Confused by Action Points

[tetsujin28]

Do action points gained with additional levels stack, or are they simply "refreshed" upon attaining a new level?

E.g.: A 1st level hero attains 2nd level. He has used two of his starting five AP, so he currently has three. Upon attaining 2nd level, is his new total [3+(5+1/2 new level=6] nine, or simply six?

 

[kreynolds]

They stack.

 

[Unseelie]

They stack, which means that you as the GM really want to encourage them to use them.

Also, consider that for NPCs, it is assumed that they will have action points equal to half of their total character levels.

I think that since I'm planning on starting my players at a level higher than one that I will start them with one level's worth of action points (5+(level/2)) and assume that they've spent all of their previous points.

 

[kreynolds]

Also, consider that for NPCs, it is assumed that they will have action points equal to half of their total character levels.

That doesn't apply only to NPCs. It applies to PCs as well. Page 204 says to consider that a heroic character has a number of action points equal to half his or her character level.

I think its only fair to let your players know in advance if you're going to short them of action points.

EDIT: Since I don't pay attention, I should also add that it rocks if you give them more, especially if I'm one of the players!

 

[DanMcS]

That doesn't apply only to NPCs. It applies to PCs as well. Page 204 says to consider that a heroic character has a number of action points equal to half his or her character level.

I think its only fair to let your players know in advance if you're going to short them of action points.

Unseelie isn't shorting them. He said he's giving them 5 PLUS half their level.

 

[kreynolds]

Unseelie isn't shorting them. He said he's giving them 5 PLUS half their level.

Oh yeah. Sweet! Dude. I need more giving DMs like you!

 

[garyh]

Heh. I'm starting my first Modern game and I'm letting people keep 2/3rds of the AP they'd accumulate by the starting level (6th).

I rationalize this with two reasons:

1 - I'd hoard my AP.

2 - It's a superhero game, so if they do extraordinary things, well - that's the genre.

 

[Henry]

GM's do NOT need to worry about action points. Why? Because even at higher levels, the most you can get from one action point roll is 6 points. That's not a real bank breaker, and most players I know are going to save them for the really meaningful rolls anyway.

 

[Crothian]

I'm not the least bit worried about action points, and if for some reason it does become a problem I imagine I can goat the PCs into useing them.

 

[Trainz]

I love action points.

It creates a very cool dynamic. The PC's are butchered to single digits hit points. It's one of the PC's turn. Earlier in the previous round he successfully hit the Ogre with a roll of 17, and now he rolls a 14 and misses. The PC rolls his action roll, 2, his attack is 16. DM:"You hit."

The players cheer. My players always cheer after a successful use of an action point. Pretty. Darn. Cool.