Ah, I see. This is a definition of terms.
Active Defense is the rolling of your Defense score. During a normal attack and defense, some characters (the players, certain named NPCs with hero class levels, etc.) get a Reaction on a successful Defense. Reactions are completely random. For years I worked on how many Reactions do they know? How often can they do them? Etc.
I came down on you have access to all of them because you don't end up choosing the most powerful when that happens, and they trigger randomly, for the same reason, and you always get one on a successful Defense.
Because in real combat, you would do your power move every time if you could, but you can't, as that is often not the opening that happens in the chaos of a fight.
The randomness is about that opening, and your character taking advantage of it, rather than just choosing the most powerful thing every time. Otherwise, everyone would just Trip and Disarm every single time.
My goal in designing the game mechanic of Reactions (like most of my major ones) was three-fold:
1: Utilize an unused or underused and often overly costly system. (EitR Feat tax system did a similar thing, creating Combat Options, rather than Feats.)
2: Create a cinematic experience where descriptions were derived from actions rather than descriptions wanting to be cool, but being limited to not describing anything from Combat Maneuver Feats. (In other words, in RAW when you hit someone, or someone missed you, you couldn't describe it as "I grab him and drive him back to the wall, slamming him against it, knocking his sword out of his hand and then throwing him to the ground, as that would be a Bull Rush [used incorrectly as you can't "slam into objects"], a Disarm and a Trip. So you just ended up describing how you hit them. Again. On another part of their body.)
3: Create a system that you needed to respond tactically moment to moment, where the battlefield changed, forcing a change in tactics. In RAW, we run up, stand there and hit until someone dies. You rarely move. Combatants end up clustered. You don't use the range of an interesting battlefield. In our example, we used objects in the room (the cask of wine, netting, pots and pans, the table itself), and changed tactics, even trying things we wouldn't be likely to in RAW. Jacynta tackled Ezren and Disarmed him. Because an AoO isn't just damage, it's something different. Tuk was all over the battlefield, as he was Bull Rushed, Tripped, Shoulder Thrown...it was fun.
The systems I've worked on addressing are Combat Maneuvers (I created the Reaction system to address that), Magic (I changed how Metamagic works, and in turn some magic items, Counterspelling, variant magic, and pushing items) and I have another system I created for Initiative which is excellent, but too complex currently, so I don't use that one.
I'm torn on the Reactions.
On one hand I quite like the variety of things that can and did happen, it added that cinematic feel I think mittean is going for. It was fun!
On the other hand, it felt odd for my character to be doing these neat things without any input from me. I realize that's due to the nature of PBP, it's probably different face-to-face.
Maybe, letting us roll for the possible reaction on our turn. That way at least its our random chance that determines the action. It's a bit silly, but I'd probably feel better about it then ;)
Okay, here is an idea for you, Tuk.
I'm going to post the list of Reactions on the campaign paged under its own spoiler. During combat, each round if a player chooses to you can put 5 random rolls behind your spoiler.
For instance: , , , , .
That way you know, this round, if you are attacked and your Defense roll beats the attack roll, you will Reposition them. If you're attacked a second time, and your Defense roll beats the attack roll, you will steal something off them (a loose potion, or sheathed weapon, or something I'll determine). Third, you would break an enemy's potion. Fourth block their allies next attack with their weapon (you deflect their weapon into the path of their allies attack). And fifth you would impede their movement some.
This would allow you to have an idea of how you could respond. I'd still likely roll the Defense checks themselves, to avoid "pre-roll defenses" being awful, and a player chooses to hide this round or other meta-choice situations like that.
If you want to roll them, you do, and then I check against them when I attack you. Or if you want me to handle it, you don't post them, and I just roll.
That kind of fulfills both Tuk and Thuurvi's interest in input, while keeping Three's interest in ease and behind-the-scenes.
Keep in mind, I currently don't have Reactions for ranged attacks. (I am totally open to brainstorms, however). And if you have suggestions for Reactions to add to the list, propose them, and I'll consider them. Currently, there are 35, although that list will change naturally over time if we decide something just isn't working, or we add unique ideas.
Also, if something doesn't apply (you rolled Disarm, and it's a monk attacking you) I'll simply go to the next one. I think five is more than enough.
I replied that having it be a little random was fine...and my dying laptop ate the post in retribution.
Okay, I will have that list posted in the next two days on the Campaign Info tab.
For those of you that have not explored over there, there is an abundance of information.
