Men In Black, Cue Cards, and You.

[Shawn Struck]

So, in the gaming group I'm a part of, I'm authorized to run MiB games-- we use the old West End Games d6 system, along with the house rule that substitutes K Points for Fate Points.

The MiB system also include something called Cue Cards-- basically, actions an agent can perform or lines of dialog that when spoken at the appropriate dramatic/comedic moment will then generate a reward.

An example--

Action or Phrase:

"Strike that! Reverse it."

Reward:
Immediately re-roll a a failed Knowledge roll.

More examples here.

So, I know it's not a d20 system, but surely the difference in mechanics woun't limit creative ideas... what sort of ideas, actions, quote or phrases do you think would make kick-ass Cue Cards?
Share some!

 

[NCSUCodeMonkey]

I have a similar mechanic in my Underoo Avengers game under the bash system, except that the catch phrases are bonuses gained through dropping foes (they appear as coins on the battle map that must be collected by moving over them).

They include such things as:

Taunt -- On your next panel, choose an opponent and taunt her. you must create an original taunt and shout it at your opponent. The target has a -2 to all checks against you for the remainder of the combat. Taunting does not take an action, you can still attack, move, and activate powers normally.

Did Not! -- You automatically dodge the next attack that hits you. In order to receive this bonus, you must shout, "Didn't hit me!" or some similar phrase. Your opponent may respond with a phrase such as, "Did too!"

I'm Telling! -- The next time you are hit, you tattle on your attacker. You must shout, "I'm telling!" and pointing your finger accusingly at your attacker. The attacker loses his next panel of actions, after which he may respond with a phrase such as, "N'uh uh!" or "I don't care!" and continue acting normally. Telling does not take an action, so you may move and attack normally after telling.

Of course, the game does emulate the super-hero imaginations of eight year olds...so take it with a grain of salt .

Bonus cards attached.

 

[Shawn Struck]

Wow--

NCSU-- your card game looks and sounds AWESOME! I'm checking itout post haste/

I'm also lifting a taunt-like action, something not as daring as "With an angry alien snarling in your face, stand calmly, don't move and insult the alien. BEWARE: You'll probably be hit by the alien." but also as fun.

My most popular Cue Card?

Action:
Flail your arms stiffly and intone robotically; "The function of the rookie is to OBEY! OBEY! OBEY!"
Reward" Temporary !D bonus to your Knowledge: MiB Policy roll

 

[Piratecat]

Shawn, I'm really jealous. I was friends with the guys who wrote that; I'd love to play it!

Very cool.

 

[NCSUCodeMonkey]

NCSU-- your card game looks and sounds AWESOME! I'm checking itout post haste

Yeah, I keep meaning to post all the stuff I created for the Underoo games. Currently I'm using the BASH system with a lot of extra stuff tacked onto it. BASH is pretty good if you ignore some of the rules . The cards are actually just power-ups that get handed out during play to make it more video gameish.

 

[Janx]

what's the bash system?

 

[HelloChristian]

I used those in GURPS. They worked great! It was a steampunk game, with muskets and all that. One card we used:

"Good, bad...I'm the guy with the gun."
Gain +1 to your Gun (muskets) skill.

Cue cards are great for shy players, who may not feel comfortable role-playing.

For D&D, hmmm...how about:

"If one of you primates so much as touches me..."
Gain +1 to your Intimidation skill.

 

[Shawn Struck]

@Piratecat:

Whoa.. you mean you know someone at West End Games, or Mike of Mike's Home for Wayward Mib Agents?

@ HelloChristian:

I can't beleive I never thought of that, but that's PERFECT for the Men in Black Milleu.

Here are some more of mine:

Action or Phrase:
"Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind."
Reward:
This round only, you may cover a fellow Agent's retreat at no penalty. The Agent covered does not need to make any rolls to successfully retreat the Scene this round.

Action or Phrase:
Successfully knock down, bowl over, or stagger an alien by throwing another alien at your target. Note: Aliens MUST be engaging your agents in combat or taking overtly hostile action (so no tossing the Worm Guys around, no matter HOW annoying they are).
Reward:
The next Agent to attack the target will automatically hit.
OR
Re-roll a 1 on a Wild Die roll once this game session.

Action or Phrase:
"First there's the 'ooohs' and the 'ahhhs"... then there's the running and the screaming."
Reward:
+1D to Intimidation roll
OR
If you have set an explosive charge, next round it will explode for MAX damage... and DOUBLE the blast radius.

 

[Eridanis]

FYI: it may be a while before PC responds, as he's out of pocket for the next two weeks or so.

Sounds like fun!