Steve Jackson Games - Site Navigation
Home General Info Follow Us Search Illuminator Store Forums What's New Other Games Ogre GURPS Munchkin Our Games: Home

Go Back   Steve Jackson Games Forums > Roleplaying > GURPS

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-01-2013, 04:01 PM   #1
apoc527
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Default 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!
__________________
-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
apoc527 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2013, 04:04 PM   #2
Anthony
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
Default 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.
Anthony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2013, 04:05 PM   #3
sir_pudding
Wielder of Smart Pants
 
sir_pudding's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
Default 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.
sir_pudding is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2013, 04:11 PM   #4
apoc527
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Default Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony View Post
Allies are priced based on the assumption of the GM randomly screwing you with the NPCness of the ally.
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.
__________________
-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
apoc527 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2013, 04:12 PM   #5
apoc527
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Default Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sir_pudding View Post
Somebody could just bring in a new PC for free and play the bodyguard.
Right, but we have a full party, and all the players already have their own PCs. Assume that no more PCs will be brought in.

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
apoc527 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2013, 04:14 PM   #6
David Johnston2
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Default Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?

Quote:
Originally Posted by apoc527 View Post
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?
And I'm sure the GM is grateful that the player handed it a character that overshadows the player's own.
David Johnston2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2013, 04:16 PM   #7
ericthered
Hero of Democracy
 
ericthered's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: far from the ocean
Default Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?

Quote:
Originally Posted by apoc527 View Post
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.
If the GM allows you to control what the Ally does, Its totally broken.

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".
__________________
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!
ericthered is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2013, 04:19 PM   #8
Anaraxes
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Default 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.
Anaraxes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2013, 04:24 PM   #9
the_matrix_walker
 
the_matrix_walker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lynn, MA
Default 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.
the_matrix_walker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2013, 04:28 PM   #10
David Johnston2
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Default Re: Are Allies completely broken in terms of being way too good?

Quote:
Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker View Post
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.
Of course the Ally could just be the PC's giant robot or talking car.
David Johnston2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Fnords are Off
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.