Mitigated Terminal Illness [Basic/Horror]

AlexanderHowl · 09-24-2019, 11:27 AM

I was wondering if a Terminal Illness with the Mitigator limitation might be better for representing the traditional weaknesses of monsters like ghouls and vampires rather than Dependency and/or Draining. For example, a newly transformed vampire could have Terminal Illness (Two years; Mitigator, Human blood, Monthly, -70%) [-15], which is less painful and more beneficial than Dependency (Human blood, Monthly) [-10] or Draining (Human blood) [-10]. Older vampires might have a worse Terminal Illness (representing cumulative missed treatments) or more frequent Mitigator (representing a progressive condition). What do you think?

awesomenessofme1 · 09-24-2019, 11:33 AM

The issue is by RAW, there are zero progressive penalties for Terminally Ill. You're perfectly fine until the time limit runs out, and then you die. Everything past that is either simulated by other disads or chosen by GM fiat.

Anders · 09-24-2019, 11:45 AM

Terminally Ill is a terribly designed disadvantage. I would stay away from it.

Prince Charon · 09-24-2019, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anders

Terminally Ill is a terribly designed disadvantage. I would stay away from it.

How would you replace or rewrite it, if at all?

Anthony · 09-24-2019, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

How would you replace or rewrite it, if at all?

I wouldn't. It's one of these "I'm making a bet about how long the campaign is going to last" disadvantages, and those really shouldn't exist.

Mysterious Dark Lord v3.2 · 09-24-2019, 02:30 PM

Dependency and Draining are not designed for game balance, they are intended for drama. The ticking clock, the mounting desperation as one's time limit counts down, the swirling sands draining ... all very dramatic.

But Terminally Ill? "On, I'll just check this off on the calendar, make some plans. No need to get frantic right now." All the mitigator actions can take place off-camera. It's a background detail, adding nothing to the drama of the play.

It's an artistic choice in the end, but Terminally Ill lacks the drama an RPG campaign needs.

Plane · 09-24-2019, 05:24 PM

I think you'd take Terminally Ill, then buy "Not Terminally Ill" with appropriate limitations like "required disadvantage" or "temporary disadvantage"

AlexanderHowl · 09-24-2019, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plane

I think you'd take Terminally Ill, then buy "Not Terminally Ill" with appropriate limitations like "required disadvantage" or "temporary disadvantage"

No, Mitigator is a disadvantage only limitation, so it is a legal build. Any disadvantage can be moderated by Mitigator.

Flyndaran · 09-24-2019, 06:57 PM

Ultra Tech has Mitigator on Terminal Illness for cybernetic vital organs. The fact that it should be instant death is glossed over with its only using the 1 month level, IIRC.

David Johnston2 · 09-24-2019, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Ultra Tech has Mitigator on Terminal Illness for cybernetic vital organs. The fact that it should be instant death is glossed over with its only using the 1 month level, IIRC.

One month isn't the minimum. It's the maximum.

09-24-2019, 11:27 AM	#1
AlexanderHowl Join Date: Feb 2016	Mitigated Terminal Illness [Basic/Horror] I was wondering if a Terminal Illness with the Mitigator limitation might be better for representing the traditional weaknesses of monsters like ghouls and vampires rather than Dependency and/or Draining. For example, a newly transformed vampire could have Terminal Illness (Two years; Mitigator, Human blood, Monthly, -70%) [-15], which is less painful and more beneficial than Dependency (Human blood, Monthly) [-10] or Draining (Human blood) [-10]. Older vampires might have a worse Terminal Illness (representing cumulative missed treatments) or more frequent Mitigator (representing a progressive condition). What do you think?

09-24-2019, 11:33 AM	#2
awesomenessofme1 Join Date: Mar 2016	Re: Mitigated Terminal Illness [Basic/Horror] The issue is by RAW, there are zero progressive penalties for Terminally Ill. You're perfectly fine until the time limit runs out, and then you die. Everything past that is either simulated by other disads or chosen by GM fiat.

09-24-2019, 11:45 AM	#3
Anders Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Re: Mitigated Terminal Illness [Basic/Horror] Terminally Ill is a terribly designed disadvantage. I would stay away from it. __________________ “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius

09-24-2019, 02:30 PM	#6
Mysterious Dark Lord v3.2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The deep dark haunted woods	Re: Mitigated Terminal Illness [Basic/Horror] Dependency and Draining are not designed for game balance, they are intended for drama. The ticking clock, the mounting desperation as one's time limit counts down, the swirling sands draining ... all very dramatic. But Terminally Ill? "On, I'll just check this off on the calendar, make some plans. No need to get frantic right now." All the mitigator actions can take place off-camera. It's a background detail, adding nothing to the drama of the play. It's an artistic choice in the end, but Terminally Ill lacks the drama an RPG campaign needs. __________________ "When you talk about damage radius, even atomic weapons pale before that of an unfettered idiot in a position of power." - Sam Starfall from the webcomic Freefall

09-24-2019, 05:24 PM	#7
Plane Join Date: Aug 2018	Re: Mitigated Terminal Illness [Basic/Horror] I think you'd take Terminally Ill, then buy "Not Terminally Ill" with appropriate limitations like "required disadvantage" or "temporary disadvantage"

09-24-2019, 06:57 PM	#9
Flyndaran Untagged Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon	Re: Mitigated Terminal Illness [Basic/Horror] Ultra Tech has Mitigator on Terminal Illness for cybernetic vital organs. The fact that it should be instant death is glossed over with its only using the 1 month level, IIRC. __________________ Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check.