Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Longspeak" data-source="post: 9208505" data-attributes="member: 7019284">I don't mind subverting expectations, or having abilities the PCs don't. What I mind is when it's out of left field. It's there to surprise the players. And I mean players.You know how in a Video Game your character walks into a large open space strewn with corpses and resources and you go. "Oh, looks like we're having a boss battle." Then your character is shocked at the sudden appearance of a boss. Vs. Some where they come from nowhere.Same thing in some RPG builds. tricks meant to take the players off guard. as well as the characters.I always like to have a "this is what's gonna happen" ready for if players don't tip the scales (whether by not bothering or poor rolls/choices). Sometimes, though, just having that seems to... tempt me. Gotta guard against it.Example In a recent session, there was a wild card in a major battle. By herself, she was a potential boss fight for the PCs, but this was in the middle or a larger battle I gave the players a countdown, and while I only hinted at specific, I made it clear they did not want that countdown to reach 0. Long Story Short, lots of people would die. Well... they ignored it. Countdown reached zero. I SHOULD have let the character do her thing. At least two of the PCs and probably four would have died. Two couldn't even survive half damage. Two probably would have missed saves and taken full damage. And 1 had plenty of HP, a great save, and Resistance to the damage type. He's have watched dozens die, but would have survived and been in a fight with the wild card all by himself.  So... I deus exed and killed the character they were supposed to talk off the ledge.I think we made good drama (and they REVIVED the character. I was like "No, that doesn't work on the type of creature, and they were all "it just says creature." So, "Damn. It worked. She comes back mad. We're still in intiative." She's only got one HP. I bonk her on the head and KO her."So it worked.... but I still interfered.This would be brilliant in a tabletop. Character's improving solutions, a GM willing to work with zany ideas. But yeah... In a game, kinda lame with no groundwork and no way to tip the scales with your accomplishments. Just make a cutscene.Is Survivor the first or the second in the Poncho Jedi Series? Because I think I know the encounter you're talking about. It's right before [SPOILER="Possible Spoiler Alluded To"]the game's Kobayashi Maru?[/SPOILER]</blockquote>

Verification