roleplaying:cyberpunk:engagement_roll
no way to compare when less than two revisions
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
— | roleplaying:cyberpunk:engagement_roll [2018/12/12 16:09] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
+ | ====== Engagement Roll ====== | ||
+ | ^ Go Back to the [[start]] | | ||
+ | Once the players choose a plan and provide its detail, the GM cuts to the action— | ||
+ | describing the scene as the crew starts the operation and encounters their first obstacle. | ||
+ | But how is this established? | ||
+ | huge impact on how simple or troublesome the operation turns out to be. Rather than | ||
+ | expecting the GM to simply “get it right” each time, we use a dice roll instead. This is the | ||
+ | engagement roll. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The engagement roll is a fortune roll, starting with 1d for sheer luck. Modify the dice pool | ||
+ | for any major advantages or disadvantages that apply. Not counting the possible extra | ||
+ | factors you might consider, there is a possible 3d to be gained (for a total of 4d). | ||
+ | ===== Major Advantages / Disadvantages ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Is this operation particularly bold or daring? Take +1d. | ||
+ | * Is this operation overly complex or contingent on many factors? Take -1d. | ||
+ | * Does the plan’s detail expose a vulnerability of the target or hit them where they’re weakest? Take +1d. | ||
+ | * Is the target strongest against this approach, or do they have particular defenses or special preparations? | ||
+ | * Can any of your friends or contacts provide aid or insight for this operation? Take +1d. | ||
+ | * Are any enemies or rivals interfering in the operation? Take -1d. | ||
+ | * Are there any other elements that you want to consider? Maybe a lower profile target will give you +1d. Maybe a higher profile target will give you -1d. Maybe there’s a situation in the district that makes the operation more or less tricky. | ||
+ | The engagement roll assumes that the PCs are approaching the target as intelligently as | ||
+ | they can, given the plan and detail they provided, so we don’t need to play out tentative | ||
+ | probing manoeuvers, special precautions, | ||
+ | roll covers all of that. The PCs are already in action, facing the first obstacle—up on | ||
+ | the rooftop, hacking the lock on the window; kicking down the door of the bounty’s | ||
+ | safehouse; manoeuvring to speak with an executive at the masquerade party; etc. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Don’t make the engagement roll and then describe the PCs approaching the target. It’s | ||
+ | the approach that the engagement roll resolves. Cut to the action that results because of | ||
+ | that initial approach—to the first serious obstacle in their path. | ||
+ | |||
+ | //The first obstacles at the Black Lodge’s drug lab are their maglocks. | ||
+ | The engagement roll puts us on the roof outside a window, as the PCs attempt to | ||
+ | silently and carefully open the lock.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | //The PCs have kicked down the door and swarmed into the front room of the | ||
+ | Halloweener’s hideout, gun muzzles flashing, into a vicious melee with the first of his | ||
+ | bodyguards.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | //The PCs have socialised politely at the party, manoeuvring into position to have a | ||
+ | private word with the CEO. As a group of young department managers leave her side, | ||
+ | the PCs step up and engage her in conversation.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | If the players want to include a special preparation or clever setup, they can do so with | ||
+ | flashbacks during the run. This takes some getting used to. Players may baulk at first, | ||
+ | worried that you’re skipping over important things that they want to do. But jumping | ||
+ | straight into the action of the score is much more effective once you get used to it. When | ||
+ | they see the situation they’re in, their “planning” in flashbacks will be focused and useful, | ||
+ | rather than merely speculations on circumstances and events that might not even happen. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Critical: | ||
+ | * **6:** Good result. You’re in a controlled position when the action starts. | ||
+ | * **4/5:** Mixed result. You’re in a risky position when the action starts. | ||
+ | * **1-3:** Bad result. You’re in a desperate position when the action starts. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Outcomes ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The outcome of the engagement roll determines the position for the PCs’ initial actions | ||
+ | when we cut to the score in progress. A 1-3 means a desperate position. A 4/5 is a risky | ||
+ | position. A 6 yields a controlled position. And a critical carries the action beyond the initial | ||
+ | obstacle, deeper into the action of the score. | ||
+ | |||
+ | No matter how low profile or outmatched you are, a desperate position is the worst thing | ||
+ | that can result from the plan + detail + engagement process. It’s designed this way so the | ||
+ | planning process matters, but it doesn’t call for lots of optimisation or nitpicking. Even if | ||
+ | you’re reckless and just dive in and take your chances, you can’t get too badly burned. | ||
+ | Plus, you might even want those desperate rolls to generate more xp for the PCs, which | ||
+ | helps to bootstrap starting characters into advancement. | ||
+ | |||
+ | When you describe the situation after the roll, use the details of the target to paint a | ||
+ | picture of the PCs’ position. How might the strange syndicate present a desperate | ||
+ | position for burglars? How might the violent and ruthless spy present a risky threat to | ||
+ | assaulting thugs? How might the exceptionally rich and calculating executive present a | ||
+ | controlled opportunity for a manipulative cyberpunk? Use this opportunity to show how the | ||
+ | PCs’ enemies are dangerous and capable—don’t characterise a bad engagement roll as a | ||
+ | failure by the PCs, or they won’t trust the technique in the future. Sure, things are starting | ||
+ | out desperate here against the creepy occultists, but you’re just the type of characters who | ||
+ | are daring enough to take them on. Let’s get to it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === How long does it last? === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The engagement roll determines the starting position for the PCs’ actions. How long | ||
+ | does that hold? Does the situation stay desperate? No. Once the initial actions have been | ||
+ | resolved, you follow the normal process for establishing position for the rest of the rolls | ||
+ | during the score. The engagement roll is a quick short-hand to kick things off and get the | ||
+ | action started—it doesn’t have any impact after that. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
roleplaying/cyberpunk/engagement_roll.txt · Last modified: 2018/12/12 16:09 by 127.0.0.1