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11-01-2011, 02:30 PM | #11 |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
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11-01-2011, 02:36 PM | #12 |
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
And yet, the not being seen part appears as an operative phrase in the very first sentence of the skill description, even before it goes into the kinds of information you might obtain.
To me, that goes beyond 'clarification' and constitutes rule change. |
11-01-2011, 02:37 PM | #13 | |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
Quote:
To compare it to another skill, consider Holdout. It doesn't let you conceal your identity or motives, only your possessions. It can let you hide a weapon (for instance) so that your Acting, Disguise, and Fast-Talk rolls aren't at a penalty – or made automatic failures – for a big, honking gun. But merely concealing the gun isn't enough to let you pass as "not a detective" or "not a gangster" if those you're trying to fool are on alert for detectives or gangsters. You still need to fit in, which demands other skills. Both skills are ways to keep particular methods and equipment from messing with your attempt to keep a low profile. They aren't the primary means through which you attain a low profile, however.
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Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
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11-01-2011, 02:40 PM | #14 | |
Never Been Pretty
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
Quote:
I'd say that doing that would be Acting rather than Observation. |
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11-01-2011, 02:44 PM | #15 | |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
Quote:
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11-01-2011, 02:44 PM | #16 | |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
Quote:
This is the talent of observing dangerous or "interesting" situations without letting others know that you are watching.The former addresses the act of watching, which literally means the act of pointing your binoculars or microphone, or otherwise actively gathering data. The latter addresses the act of hiding. The rules specify the former, not the latter. You can use Stealth to disguise your presence, but without Observation, watching rather than simply hiding will screw this up. You can use Observation to disguise your intent, but without Stealth, you're not hidden and so it doesn't matter. It's quite possible to be good at Observation but not Stealth if you use means that don't allow the other person a Sense roll; e.g., a telescope from 1,000 yards. It's equally possible to be good at Stealth but not Observation. That's why the skills are separate.
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Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
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11-01-2011, 02:45 PM | #17 | |
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
Quote:
A guy is in a bar, scoping the local women. He uses Acting to convey "I'm just hanging out with my drink," instead of "I'm looking at you." He then makes a successful Observation role to notice that the young woman he's looking at doesn't have a ring on her left hand. The successful Observation roll also allows him to not do a spit take or otherwise blow his cover due to his observation. Am I on the right track?
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An ongoing narrative of philosophy, psychology, and semiotics: Et in Arcadia Ego "To an Irishman, a serious matter is a joke, and a joke is a serious matter." Last edited by Lord Carnifex; 11-01-2011 at 02:56 PM. |
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11-01-2011, 02:46 PM | #18 |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
It's the skill of not breaking cover while gathering useful intelligence. The "gathering useful intelligence" part is the essence of the skill, and what everything past the opening sentence discusses.
__________________
Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
11-01-2011, 03:02 PM | #19 | |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
Quote:
1. Roll Acting, Savoir-Faire or Streetwise to blend in. 2. Roll Observation to not break cover when gathering intelligence, while blending in. 3. Roll Per-based roll against a relevant skill to gather intelligence. |
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11-01-2011, 03:14 PM | #20 | |
Never Been Pretty
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Re: [Social Engineering] Why can't Observation be used to covertly judge approachabil
Quote:
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