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Old 07-10-2015, 11:15 AM   #1
Kromm
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Default GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

I came here to teach
And in answering questions
I did also learn
— Some hack
In GURPS, "learning" is often just a euphemism for "spending points on new traits that make my character more powerful." That's fine, but sometimes you want more than that – whether because realism matters or because education is a theme of an adventure or even the whole campaign. In situations like these, Chapter 9 of the GURPS Basic Set might not be enough . . . which is why we've released GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School.

This supplement builds on the existing mechanics for learning, elaborating on the options in the Basic Set and other supplements, and offering entirely new ideas (like treating study as a "job" that pays in hours toward new skills instead of in $). It also views training from the instructor's perspective, explaining how the Teaching skill works in play, extending GURPS Social Engineering to the teacher-student relationship, and addressing practical matters (such as getting paid!). It covers a variety of ancillary concepts, too, from tuition fees to shifting points from skills to attributes to reflect the holistic benefits of a broad education. Yet it isn't all crunch – gamers who want to run campaigns that use these rules will find plenty of advice on how to make that interesting.

Fond of heroes who study somewhere other than at the School of Hard Knocks? Interested in a campaign inspired by high-school themed anime or a certain well-known school of witchcraft and wizardry? Want to make anything from realistic Special Forces training to being Trained by a Master an adventure rather than a background story? GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School is your textbook!


Store Link: http://www.warehouse23.com/products/SJG37-1668
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Old 07-10-2015, 11:19 AM   #2
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Default Re: GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

I was hoping you'd licensed the Rodney Dangerfield movie...
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Old 07-10-2015, 11:41 AM   #3
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Default Re: GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

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Originally Posted by cptbutton View Post
I was hoping you'd licensed the Rodney Dangerfield movie...
Well, that movie's whole premise can be done using this book, I'd say. Still, that particular license would be a niche within a niche within a niche.... that is to say, wouldn't sell to more than a handful of people.

I just have to say... CURSE YOU, BUDGET! :(
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Old 07-10-2015, 04:38 PM   #4
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Default Re: GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

Reading what's on the W23 page, this seems to be EXACTLY what I need right now! Bought.
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Old 07-10-2015, 06:34 PM   #5
Peter Knutsen
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Default Re: GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

At least now all teachers capable of teaching will no longer be equally good at it. That's a huge step forward for GURPS.
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Old 07-11-2015, 03:18 AM   #6
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Default Re: GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

Accelerated Learning looks like it will be a popular advantage for those who use the "Improvement Through Study" rules.
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Old 07-11-2015, 06:47 AM   #7
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Default Re: GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

Haven't seen it yet, sadly. I'd be essentially uninterested in the learning rules, but heavily interested in educational settings for campaigns or educational institutions for "broader" settings. As usual, something for everyone, it appears! (That attention to scope is well appreciated.)
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Old 07-11-2015, 10:14 AM   #8
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Default Re: GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

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Originally Posted by Randyman View Post
Haven't seen it yet, sadly. I'd be essentially uninterested in the learning rules, but heavily interested in educational settings for campaigns or educational institutions for "broader" settings. As usual, something for everyone, it appears! (That attention to scope is well appreciated.)
Out of the four chapters, The first one is more or less rules about learning. The second chapter is about two thirds rules about teaching, one third discussion about "being a teacher". The third chapter is about organizations. The fourth chapter is about campaigns.

Your judgement if that's enough for you.
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Old 07-11-2015, 10:24 AM   #9
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Default Re: GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

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Originally Posted by Bruno View Post
Out of the four chapters, The first one is more or less rules about learning. The second chapter is about two thirds rules about teaching, one third discussion about "being a teacher". The third chapter is about organizations. The fourth chapter is about campaigns.

Your judgement if that's enough for you.
Definitely. Like I said, good attention to scope; something for many/most, if not everyone. Thanks for the breakdown!
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Old 07-11-2015, 01:27 PM   #10
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Default Re: GURPS Social Engineering: Back to School

The original Super-Speed enhancement for ATR (p. P42) states it can't be used to hasten learning (it's only for mundane repetitive tasks, which learning is not), while Back to School says it can (p. 20) but only with a similar teacher, I guess?

Last edited by munin; 07-11-2015 at 08:15 PM.
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