- Hero points
- Hit Points, Vigor, and Wound points
- Defenses
- Reactions
- Attacks of Opportunity changes
- Combat Maneuver changes
- Crawling changes
- Handing or tossing an item to an ally ruling
- Potions, Scrolls & Wands changes
- Becoming arcanely, divinely, and psionically focused additions
The last three are for my use.
Okay, here is an idea for you, Tuk.
I'm going to post the list of Reactions on the campaign paged under its own spoiler. During combat, each round if a player chooses to you can put 5 random rolls behind your spoiler.
For instance: 1d35, 1d35, 1d35, 1d35, 1d35.
That way you know, this round, if you are attacked and your Defense roll beats the attack roll, you will Reposition them. If you're attacked a second time, and your Defense roll beats the attack roll, you will steal something off them (a loose potion, or sheathed weapon, or something I'll determine). Third, you would break an enemy's potion. Fourth block their allies next attack with their weapon (you deflect their weapon into the path of their allies attack). And fifth you would impede their movement some.
This would allow you to have an idea of how you could respond. I'd still likely roll the Defense checks themselves, to avoid "pre-roll defenses" being awful, and a player chooses to hide this round or other meta-choice situations like that.
If you want to roll them, you do, and then I check against them when I attack you. Or if you want me to handle it, you don't post them, and I just roll.
That kind of fulfills both Tuk and Thuurvi's interest in input, while keeping Three's interest in ease and behind-the-scenes.
Keep in mind, I currently don't have Reactions for ranged attacks. (I am totally open to brainstorms, however). And if you have suggestions for Reactions to add to the list, propose them, and I'll consider them. Currently, there are 35, although that list will change naturally over time if we decide something just isn't working, or we add unique ideas.
Also, if something doesn't apply (you rolled Disarm, and it's a monk attacking you) I'll simply go to the next one. I think five is more than enough.
That's a good compromise , I think
Awesome. I'm working on the list right now. I'd built my own excel file to generate one randomly.
I’m currently waiting on Three and Thalmor to post their days so I can write up a transition for everyone.
For some reason that was one of the hardest transitions, I've ever had to write. It just would not come out even remotely well. I re-wrote that thing three separate times.
Please make sure to keep rolls behind spoilers to keep the story clean. :)
"Hey! Where'd you learn to fight like that?" Thuurvi smiles as she nearly bumps into the halfling."[/b]
Hey everyone! Sorry the game has stalled for a few days, things were a little bit crazy at our house this week and Mittean is having some tech trouble and can't log in to Paizo. We're not gone, he'll be moving the game forward as soon as he possibly can! Thank you for your patience!
I will be out on vacation from Monday to Friday but will probably post in the evenings, because, you know, vacation wifi. ;)
Well shoot! :P
OKAY.
That was worth two $#!t$, one &^@*, and a glass of white wine.
That was THE most frustrated I have been in a while.
I have all of my passwords with a company. They are randomly generated, long-string passcodes, accessed through the app on my browser and my phone, through a Master passcode. Last week or so, they changed their business format...making it so the version I had gets passcodes on the phone OR the browser.
Clearly, that wouldn't work, so I purchased the premium version. This company has been absolutely great for a long time, with zero issues. But when I purchased the upgrade, all my passcodes on my phone disappeared, and the app on my browser stopped functioning...wouldn't let me even open the page, wouldn't auto-populate anymore...nothing.
Well, my partner was able to finally get it all resolved tonight. She is much more tech-savvy than I am, lol.
So...I'm back. A bit annoyed, and frustrated you were all in the lurch. Sorry about that.
My flow is interrupted, but I'm going to try to pick it back up again. Really quick ...everyone please indicate you're still here, I'm worried we may have lost someone.
Here! I mean, I'm on vacation so out half the time each day in wilderness, but here.
That's frustrating AF.
I'm still here!
So glad to hear it, both of you.
Yeah. I have been locked out of basically everything on my computer for a week. No STEAM, no emails...nothing. Absolute b%#&###s.
I know Jacynta is good. Looking for Tuk and Three.
Still here!
As an IT worker, I know very well the great benefits of technology....except when it doesn't work !!! :)
Glad you got it sorted.
Present!
I am here .
Sorry to hear about your tech worries.
I blame technomancers.
Brilliant, that is all of you, thanks!
Okay, I have a major meeting tomorrow and am picking up my daughter, but I'll have the next post up likely Friday or Saturday.
Ready! Ready to post!
