They should really fix that in GURPS Horror!

[pawsplay]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

Nearly a third of monsters are included before you include positive modifiers?

Let me try to reiterate. The suggested penalty ranges from -1 to -10. So hierarchically, if not demographically, 30% of monsters produce a base penalty of -3 or less. Without any other negative modifiers, Will 10 and Will 13 are equal if you gain at least a +3 from Advantages, such as Resistant to Fear (+3) or Fearlessness 3. It seems like having an above average Will would count for something.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by pawsplay

Let me try to reiterate. The suggested penalty ranges from -1 to -10. So hierarchically, if not demographically, 30% of monsters produce a base penalty of -3 or less. Without any other negative modifiers, Will 10 and Will 13 are equal if you gain at least a +3 from Advantages, such as Resistant to Fear (+3) or Fearlessness 3. It seems like having an above average Will would count for something.

Assuming that you have a -1 penalty, the Will 10 character will have a target of 12 or less, while the Will 13 will have a target of 13 or less

[pawsplay]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

Assuming that you have a -1 penalty, the Will 10 character will have a target of 12 or less, while the Will 13 will have a target of 13 or less

Ok, that's right. My original example was Will 11, in which case both have a 13 or less.

[Kelly Pedersen]

Originally Posted by pawsplay

Without any other negative modifiers, Will 10 and Will 13 are equal if you gain at least a +3 from Advantages, such as Resistant to Fear (+3) or Fearlessness 3. It seems like having an above average Will would count for something.

I'd argue that high Will/Fearlessness advantages do have a beneficial effect on Fright Checks - they move penalized sources of fear into the range of "normal" fear reactions. I posted my arguments on another thread, earlier, and I'd say the same thing here. The main benefit of Fearlessness/high Will is when confronting the truly terrifying is that it means that you likely won't go crazy. You'll freeze for a few seconds (or maybe a minute or two on an extreme reaction), and occaisonally gain a quirk or two. Someone without your advantages will tend to go crazy.
Don't forget, as well, that Fright Checks get less extreme the more you encounter a source of fear. Someone like Doctor Strange, who's been hanging around deeply freaky things for most of a decade (by Marvel time, anyway), probably by now simply doesn't have to make Fright Checks for most things. "Swarm of rats? Just like the ones the Rat King of Transyvannia always sends. Ho hum." "Giant demon-spider? I blasted three just like it last month during that dimensional cross-rip." "Tentacled Thing From Beyond? Buddy, Dormammu keeps worse than you to sweep up after his parties."

[pawsplay]

Originally Posted by Kelly Pedersen

Don't forget, as well, that Fright Checks get less extreme the more you encounter a source of fear. Someone like Doctor Strange, who's been hanging around deeply freaky things for most of a decade (by Marvel time, anyway), probably by now simply doesn't have to make Fright Checks for most things.

There comes a point where you have to assign a trait to them, otherwise you are just handwaving.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by pawsplay

There comes a point where you have to assign a trait to them, otherwise you are just handwaving.

That trait is Terror. A superhero, even a sorcerer superhero isn't likely to need to make a fright check for anything that doesn't have it.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

That trait is Terror. A superhero, even a sorcerer superhero isn't likely to need to make a fright check for anything that doesn't have it.

That means she is Unfazeable (-20%: Not Against Terror).

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Molokh

That means she is Unfazeable (-20%: Not Against Terror).

No, that means she's really farking powerful and experienced in the weirdness of the world. Remember when I commented that a frightening illusion would only force rookies into fright checks? It's different when the genre is set to "horror" just as its different when the genre is set to "cinematic action". But in the superhero genre, you only get fright checks from things that have Terror, unless you're basically a rookie.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

No, that means she's really farking powerful and experienced in the weirdness of the world. Remember when I commented that a frightening illusion would only force rookies into fright checks?

IMO this should require some sort of Unusual Background, as otherwise it is more advantageous to play a jaded veteran than a talented and quick-learning rookie.

[pawsplay]

Originally Posted by Molokh

That means she is Unfazeable (-20%: Not Against Terror).

First of all, I think that's a pretty weird construction. Second, that takes us back to Will rolls to resist Terror.