Talent/Spell of the Week: Area Knowledge

JimmyPlenty · 01-31-2023, 02:05 PM

Do you require IQ rolls to use Area Knowledge?

Always a conundrum with talents. You spend the points to get it, only to have it not work if you aren't smart enough, leading to only the highest IQs to even bother.

On the other hand, automatic success just don't "feel" right. Everything automatic might be fine in a cinematic game, like FATE, but for TFT or OSR in general, it feels off.

The less a GM uses it, the less they should require an IQ roll, just let it happen.

If they can use it often, then maybe an IQ roll is a good idea, adding dice to more detailed information.

If it covers a broad area, the difficulty will certainly increase. The narrower, I would allow 2d6 in many situations expect for the most esoteric.

When you play a character, do you feel that Area Knowledge is worth the price?

It really comes down to your creativity and the GM on this one.

When you GM, do you encourage players to choose Area Knowledge or give for free or discount?

I've been GM'ing a lot of programmed adventures, usually not worth it in those circumstances.

Hard to discount a talent that only costs 1.

01-31-2023, 02:05 PM	#2
JimmyPlenty Join Date: Dec 2017	Re: Talent/Spell of the Week: Area Knowledge Do you require IQ rolls to use Area Knowledge? Always a conundrum with talents. You spend the points to get it, only to have it not work if you aren't smart enough, leading to only the highest IQs to even bother. On the other hand, automatic success just don't "feel" right. Everything automatic might be fine in a cinematic game, like FATE, but for TFT or OSR in general, it feels off. The less a GM uses it, the less they should require an IQ roll, just let it happen. If they can use it often, then maybe an IQ roll is a good idea, adding dice to more detailed information. If it covers a broad area, the difficulty will certainly increase. The narrower, I would allow 2d6 in many situations expect for the most esoteric. When you play a character, do you feel that Area Knowledge is worth the price? It really comes down to your creativity and the GM on this one. When you GM, do you encourage players to choose Area Knowledge or give for free or discount? I've been GM'ing a lot of programmed adventures, usually not worth it in those circumstances. Hard to discount a talent that only costs 1.