OOC: The hunt for the blue palace (Troika!/Yoon-Suin, full for now).

[Ancalagon]

I could say tons about monetary policies of Xian vs Yoon Suin, metal exchange rates, trade imbalances but... that's not why you are here are you?

Anyway, it took us 1 week to go from "are we doing this?" to character creation, party meeting, adventure "obtained" and first encounter. I am very happy about how this is going so far! Said first encounter is a bit more of a "trash fight" than super neat material, but I think it's important to get one of those under our belt, both to test the system in itself, and see how it runs on a play by post. The "opposed roll" nature of combat really changes things. If Subotai is attacked by 5 gremlins, he has to do 5 opposed roll - and he might kill most of them too! But how we handle that in a play by post is important (otherwise it can slow things down).

On the other hand, the damage is way higher than in the old Fighting Fantasy, so you have to be careful not to take too many risk, because you can take a lot of damage very quickly. This is an interesting change from the old advanced fighting fantasy system, where the average attack did 2 points of damage... in the current system if you are hit and take 2 points you count yourself lucky!

@tuffghost12 It increases your armor by one - so there is now a - 3 penalty in total to the 1d6 damage "roll" (although it reduces to 1, never further), so you are quite well protected. Because it's on your hand, it doesn't take encumbrance but it does mean that your off-hand is busy, which might matter in some circumstances. If you wish, you can have it on "top" of your rucksack (ie easy access) to keep your hand free, but in cases of ambushes then it won't help you until you have the chance to grab it.

 

[tuffghost12]

Anyway, it took us 1 week to go from "are we doing this?" to character creation, party meeting, adventure "obtained" and first encounter. I am very happy about how this is going so far! Said first encounter is a bit more of a "trash fight" than super neat material, but I think it's important to get one of those under our belt, both to test the system in itself, and see how it runs on a play by post. The "opposed roll" nature of combat really changes things. If Subotai is attacked by 5 gremlins, he has to do 5 opposed roll - and he might kill most of them too! But how we handle that in a play by post is important (otherwise it can slow things down).

Things are going smoothly so far! (Famous last words) This system is fairly intuitive, and making characters is super quick... also really fun! On that note, I can't imagine being able to play Troika with my friends here, so I'm really happy I stumbled on your game. Thanks for putting this all together!

@tuffghost12 It increases your armor by one - so there is now a - 3 penalty in total to the 1d6 damage "roll" (although it reduces to 1, never further), so you are quite well protected. Because it's on your hand, it doesn't take encumbrance but it does mean that your off-hand is busy, which might matter in some circumstances. If you wish, you can have it on "top" of your rucksack (ie easy access) to keep your hand free, but in cases of ambushes then it won't help you until you have the chance to grab it.

Thanks. I'll put it down to -3. Should help

Ya, it's probably more ideal that the shield is strung-up on my rucksack. Also, as characters go, I don't think Mui is the type to constantly be on-guard and hold his shield. He's a pensive dude.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I know what you mean. Shields are for war. I expect that Dubi Gan only has his shield in hand when he is planning to get into a fight, otherwise it's probably stowed. Actually, it's probably on the porter!

Last thing he had in his hands is the stick that he drew the map with. Was there much time between pointing stuff out on the map and the critters? (He would have kept the stick in hand to tap at the map while discussing it.)

If we were ready to head into the woods he'd have tossed it aside.

 

[JustinCase]

Yeah, looks like I defended myself right, and punched the thing in the face!

I like this system so far. And not just because my first attack rolls were great.

Now, let me adjust my sheet with that armor, because eventually I'll get hurt, I just know it.

 

[JustinCase]

@Fradak I fear Pinpehlu spent all our rupees on his shiny new rhino vest... Those things are expensive. But the porter is so very proud of his armor!

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Can I ask why a few of you are rolling with the damage roll added in and then redoing the math after? Am you need to do is use a ; instead of a + and coyote won't add them together.

 

[Ancalagon]

Can I ask why a few of you are rolling with the damage roll added in and then redoing the math after? Am you need to do is use a ; instead of a + and coyote won't add them together.

I didn't know that, useful!

 

[tuffghost12]

Can I ask why a few of you are rolling with the damage roll added in and then redoing the math after? Am you need to do is use a ; instead of a + and coyote won't add them together.

Can i get an example? I'm a tad confused.
I think most of us are rolling, then cross referencing the charts to see what damage we actually did.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Can i get an example? I'm a tad confused.
I think most of us are rolling, then cross referencing the charts to see what damage we actually did.

Oh, a few of the posted rolls looked like this: 2d6+1d6+7 (5, 6)+(5)= 23. And then it was neccessary to recalculate 18 attack and 5 damage (then look it up). Very confusing.

Format on Coyote Code should be 2d6+7;1d6. Then it would give you results of 18 and 5 without having to redo it. It's no big deal, but we are already trying to understand a new (and a little bit odd) system, so using Coyote in an awkward way will just make it more hard to follow.

Like I said, though, not a big deal.

 

[tuffghost12]

Oh, a few of the posted rolls looked like this: 2d6+1d6+7 (5, 6)+(5)= 23. And then it was neccessary to recalculate 18 attack and 5 damage (then look it up). Very confusing.

Format on Coyote Code should be 2d6+7;1d6. Then it would give you results of 18 and 5 without having to redo it. It's no big deal, but we are already trying to understand a new (and a little bit odd) system, so using Coyote in an awkward way will just make it more hard to follow.

Like I said, though, not a big deal.

