Femme Fu - Page 2

Icelander · 08-21-2015, 04:54 AM

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Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Don't you think pricing as skill-specific Technique is rather harsh compared to what can be bought for a similar price? Surely things like Sure-Footed (Uneven) [1] are way more point-worthy than being able to negate a penalty that you only inflict on yourself for æsthetic reasons? In fact, Exotic Weapon Training seems to deal with that sort of penalty for weird/inconvenient weapons. Or Shield Wall Training. And they're each [1].

Ironically, I've split up Shield Wall Training in my campaigns and I use Techniques in place of Exotic Weapon Training.

I agree that realistic settings might have harsh pricing for abilities which are cheap in cinematic ones, though. To take an example, compare the Extra Option Perk. In settings where it is allowed, characters can buy a wide range of abilities for 1 point each.

To take a random example, Bulletproof Nudity, which is +1 to +3 to Active Defences under certain conditions, usually fairly easy to arrange. Priced as Enhanced Defences with a Limitation, that's up to two orders of magnitude more expensive.

In games where the clothing of characters is a special effect, High-Heeled Heroine makes perfect sense as a Perk. In settings where points in trained abilities correlate on some level with the difficulty of learning them, however, training to perform atheletic feats in high-heels is prohibitively difficult and thus extremely expensive.

If it's a realistic setting, there's no requirement that things that are difficult to learn are necessarily all that useful. In a purely realistic TL8 setting, 24 points in Gunner (Catapult) are not necessarily a better investment for combat encounters than 4 points in Guns, 4 in Stealth and 4 points in Tactics.

vicky_molokh · 08-21-2015, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icelander

Ironically, I've split up Shield Wall Training in my campaigns and I use Techniques in place of Exotic Weapon Training.

I agree that realistic settings might have harsh pricing for abilities which are cheap in cinematic ones, though. To take an example, compare the Extra Option Perk. In settings where it is allowed, characters can buy a wide range of abilities for 1 point each.

To take a random example, Bulletproof Nudity, which is +1 to +3 to Active Defences under certain conditions, usually fairly easy to arrange. Priced as Enhanced Defences with a Limitation, that's up to two orders of magnitude more expensive.

In games where the clothing of characters is a special effect, High-Heeled Heroine makes perfect sense as a Perk. In settings where points in trained abilities correlate on some level with the difficulty of learning them, however, training to perform atheletic feats in high-heels is prohibitively difficult and thus extremely expensive.

If it's a realistic setting, there's no requirement that things that are difficult to learn are necessarily all that useful. In a purely realistic TL8 setting, 24 points in Gunner (Catapult) are not necessarily a better investment for combat encounters than 4 points in Guns, 4 in Stealth and 4 points in Tactics.

I deliberately picked non-cinematic advantages (perks). I suppose I could throw in OHWT too. Did you turn it back into a Technique in your games? Because (a) it is realistic and (b) it was turned into a Perk specifically because it was overpriced as a Technique.

Also, my protests against Extra Option: Bulletproff Nudity were precisely because it compares too well to normal Enhanced Defence prices.

In general, something needs to be Technique-priced if it's that much better than just buying up skill, point for point.

Wavefunction · 08-21-2015, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icelander

I agree that realistic settings might have harsh pricing for abilities which are cheap in cinematic ones, though. To take an example, compare the Extra Option Perk. In settings where it is allowed, characters can buy a wide range of abilities for 1 point each.

I tend to verge on things being priced for utility, I'd overhall the entire skills system to work on that basis if it wasn't a ridiculous amount of time to invest on something that works acceptably well as it stands.

For High-Heeled Heroine I'd simply disallow it in a realistic game, or allow a version that halves penalties instead of removing them. Or at least, that's what I'd do if the feedback I get is that it's completely unrealistic. As it stands it only removes penalties to attack and defend, it doesn't spontaneously allow walking on soft, muddy ground in heels with no problems, or other such effects. I know that there are a number of martial arts styles where the combatant spends most of their time on their toes, if someone specifically trained to fight in heels, I don't know how easy it would be to eliminate the penalty.

Sam Baughn · 08-21-2015, 05:12 AM

Some Femme Fatales seem to have weirdly tough and sharp nails. Possibly represent that with an Iron Body Parts perk which gives a bonus to lethal strikes? Not sure if it should be a skill bonus, a damage bonus or both. Also add Lethal Strike to the cinematic technique list.

Skill Adaptation to use an Intimidation move with Sex Appeal would make sense, but the only suitable combat uses for Intimidation which I can find rules for (Provoking an Attack and Distraction from Social Engineering) already allow you to use Sex Appeal.

Acting and Stealth seem like they should be optional skills. Being sneaky is a big part of the Femme Fatale personality.

Callous and Sadism should probably be on the optional Disadvantage list.

Not sure why Hammer Fist is on the list of techniques. Doesn't seem like an especially common move.

For a Xenia Onatopp style crushing thigh attack, maybe Special Exercises (Constriction Attack) might be appropriate?

Wavefunction · 08-21-2015, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Also, my protests against Extra Option: Bulletproff Nudity were precisely because it compares too well to normal Enhanced Defence prices.

In general, something needs to be Technique-priced if it's that much better than just buying up skill, point for point.

It is very cheap, but it might be valid in a campaign that's already pretty damn cinematic, and is only accessible to Femme Fu stylists.

Icelander · 08-21-2015, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wavefunction

It is very cheap, but it might be valid in a campaign that's already pretty damn cinematic, and is only accessible to Femme Fu stylists.

Sure. It's not potentially problematic or unbalancing in any way, because all it does is make an aesthetic choice that in the real world has adverse effects on performance not matter for the character.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a game where capes don't get stuck in doors or grabbed by enemies, dominos masks are reliable disguises even against people who know you well and stiletto heels work as well for fancy footwork as bare feet. It's a different feel from a realistic game, but that doesn't make it worse.

Wavefunction · 08-21-2015, 05:38 AM

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