Player game control in BASH

[Baelor]

OK. I have a guilty admission to make: I have been playing in a Marvel RPG game run by a friend of mine - and liking it. I know I would like it more in BASH, and that is not just brand loyalty talking, as the Marvel game just does not work that well mechanically for me, but I am glad to play rather than GM for a change and the GM is running a fun game.

I have been thinking about whether there are any things that Marvel does that BASH could use. One of the things that I like in Marvel is that players can choose to invoke a limitation on a power set to gain a Plot Point [ the currency of the game mechanic - Like Hero Points for BASH in many ways].

In Marvel the player chooses when this comes up - for example:

Captain America desperately throws his shield to stop an energy blast that would strike a teammate. The players chooses to have the shield be 'deactivated' for a period in order to increase his chances to accomplish this feat. he gains a bonus to his roll and in exchange the shield bounces away down a hallway after Cap's player makes the roll to block the shot. Then Cap has to take an action to retrieve the shield before it is ready again.

I like this as an option - the player chooses to accept an evocative limitation at a timely moment in order to gain some advantage in play. I think that this is readily lootable as a concept for BASH. Here is the basic mechanic I am thinking about :

Subject to GM approval, a player may choose to evoke a Disadvantage or Limitation on their turn as a free action. The player describes how the Disadvantage or Limitation comes into play, and, if the GM allows it, the character immediately is rewarded with a Hero Die. Hero Dice gained in this way do not accumulate from session to session.

Examples:

Limitation - Item: easily taken - Ankh leaps to the defense of a vampire's victim wielding his signature weapon, after driving back the undead monster that menaces the victim, the player states that the master vampire grabs the weapon and laughs contemptuously as he tosses it aside - the Player receives a Hero Die and must take some action in future turns to retrieve the item before he can use it again.

Limitation - Deflection: burnout - Moonscar dodges desperately to evade the hail of bullets from a horde of minions. The player decides that the bullets tear his Mantle of Moonlight to shreds. The burnout on Deflection triggers automatically [without a roll] and Moonscar's player gets a Hero Die.

Disadvantage - Ward: Precocious Little Sister - Adrenalynne is on patrol in her neighbourhood when she spies a drug dealer on the corner sporting the tats and colours of a new gang. She drops from the rooftops to confront the gangster. The GM states that the thug draws on Adrenalynne. Adrenanalynne's player adds that little sister Miki steps out of the shadows sporting a new tattoo. The GM approves the addition to the scene and Adrenalynne's player gets a Hero Die.


I want to point out that this mechanic would not replace the regular rules for a Disadvantage or Limitation, just add to them. So a player could roll for Burnout normally, or choose to have it happen automatically for a Hero Die. It may be that, depending on the game, this becomes too tempting, in which case a limitation of once or twice per session might be necessary. Another possible limitation is to require that the Hero Die be used in the current panel, or the current encounter.

One of the big bonuses to this approach is that it lets the player tell the GM what they want to have happen to their character. It also means that the player becomes partially responsible for bringing in their disadvantages and Limitations. As a GM, try as I might I have trouble keepiing them all straight and applying them - even though I have a list of them all on my desktop when I run a session.

It does mean that the GM surrenders some control of the action, but that is often a good thing - especially if it allows for more player 'buy-in' to their character and the game.

So, any thoughts?

[BASHMAN]

Sounds very cool; but an entire Hero Die might be too heavy some of the time, but in general it's very cool sounding. I could see some players trying to abuse this, though.

This definitely is something that would be worth mentioning in a BAM! article if you want to develop it more, since all you are really doing is "tagging" a Limitation or Disad that already exists.

[Baelor]

The thing I like most about it is that it gives more control to the players. I too could see some players trying to game it, and optional rules for GM control of that might well be in order. Changing the level of award from a Hero die to something a little less is another way to go.

I intend to try it out in my group and see where it goes.

After that, I would be happy to work it up as a BAM article if you like.

[MrJupiter]

The thing I like most about it is that it gives more control to the players. I too could see some players trying to game it, and optional rules for GM control of that might well be in order. Changing the level of award from a Hero die to something a little less is another way to go.

I intend to try it out in my group and see where it goes.

After that, I would be happy to work it up as a BAM article if you like.

Excellent! I'd love to see it. That example of Cap loosing the benefit of his shield for a page or two in order to gain a needed bonus this action is a great one. I think it would be cool for players to have the ability to give input like this. A little trade-off there, for some help right here when its needed most! This could serve as another great way to encourage players to think creatively during the game.

[BASHMAN]

And honestly, how often does "Easily Taken" come up in game? It's pretty rare that people get disarmed like that; so letting the player "push the button" on that is one way to make it happen.

Maybe have it be a range of Hero Points that can come up, and the Narrator decides; from say 1-5 Hero Points? 5 Hero Points = a die; so that'd still be an option.