)

BackworldTraveller wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:37 pm Warm and fuzzy so far...less sure about the actual rolls though...all that wasted cash!
One question...can you improve your chances by using a careful approach. 50:50 isn't actually very good for many risks (e.g. Defuse Nuke)

Yes, if you're helped by circumstances (e.g., a good plan) then you can roll an extra d6 and use the higher die. That improves your chances on d6+d8 to about 2/3 untainted success. Maybe if you want to defuse a nuke you should first upgrade Electronics further ... on d6+d12, for example, you would have 5/6 chance of success.

tibbius wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 6:57 pm

BackworldTraveller wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:37 pm Warm and fuzzy so far...less sure about the actual rolls though...all that wasted cash!
One question...can you improve your chances by using a careful approach. 50:50 isn't actually very good for many risks (e.g. Defuse Nuke)

Yes, if you're helped by circumstances (e.g., a good plan) then you can roll an extra d6 and use the higher die. That improves your chances on d6+d8 to about 2/3 untainted success. Maybe if you want to defuse a nuke you should first upgrade Electronics further ... on d6+d12, for example, you would have 5/6 chance of success.

Remind me never to cross a busy road!

Remember not everything needs a roll.

And "Disaster" isn't always harmful. Sometimes (like with Connections or Information) it's just a definitive "no."

It might sometimes also be false information, which I'll expect you to play along as if your character believes it.