No worries! We're all learning!
You're entirely right. We should be as clear as possible so we don't confuse each other.
So, if I understood correctly, I should use a semicolon to separate the dice rolls.

To do an opposed roll and damage:
2d6+skill;1d6


(reading back on your other messages, it's all making sense now. haha)

 

[Ancalagon]

Round 1 is done, next round every one gets to go!

I would like to post round 2 right away but I am running my 5e game this evening. You may be amused to know that the group did this adventure in 5e about 2 years ago

 

[FitzTheRuke]

So... Uh... How does my sleep spell work?

 

[tuffghost12]

So... Uh... How does my sleep spell work?

From the book:

"To cast a Spell you must spend Stamina equal to the casting cost (the number in the brackets) and Roll Under your Skill Total in the Spell you wish to cast. A double 1 will always succeed while a double 6 will always fail and require a roll on the Oops! Table."

"Sleep (2): The wizard convinces a target to forgo wakefulness for a time, causing them to sleep until woken unless they successfully test their Luck. Remember: fighting is loud."

 

[Ancalagon]

So... Uh... How does my sleep spell work?

As above - it's a bit different than the D&D combat spell - it can be very good outside of combat, or vs one large monster if it fails it luck check (ie it's saving throw).

Statistically, you have to roll 7 or under on 2d6, so a bit better than 50% success. You also have a total of 7 in your sword skill. However, the Ophilone's combat skill is lower (5) and since it's an opposed roll, your chance of success are actually higher. But if you fail, you get hit and take damage... but casting spells "costs" damage too so...

Perhaps the best answer is what would Dubi Gan do instead of the best tactical move. Besides, we're all learning the system here

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Oh right, duh. You already said that it is not great in combat.

Would taking my shield off of the porter and putting it on take my whole turn? (And also draw my sword?)

 

[JustinCase]

Can I ask why a few of you are rolling with the damage roll added in and then redoing the math after? Am you need to do is use a ; instead of a + and coyote won't add them together.

Honestly because I didn't know I could do that... Now I do, and I will!

 

[Ancalagon]

Oh right, duh. You already said that it is not great in combat.

Would taking my shield off of the porter and putting it on take my whole turn? (And also draw my sword?)

Drawing your sword is a free action - Troika is a bit loosy goosy on those details. To take your shield I would rule that it's one of those things he was carrying on his yoke so it's on the ground now, but it is right besides you... Troika has a rule for diging stuff out of your own backpack but this is different, but I'll sort of use said rule anyway: Roll 4 or higher on 2d6 and you can grab it too as a free action.

 

[Ancalagon]

So our first fight is almost over - this wasn't meant to be challenging, just to give an idea of how the system work. Any comments?

Soon after this, the party will be able to begin exploring properly...

 

[Fradak]

Here are my thoughts. They're not problems, just things I noted.

One thing about initiative and awareness check. Don't fail it. The combat could have been over before Subotai or Dubai reacted. It's even more important than in other systems, because of those counter attacks.

For example, in a 2 vs 2 combat, a player could do 6 attacks before the second one plays.
Turn1
2 enemies attack player 1: 2 reactions for player 1
Player 1 turn: 1 action
Turn 2
2 enemies attack player 1: 2 reactions for player 1
Player 1 turn: 1 action
Player 2 turn: 1 action

On another hand, combats are very fast because of this. So don't fail awareness checks

Another thing about awareness. You ask us to throw it in advance which is a good thing, but I have a question.
lets assume the DM ask for a check. Players should throw 2D6 under skill+adv skill. To avoid an incoming trap for example. Mainly against environmental hazards I suppose.
But, if it was to spot a sneaking enemy, players should have to throw 2D6+skill+adv skill versus enemy sneak.
It is two different throws to do in Coyote Code. And the players don't know which one to do (and shouldn't know, obviously).
So, perhaps the players always throw 2D6+skill+adv skill and the DM sort it out.

About the reaction system (when you have to counter attack), it is great. It gives a nice feeling of exchange and uncertainty. But if I understand well, number is not an advantage here. In a 6 vs 1 combat, it could end in 1 round with the 6 men dead. It reminds me samurais movies, when you don't even understand how he managed to kill everyone around him in the blink of an eye. Let see how it runs.

And finally, it's a good thing we are all very present (partly because it's a new game) because the DM has to wait for the player's counter attack to solve every attack he makes. If it becomes a problem, perhaps you should throw those one your self?

Anyway, I like it so far.

 

[Ancalagon]

@Fradak, I was sure you had rolled over your skill for awareness but maybe I was wrong? Very sorry about that. And your comment about awareness vs stealth (opposed vs flat roll) are well noted.

You've identified a unique challenge of Troika and play by post - the "opposed" rolls for attacks means that the players and the GM have to roll twice as much - it's almost as if instead of having a static AC, you rolled defense on each attack. I'm hoping that it will be manageable. I'm also hoping that we can keep up the good pace - this is not a long adventure so maybe it's feasible, we will see.

Lastly, you are also correct that in a large combat where you have one skilled swordsman vs many "bad" foes (say, goblins), the skilled swordsman could kill them all in one round. As you, I love the opposed nature of the roll, it actually is rather realistic in a 1 vs 1 fight. However for group fights it can be ridiculous. I'm going to keep running it as is, but maybe I'll house rule it in the future (perhaps a number of counter attacks limited by your weapon skill? a penalty when ganged up upon?). It's interesting that such a simple system has so much nuances to it.