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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LostSoul" data-source="post: 5219514" data-attributes="member: 386">Here's a shot.ACTION POINTSIn addition to its normal use, a player may spend an Action Point to when he wants his character to take an action that is not covered by his powers.<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The player describes the action of his character.  After the description, he holds up an AP token and states his intent to use an Action Point. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The DM uses his judgement to determine how to resolve the action.  Use the following guidelines to make a ruling:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If the action is covered by a power the character has access to, the character may use that power as normal and does not need to spend an AP.  The action is resolved normally.  (Example: Grabbing someone by the neck and throwing them back can be covered by Bull Rush.)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If the action is not covered by a power the character has access to, the DM must ask himself this question: is the action the character takes plausible given the character, genre, situation, and setting?  If so, proceed to step 3.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If the action is not covered by a power the character has access to and the DM does not consider the action plausible, the character has no chance to succeed in his action.  The player may abort the action or continue through with it; either way, the character retains the AP.</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The DM determines how to resolve the action based on the player's description of the action.  Once he has settled on a resolution method, he announces it to the player.  At this time the player may abort his action and retain the AP, taking another action of his choosing.  If the player continues on with the action, go to step 4.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The DM determines the type of action (Standard, Move, Minor).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The DM determines if the action requires a roll.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If a roll is required, the DM determines the modifier used and the DC.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The DM determines what the outcome of the action will be, including damage and conditional effects.</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The player rolls the dice, if necessary, and the character performs the action. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The DM determines the outcome of the action based on the dice roll.</li> </ol>Blah blah blah.  You could get a lot more detailed with how to determine how to resolve actions.  For example, determining type:Pick the first action type from the list that applies:Does the action deal damage or impose a condition on a foe?  Standard.Does the action heal a character? Standard.Does the action grant a bonus or save to another character? Move.etc.You could do the same thing with modifiers, damage, conditions, whatever.LOANED ACTION POINTSWhen a player wants to use an AP but his character has none left, he may "loan" one from the DM.  The DM can accept or refuse the request.  If the DM accepts the request, the PC gains an AP that must be spent immediately.  In addition, the DM gains an AP that any NPC may use.  The DM may save these APs between encounters.REWARDING ACTION POINTSAction Points are rewarded when any one of the following conditions are met:Blah blah blah.  This is very important.  You want to make it clear enough so that there's no confusion as to what rewards an AP.  You want to make it reinforce the objective of the game, why you guys are playing in the first place.  It'll be different for different goals of play.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When a player, describing the action of his character, uses the specific details of the game world to gain a significant advantage over an enemy (e.g. when the DM describes a foe "on the ground, spread-eagled", the PC steps on the foe's sword)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When the DM rules that any or all elements of a player's power does not apply in a specific situation (e.g. tripping an ooze), yet the player still uses that power</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When a character takes advantage of a terrain feature in an unexpected and unusual way</li> </ul>---<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When a character spends a scene 1) debating intellectual or philosophical matters with a NPC, 2) drinking, carousing, or other physical pursuits with an NPC, 3) engaging with an NPC in a formal social outing</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When a character spends a scene listening to the problems of an NPC and openly promises to solve them</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When a character turns his back on an NPC in dire need</li> </ul>---<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When a player, speaking in character, says something that could have been ripped from the pages of The Dying Earth ("The Law of Equivalences has been disturbed; and I must contrive a reciprocity.")</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When a character comes up and follows through on a harebrained scheme to make money</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When a player, speaking in character, speaks disingenuously to an NPC</li> </ul>Some ideas.</blockquote>

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