Well, also ready to rest and then do annoying Sunday chores. :P Happy Easter to all who celebrate in whatever way!
Happy Easter as well. :)
Had a rough weekend. Had my daughter this weekend, and I've got some kind of infection (not COVID) that is wiping me, but I'm going to try to put something up tonight.
A new music track is up for the flight over Silver Lake.
Oh, bloody hell. I had a post I put up like two days ago...a big one. I saw it post and everything, did some editing on it after it posted (as I usually do). It was going over the information each of you had learned and set up the last part of this scene. It was apparently the last post on the last page, so when I didn't see it on the new page, I just assumed it was all there. I was wondering why no one seemed to be responding, so I just called for the next rolls...bugger.
Okay, I'll try to re-write that last one, and get it up within the day.
Also, Thalmor, you're writing as if we are all below decks...is that correct? We're all up top on the main deck, open to the air. You're uncomfortable, for sure, but we're not below decks with the crates and the pillar. We're talking about the pillar, but it is still stowed away in storage.
Just a mistake, I think. I was confused.
No worries. It's one of the inherent difficulties with PBP...when you misread something, or I don't write something clear enough, it is a little more "involved" to correct it than at a table. :)
I should have the next part up by tonight. I was up all night, so I need to go get some sleep. Then I'll finish this write-up.
Just waiting on Tuk and Jacynta. :)
Just so everyone knows, this weekend is full of second vaccines and birthdays. I’ll try to get a post up this evening, and at least one other this weekend, but I wanted everyone to know I’m case I get to busy.
Okay, we made it through. My girlfriend had her birthday and second vaccinations this weekend, and I was caring for her, and trying to focus on that. Tentatively I am aiming for a post this evening. Thanks for your patience, all!
Congrats! I keep hearing that 2nd vaccinations can really knock people down for a bit. Mine is on Mother's Day so I'm doing all the mom-things early.
I hope I'm not posting too much. I just got really psyched about this game :D
Not at all, Thuurvi. I'm so glad to hear it. I still struggle sometimes with thinking people might not like my brand of storytelling. So it's good to hear.
I ended up falling sick today, I think. I spent the day with chills and soreness all over my body. Hopefully, I feel better tomorrow. I think I just burned myself out this weekend.
Okay, feeling better. Getting the scene moving again. :)
I was stuck in internet outage hell for a bit there. Back!
Welcome back. :)
Everyone, I posted my crunch for Initiative. Don't worry about it, as I'll put up the post tomorrow. I'm off to sleep.
I just got the second vaccine today, so the next few days are of course uncertain. I’ve only had one major flash of nausea and some soreness, but we’ll see in the morning.
Until then, is everyone able to access the map and music links still at the top of every page?
Alright, I have been hit pretty hard with symptoms. I’ve been running a hot and cold fever, my body feels like it was run over by a train, I have a painful cough, a headache, and I can’t sleep well (when can I ever). Hopefully tomorrow is better.
Rest, rest, rest!
I'm a bit better this evening. A little food sick for some reason, yet starving. Still very sore, but the wet-blanket malaise that was covering me is gone. Should be back to full by tomorrow. Might post tonight.
I moved Thalmor to the lower level!
I moved Thuurvi as well!
Brilliant!
I slept for 12 hours, feeling much, much better. Working today but I should have something up by the end of the day!
I hope you all are able to stay safe, healthy, and vaccinated!
I finished up the second section of the write-up and posted it. Moving descriptions around in the combat to make it flow more uniformly was a solid endeavor. It's a fun read.
I made Thuurvi in HeroForge :P
Not even sure Oracles have a flame blasting spell unless they're a Flame Oracle with Burning Hands, but eh, atmosphere!
Excellent! She looks great! You should link her to the top of your character sheet.
please give me a spoiler of what your character's intentions are in this situation, and how you want to approach achieving that intention. (i.e. I want to kill all the orcs with my pointy sword; I want to solve this non-violently by trying to be diplomatic with them; I want to defend the passengers from dying by fighting anyone attackers off, and ignoring the rest of the attackers if they aren't attacking passengers; etc. - intention, and approach)
Thalmor wants to get off the ship alive, and will try to give them what they want, leaving them alone or being diplomatic as necessary.
If the iconics/party see fit to try and throw their lives away by fighting, he won't defend them, but he will try to stabilize them if they get knocked out.
However, if they start doing lethal damage to unarmed folks, he'll change his mind and start to engage.
Something like that?
That works perfectly, Jacynta.