05-01-2013, 04:01 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
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Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
Here's the situation:
300 point THS PCs. One person spends 40 points on a Constantly Available, 150% Ally. Did this person just get 450 points for 40 and now comes with a character who is just plain better than all the other NPCs? The question I have is whether this has ever been an issue in play for people. Obviously, there's lots more to an Ally than just 450 bonus points that only cost 40 actual points. But let's be practical: the Ally is always present, he's probably loyal, the PC is probably NOT going to betray or attack the Ally and the Ally will happily defend his friends in combat. So in what ways did the PC NOT just spawn a 450 point bodyguard, assuming the Ally is combat oriented (which he is, in this case)? Thoughts greatly appreciated!
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-apoc527 My Campaigns Currently Playing: GURPS Banestorm: The Symmetry of Darkness Inactive: Star*Drive: 2525-Hunting for Fun and Profit My THS Campaign-In the Shadows of Venus Yrth--The Legend Begins The XCOM Apocalypse |
05-01-2013, 04:04 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
Allies are priced based on the assumption of the GM randomly screwing you with the NPCness of the ally.
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05-01-2013, 04:05 PM | #3 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
Somebody could just bring in a new PC for free and play the bodyguard.
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05-01-2013, 04:11 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
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Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
So, what you are saying is that the GM pretty much has to muck around with the Ally as an NPC, otherwise, it really is totally broken.
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-apoc527 My Campaigns Currently Playing: GURPS Banestorm: The Symmetry of Darkness Inactive: Star*Drive: 2525-Hunting for Fun and Profit My THS Campaign-In the Shadows of Venus Yrth--The Legend Begins The XCOM Apocalypse |
05-01-2013, 04:12 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
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Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
Quote:
So far, it seems that Allies could be broken unless the GM screws around with them (which is almost unfair, but then again 40 points for 450 points is DEFINITELY unfair in the first place).
__________________
-apoc527 My Campaigns Currently Playing: GURPS Banestorm: The Symmetry of Darkness Inactive: Star*Drive: 2525-Hunting for Fun and Profit My THS Campaign-In the Shadows of Venus Yrth--The Legend Begins The XCOM Apocalypse |
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05-01-2013, 04:14 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
And I'm sure the GM is grateful that the player handed it a character that overshadows the player's own.
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05-01-2013, 04:16 PM | #7 | |
Hero of Democracy
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: far from the ocean
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Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
Quote:
If the ally is just a very friendly NPC who's partial to one player, Thats not too different from many "Guide" NPC's who serve as a condiut for the GM to say things like "I don't think the Blazen are infiltrating the local sausage guild".
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Be helpful, not pedantic Worlds Beyond Earth -- my blog Check out the PbP forum! If you don't see a game you'd like, ask me about making one! |
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05-01-2013, 04:19 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
I look forward to all the bards telling the tales of the new hero Enpeesee, along with of course his loyal if comic sidekick Peesee. The grateful kings will no doubt be showering riches and honor on their savior. And oh, probably a tidbit here and there for the rabble that follow him.
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05-01-2013, 04:24 PM | #9 |
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lynn, MA
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Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
It IS an NPC, the player doesn't get to control it, or write the character. The fact the the GM writes up the Ally with only some suggestions from the player is a major balancing factor that I see ignored all to often.
The NPC may be more open to his "ally's" request, but he'll be open to the others as well. The player with the Ally doesn't benefit from this powerful guy all much more than the others, and he paid the 40 points for him. Really you're paying for the privilege of having someone around who outclasses you all the time. |
05-01-2013, 04:28 PM | #10 | |
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?
Quote:
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