Playing the Adversary; how's it worked for you?

[buzz]

p.B493 talks about "Playing the Adversary", i.e., having a player take on the role of what would otherwise be an NPC acting as an antagonist. I'm running a G4e event at Chicago Gameday next week and was thinking of having one or more of the players take on this role. I'm thinking this might be a fun change of pace for a con event, as well as taking a bit of the load off of me as GM.

Anyone have any experience with this? I'm curious to hear any positive or negative experiences anyone has had with this technique.

FWIW, I've played played games with enjoyable PvP before (e.g., Burning Wheel), but wasn't sure how GURPS fared in this regard.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by buzz

p.B493 talks about "Playing the Adversary", i.e., having a player take on the role of what would otherwise be an NPC acting as an antagonist. I'm running a G4e event at Chicago Gameday next week and was thinking of having one or more of the players take on this role. I'm thinking this might be a fun change of pace for a con event, as well as taking a bit of the load off of me as GM.

Anyone have any experience with this? I'm curious to hear any positive or negative experiences anyone has had with this technique.

FWIW, I've played played games with enjoyable PvP before (e.g., Burning Wheel), but wasn't sure how GURPS fared in this regard.

Depending on the number of my players at the time I usually don't need a active adversary, I run games just fine for 4-5 players. That said, games with players over 6 usually require a Adversary (for me at least).

Just a note, don't consider it PvP that way lies madness, the Adversary is a useful tool that allows you as the GM to expand the depth of your games, after all arguing with another person is far more fun that arguing with yourself. At least I've always viewed it that way. The Adversary is the co-GM, the Robin to your Batman, Tonto to your Lone Ranger. They need to know just as much about running a game as you do.

Ghostdancer

[buzz]

Originally Posted by Ghostdancer

Depending on the number of my players at the time I usually don't need a active adversary, I run games just fine for 4-5 players. That said, games with players over 6 usually require a Adversary (for me at least).

This event has six players; I was going to have one of them play Adversary (maybe two, based on this discussion). None of these people are active GURPS players, though a few played it back in the day.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by buzz

This event has six players; I was going to have one of them play Adversary (maybe two, based on this discussion). None of these people are active GURPS players, though a few played it back in the day.

You *can* use standby's as Adversary(s), I've even used someone who knew nothing about GURPS for this, it's okay for short-term campaigns but for long-term ones you really want someone who is familiar with the rules. Get them a cheat sheet of some kind if you can, or try to get them to at least glance over the Basic Set.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Ghostdancer

You *can* use standby's as Adversary(s)

You can even use active players if you've split the party. Especially for fodder NPCs.

[buzz]

I'm running "Orbital Decay", and was planning to have the Adversary play Madison Haley, the corporate stooge sent to supervise the freelance team.

Aside: I know a lot of people are not fond of this product, but I actually think it's a good scenario, especially for a one-shot. Ergo, please let's not get derailed talking abut the merits of this product. Thanks in advance.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

You can even use active players if you've split the party. Especially for fodder NPCs.

Yeah, that's good too, I've done that before as well.

Originally Posted by buzz

I'm running "Orbital Decay", and was planning to have the Adversary play Madison Haley, the corporate stooge sent to supervise the freelance team.

Aside: I know a lot of people are not fond of this product, but I actually think it's a good scenario, especially for a one-shot. Ergo, please let's not get derailed talking abut the merits of this product. Thanks in advance.

I *like* Orbital Decay, and really its perfect for con's or one-shots.

Ghostdancer

[buzz]

Originally Posted by Ghostdancer

I *like* Orbital Decay, and really its perfect for con's or one-shots.

You are gentleman, sir.

So, how do you handle social skills an Adversary uses against a PC, or vice-versa? E.g., Haley has high level soy skill alike Fast Talk, Intimidation, etc. Are we just relying on p. B359, "Influencing the PCs"?

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by buzz

You are gentleman, sir.

So, how do you handle social skills an Adversary uses against a PC, or vice-versa? E.g., Haley has high level soy skill alike Fast Talk, Intimidation, etc. Are we just relying on p. B359, "Influencing the PCs"?

Best to treat NPC's as NPC's and leave it at that. I would look at Social Engineering if you can and use some of the rules from there, especially the the Expanded Influence rolls (p. 31), influencing PCs (p.32), and Expanded Reaction Tables (p. 74) if you use nothing else from that book those rules alone will enhance your game 10x fold. And if you don't have the book its worth every penny so I suggest you pick it up.

Remember Haley is a *slime bag* don't be afraid to have your Adversary play him that way. Suggest that he watch Aliens and pay careful attention to how Burke acts, talks, etc. I've always envisioned him as such.

Ghostdancer

[buzz]

Originally Posted by Ghostdancer

Best to treat NPC's as NPC's and leave it at that. I would look at Social Engineering if you can and use some of the rules from there, especially the the Expanded Influence rolls (p. 31), influencing PCs (p.32), and Expanded Reaction Tables (p. 74) if you use nothing else from that book those rules alone will enhance your game 10x fold. And if you don't have the book its worth every penny so I suggest you pick it up.

Remember Haley is a *slime bag* don't be afraid to have your Adversary play him that way. Suggest that he watch Aliens and pay careful attention to how Burke acts, talks, etc. I've always envisioned him as such.

Cool; I actually do own Social Engineering, so I'll definitely look at that.

And I can totally see Haley saying some of Burke's lines, e.g., "This installation has a significant dollar value!"

Thanks for the tips, Ghostdancer.