This was a topic brought up in passing with a fellow GM (about a different game, though), so I was curious what people here have thought up:

What is your favourite, most interesting, or downright strangest idea you've used or run into that gives a purpose behind the powers taken?

Added note: if you had to tweak rules (like use a variant of a Hunger Track for a viral-type power), what did you tweak and how did it work out?

I know some time ago there was a discussion about how to stat a tank, but if I remember correctly, that was more for statting a single vehicle.

This thread is not only for ways to STAT the vehicle, but how to handle combat between pilots/crew. I ask due to the discussions on various kitbashing discussions as well as the period-specific discussion.

The only way I am aware of offhand is the version in Strands of Fate (not exactly 100% compatible with DFRPG), where you "stat" our a vehicle by doing the following:

1) Decide what the vehicle is.
2) Determine Size (impacts cost, equipment usable, cargo capacity, etc)
3) Give it 1-2 Aspects (think High Concept)
4) Assign "Abilities" (vehicles have 7 skills to select from/use. Roll this skill. Skills include Crew, Maneuverability, Structure, Sensors, Speed, Systems, and Weapons).
5) Specialty Aspects (more Aspects to flesh out what it can do)
6) Vehicular Advantages (make it more expensive, add special abilities; think Powers, but really nitpicky, like requiring a "mobility" power to be able to move at all)

When taking an action, you used the skill rating of the vehicle (Maneuverability for dodging, for example) and not the character's skill.

It has it's own stress boxes and consequences, and acts as a character in all regards.


The only other thing I can think of is making a sub-character, so to speak, by using the Extras chapter of Fate Core.

Does anyone have any experience with this, or any ideas to offer?

I've been doing some preparation for some games for an anime convention (separate discussion to be posted later if needed/time permits), and I'm working on mapping out a few characters from popular/recent anime. Some of the more spellcaster-types aren't clearly cut in DFRPG rules due to the odd things they are capable of, and I began to wonder if the rules of Sponsored Magic fit better for some of these more "dramatic" styles of gameplay.

One of the examples that stands out the most was due to a discussion with another GM regarding the series Fate/Stay Night. The main character, Shirou, works with "projection magic," where he can "trace" an object, reinforce it, and can conjure things by creating them in his mind. He starts off slow (perhaps doing it with Thaumaturgy's multiple actions for a spell) but then can create powerful objects as an action. My thought was using the rule mechanics Sponsored Magic for such an effect (just without the benefits of the sponsor).

Another was a character from the relatively new Fate/Zero, as his magic involved using insects. His attack spells threw waves of bugs, the bugs would "provide mana" (i.e. take consequences and stress for spells), and he had access to some Thaumaturgy effects. While it can be argued that his magic is just insect themed (a simple variant of channeling and just a flavor of Thaumaturgy), I think the Sponsored approach fits in a bit better.

I don't have my notebook of anime characters with odd magic with me at the moment, so I can't offer more than that (although I can say I think I've already settled most of the medieval series and Full Metal Alchemist without relying on Sponsored Magic).

If anyone has any thoughts on this, or what other things they've done with Sponsored Magic to get the right feel of a specific effect for a setting or character, I would love to hear it!


--Crion

I'm up for discussing this idea in general, but for starters, I have this one that came up:

One of the players in one of my games asked about the concept of "combining" elements together to create things such as cold fire or flames of shadow.

Personally, I'm looking at just making it count as whatever element is should act like (in this case, fire) but just have the narrative flavor. The only thought against this involves two events from the books: when Harry burns and freezes Red Court Vampires near the end of Changes, and in Cold Days when he , which makes me wonder if there is a mechanical way/benefit to mixing two elements together in a spell.

Anyone have any thought to this idea, or have their own similar situation they need to soundboard?

It's been a long while since I've been here, so sorry for starting a new random thread.

So, here's the situation: a player of mine wishes to have a character that blends sword and sorcery together for a more fantasy-oriented game that I am using the DFRPG (and FATECore) for.

He is looking for something that's closer to energizing the blade with an element/power and placing attacks. I mentioned using magic to place a maneuver and tag/invoke it, but that's the flavor he's going for. He's more for the "Coat the blade with energy and go to town."

I know most people here are against the idea of a persisting damage effect (use the defensive power rules and apply them to damage; i.e. 4 shifts of power becomes Weapon:2 for 2 rounds), but I'm hitting a wall for other options.

I was thinking of using the rules from FATECore's magic system (specifically the Callers: having it as a one-point power with one element, and do a flat Skill roll for the shifts of power he gets for an action or two), or simply making it a stunt with flavor text, but I'm not certain if either one fits without being unbalanced.


So, anyone run into something similar? If so, how did you hack the rules to make it work without going over the top?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

--Crion

As I've started to put together some of my villains, I have to wonder: is it possible to have multiple forms of Sponsored Magic?

To be specific, would it be possible to have Sponsored Magic from a solid sponsor (Hellfire, (Un)Seelie Magic, etc) and a more vague "sponsor" (Leyline, Kemmlerian Necromancy)?

The current villain of the story is a Necromancer (has the equivalent of Kemmlerian Necromancy) who is in possession of a box that, rules-wise, would work like a Leyline. Would he have Sponsored Magic on his sheet twice, or do you believe that it should be limited to ONLY one sponsor?

Also, if you agree that it would be a second Sponsor, if the task at hand matched both agendas, how would you rule gaining Sponsor Debt? Would you limit it to only one sponsor, or would you just decide on it based on the plot?

Thanks for the input!

--Crion

Now that my game is running rather smoothly with the DFRPG rules, I'm curious as to how frequently other GMs implement the various milestones. Do any of you have a cut-and-dry view as to how frequently they occur, or do you have some details as to what you believe must occur before a milestone is given to the players?

--Crion