[DF+RPM] Cowardly Berserker

vierasmarius · 11-20-2011, 02:41 PM

I'm currently writing up a Goblin Shaman NPC for a DF one-shot with a friend, using the RPM system for his spell casting (he's not an Adept, so he'll be using Charms). I'd like the Shaman to be able to cast a spell to drive his goblin allies into a Berserk frenzy, but there's a hitch: Goblins have racial Cowardice. How does Berserk interact with Cowardice? Do I need to negate that disadvantage before I can put them into a rage, or does Berserk override it?

roguebfl · 11-20-2011, 03:38 PM

They both are disadvantages, I would say based on the situation chose whih to roll first, if the first one activated don't bother rolling the other. Basically I see the combo like normally he's running away but when he hit before he can or he actually chose to fight he fights like a wildman most of the time.

Danukian · 11-20-2011, 04:47 PM

There is nothing that stops a character form being a Berserk Coward - the 1st example that pops into my head is the Pearl Jam song "Jeremy"...

The Goblin would run and hide at the 1st sign of danger (Coward), but if injured or prevented from running, he would need a Will roll to avoid going berserk, just like the proverbial cornered rat.

vierasmarius · 11-20-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danukian

There is nothing that stops a character form being a Berserk Coward - the 1st example that pops into my head is the Pearl Jam song "Jeremy"...

The Goblin would run and hide at the 1st sign of danger (Coward), but if injured or prevented from running, he would need a Will roll to avoid going berserk, just like the proverbial cornered rat.

Ah. The complicating factor here is that it's Battle Frenzy, meaning he doesn't just roll for Berserk when hurt, but as soon as he enters a fight. I suppose Cowardice should kick in before that, so that he'd try to avoid getting in a fight... but if he does, he'd roll for Berserk.

Oh, or maybe he'd roll Self Control for each disadvantage, and the one that fails by a larger margin is the one that kicks in?

The Colonel · 11-20-2011, 05:58 PM

I offer you Regnak from David Gemmell's Legend ... generally regarded as "somewhat shy" when it came to physical courage, but a beserker once the fight started.

Also, domestic cats - three modes - posture, run away or beserk fury.

Bruno · 11-20-2011, 06:21 PM

I'm sort of thinking of Werewolves, from W:tA, who were generally rabid berserkers to the last wolf, but could go into a frenzy of terror under the right/wrong circumstances. It had a special name but I forget what it is. Anyways, if they had the terror-frenzy, they'd flee in a blind panic, but destroying anyone and anything that stands in its way to out and running shrieking down the street. Still severe movement restrictions, still All Out Attacking, possibly a worse problem with being reclassified an Enemy just because you're standing between the werewolf and the direction it's fleeing in... (walls be damned, most werewolves go right through them anyways and falling-damage really is the least of their worries).

jason taylor · 11-20-2011, 08:16 PM

How about the Roman stereotype of Celts as "quick to charge, quick to flee"?

Danukian · 11-20-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason taylor

How about the Roman stereotype of Celts as "quick to charge, quick to flee"?

I would put that description as a combination of Overconfidence and Low Morale for green troops!

Stone Dog · 11-20-2011, 10:41 PM

Remember that Rincewind the Wizard has both Cowardice and Combat Reflexes... so Cowardice and Berserker aren't out of the question at all!

11-20-2011, 02:41 PM	#1
vierasmarius Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oregon	[DF+RPM] Cowardly Berserker I'm currently writing up a Goblin Shaman NPC for a DF one-shot with a friend, using the RPM system for his spell casting (he's not an Adept, so he'll be using Charms). I'd like the Shaman to be able to cast a spell to drive his goblin allies into a Berserk frenzy, but there's a hitch: Goblins have racial Cowardice. How does Berserk interact with Cowardice? Do I need to negate that disadvantage before I can put them into a rage, or does Berserk override it?

11-20-2011, 03:38 PM	#2
roguebfl Dog of Lysdexics Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne FL, Formerly Wellington NZ	Re: [DF+RPM] Cowardly Berserker They both are disadvantages, I would say based on the situation chose whih to roll first, if the first one activated don't bother rolling the other. Basically I see the combo like normally he's running away but when he hit before he can or he actually chose to fight he fights like a wildman most of the time. __________________ Rogue the Bronze Firelizard Gerald Grenier, Jr. Hail Eris! Rogue's Weyr

11-20-2011, 04:47 PM	#3
Danukian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: MI	Re: [DF+RPM] Cowardly Berserker There is nothing that stops a character form being a Berserk Coward - the 1st example that pops into my head is the Pearl Jam song "Jeremy"... The Goblin would run and hide at the 1st sign of danger (Coward), but if injured or prevented from running, he would need a Will roll to avoid going berserk, just like the proverbial cornered rat. __________________ "My Dirty Girls on Bikes Calendar ends in December: it doesn't mean the world is going to end, it means it's time to order a new calendar!" ~Burt Chance

11-20-2011, 05:58 PM	#5
The Colonel Join Date: Jul 2006	Re: [DF+RPM] Cowardly Berserker I offer you Regnak from David Gemmell's Legend ... generally regarded as "somewhat shy" when it came to physical courage, but a beserker once the fight started. Also, domestic cats - three modes - posture, run away or beserk fury.

11-20-2011, 06:21 PM	#6
Bruno Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Canada	Re: [DF+RPM] Cowardly Berserker I'm sort of thinking of Werewolves, from W:tA, who were generally rabid berserkers to the last wolf, but could go into a frenzy of terror under the right/wrong circumstances. It had a special name but I forget what it is. Anyways, if they had the terror-frenzy, they'd flee in a blind panic, but destroying anyone and anything that stands in its way to out and running shrieking down the street. Still severe movement restrictions, still All Out Attacking, possibly a worse problem with being reclassified an Enemy just because you're standing between the werewolf and the direction it's fleeing in... (walls be damned, most werewolves go right through them anyways and falling-damage really is the least of their worries). __________________ All about Size Modifier; Unified Hit Location Table A Wiki for my F2F Group A neglected GURPS blog

11-20-2011, 08:16 PM	#7
jason taylor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon	Re: [DF+RPM] Cowardly Berserker How about the Roman stereotype of Celts as "quick to charge, quick to flee"? __________________ "The navy could probably win a war without coffee but would prefer not to try"-Samuel Eliot Morrison

11-20-2011, 10:41 PM	#9
Stone Dog Join Date: Feb 2008	Re: [DF+RPM] Cowardly Berserker Remember that Rincewind the Wizard has both Cowardice and Combat Reflexes... so Cowardice and Berserker aren't out of the question at all!