[Torg] more NCI questions

[Benjamin Grant]

>>Benjamin Grant wrote:
>>
>>[I wrote:]
>>
>>>>> For simplicity's sake, I usually don't have resisting NPCs generate
>>>>> Willpower totals, I just worsen their attitude towards the other
>>>>> character by one step.
>>
>>> Isn't that the equivalent of giving the NPCs an average of +3 to
>>their 
>>> defense (or better)?  That seems to put the PC to a significant
>>> disadvantage.
>>
>>PCs get P-Points and cards, giving them a significant advantage over
>>most NPCs (the interaction rules in the original rulebook even point
>>this out) so it probably balances out.

PCs get P-Points and cards - to my way of thinking, this is because they are
*supposed* to have that advantage.  By giving the NPCs an average of around
+3 to their defense, aren't you taking back some of the advantage that the
system gives to PCs?  I guess what I am saying is that IMO the advantages
that the PCs get aren't an accident or mistake, and I would prefer not to
lessen them.

I guess my question becomes apart from feeling like PCs need some balancing
or depowering from the standard rules (which I don't) is their any other
justification for giving NPCs a blanket +3 to their defense of NCIs?

>>
>>> Why not just use the numbers without worsening the attitude level?
>>
>>Like I said it was for simplicity's sake, one less die roll to worry
>>about.

I was suggesting that you can ditch the die roll (which has an average BN of
zero) and also *not* give the NPCs the advantage of worsening the attitude
level one step?

>>
>>It's interesting to note that the chapter on character interactions
>>never mentions being able to actively defend against Charm or
>>Persuasion, it's only in the description of the Willpower skill that
>>the original rulebook mentions it. The interactions chapter really
>>only mentions things like determining Attitude and Clearing Your Mind
>>as ways of setting DN and resisting the effects.
>>
>>--
>>Kansas Jim, Torg guru (ksjim (at) sdc (dot) org)
>>Torg website: http://www.sdc.org/~ksjim/index.html
>>_______________________________________________
>>Torg mailing list
>>Torg at justintimeadventures.com
>>http://www.justintimeadventures.com/mailman/listinfo/torg

Yeah, I picked up on that.  Luckily I ultimately find an RPG system a tool
for running a game, but not a straightjacket.  ;)

-Benn Grant
eFix Computer Consulting
benn at 4eFix.com
603.283.6601