Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post

Phil Masters · 12-24-2017, 05:28 AM

By the way - I'm now wondering if Bully, as described, is under-valued. It's a -10 point disadvantage (at Self-Control 12) which, taking the description literally, generates automatic -2 reactions for the character. An Odious Personal Habit that generates the same penalty is also worth -10 points -- but Bully also involves the danger that you'll try it on with someone you really shouldn't, which could be downright life-threatening at times.

A more sensible, less literal reading of the text might say that you only get the -2 reactions from people who've seen you being a jerk, so they don't kick on on first encounters and you can try self-control to avoid them. ("You need a favour from the Earl of Foo. Rumour is, he's a nice person. Try not to be a jerk.") However, I've always had the sense that Odious Personal Habit penalties also shouldn't kick in until the NPC has had a chance to observe the odiousness in action...

12-24-2017, 05:28 AM	#45
Phil Masters Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: U.K.	Re: [Basic] Disadvantage of the week: Bully By the way - I'm now wondering if Bully, as described, is under-valued. It's a -10 point disadvantage (at Self-Control 12) which, taking the description literally, generates automatic -2 reactions for the character. An Odious Personal Habit that generates the same penalty is also worth -10 points -- but Bully also involves the danger that you'll try it on with someone you really shouldn't, which could be downright life-threatening at times. A more sensible, less literal reading of the text might say that you only get the -2 reactions from people who've seen you being a jerk, so they don't kick on on first encounters and you can try self-control to avoid them. ("You need a favour from the Earl of Foo. Rumour is, he's a nice person. Try not to be a jerk.") However, I've always had the sense that Odious Personal Habit penalties also shouldn't kick in until the NPC has had a chance to observe the odiousness in action... __________________ -- Phil Masters My Home Page. My Self-Publications: On Warehouse 23 and On DriveThruRPG.