[Ally] as "skill" roll?

Apollonian · 01-10-2011, 01:02 PM

For my next GURPS campaign, I'm thinking about doing the Ally (and Patron, etc.) advantages a bit differently: Instead of rolling for availability at the beginning of each session, a character rolls for his Ally's availability whenever he wants said Ally to do something for him, whether that's running a license plate or tagging along as a bodyguard. Modifiers may apply depending on the situation, and the player can try to adjust modifiers a bit by making other skill rolls.

Has anyone else done something similar? I'm trying to think of potential pitfalls to this; the advantage would be bringing allies etc. into game play more organically, rather than checking at the beginning of the session and then coming up with a reason why Bob the Bodyguard is not, in fact, guarding the body.

Psychotime · 01-10-2011, 01:11 PM

I was thinking of doing something like this, too. Not sure how to go about it, though.

Veton · 01-10-2011, 01:42 PM

Personally I roll to see if the ally is available each adventure rather then session, it avoids that problem. I might require another roll if long periods of time pass in the adventure though, although that's never really come up for me.

The Benj · 01-16-2011, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veton

Personally I roll to see if the ally is available each adventure rather then session, it avoids that problem. I might require another roll if long periods of time pass in the adventure though, although that's never really come up for me.

That is what the rules say to do, so...

benz72 · 01-16-2011, 05:38 AM

I just keep track of their availability over time and make sure it is correct. Individual adventures get decided by GM fiat, not chance. So lang as the numbers add up in the end I see it as a fair system that makes the story
better and doesn't require as much storyline gymnastics.
Essentially this means that the first session they get for free and at some reasonable break point the Ally will become unavailable. I generally let the story dictate the reason (and therefore the timing) of that non-availability. (You got your bodyguard shot by heading to the gang-ruled slum at 3AM in a mercades, sorry, he's still in the hospital).
So far no complaints... but maybe I just have a tendancy to pick very reasonable players...

01-10-2011, 01:02 PM	#1
Apollonian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Shoreline, WA (north of Seattle)	[Ally] as "skill" roll? For my next GURPS campaign, I'm thinking about doing the Ally (and Patron, etc.) advantages a bit differently: Instead of rolling for availability at the beginning of each session, a character rolls for his Ally's availability whenever he wants said Ally to do something for him, whether that's running a license plate or tagging along as a bodyguard. Modifiers may apply depending on the situation, and the player can try to adjust modifiers a bit by making other skill rolls. Has anyone else done something similar? I'm trying to think of potential pitfalls to this; the advantage would be bringing allies etc. into game play more organically, rather than checking at the beginning of the session and then coming up with a reason why Bob the Bodyguard is not, in fact, guarding the body.

01-10-2011, 01:11 PM	#2
Psychotime Join Date: Jun 2009	Re: [Ally] as "skill" roll? I was thinking of doing something like this, too. Not sure how to go about it, though. __________________ Who is this kid? [link]

01-10-2011, 01:42 PM	#3
Veton Join Date: May 2006	Re: [Ally] as "skill" roll? Personally I roll to see if the ally is available each adventure rather then session, it avoids that problem. I might require another roll if long periods of time pass in the adventure though, although that's never really come up for me.

01-16-2011, 05:38 AM	#5
benz72 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chagrin Falls	Re: [Ally] as "skill" roll? I just keep track of their availability over time and make sure it is correct. Individual adventures get decided by GM fiat, not chance. So lang as the numbers add up in the end I see it as a fair system that makes the story better and doesn't require as much storyline gymnastics. Essentially this means that the first session they get for free and at some reasonable break point the Ally will become unavailable. I generally let the story dictate the reason (and therefore the timing) of that non-availability. (You got your bodyguard shot by heading to the gang-ruled slum at 3AM in a mercades, sorry, he's still in the hospital). So far no complaints... but maybe I just have a tendancy to pick very reasonable players... __________________ Benundefined Life has a funny way of making sure you decide to leave the party just a few minutes too late to avoid trouble.