FATE - Battletech 2950 Playtest Campaign [Closed] (Inactive)

Game Master Tareth

Hey DM, would I be able to swap out one of my med lasers for a heat sink we just found?

You can. Given you're currently in the field with no repair gantry and limited equipment, it'll be an Overcome(Tech) vs +4 to make the switch.

So the memory core said the cache was hidden somewhere within the warehouse facility. How are you going about a search? It is deliberately hidden, so it'll be an Overcome(Notice/Sensors/Investigate) Action beating a +4.

Also keep in mind that in FATE missing the roll by 1 or 2 may not result in outright failure, but instead the action might take longer, succeed but with an additional negative outcome or challenge, cause a stress or consequence, etc.

Finally, typically FATE points Refresh with each 'game session.' Since PbP doesn't really have sessions, I'm going to try refreshing after every combat scene. If that ends up being too much, I'll dial it back, but for now that should make it so you've got a few points for non-combat scenes. I'll also try to bring in more Compels as RP appropriate because those can get you FP's as well.

One thing I'm sort of confused on with Compels. Is it totally pointless for a player to Compel an environment Aspect, since GM has infinite FATE points? Or is it not pointless, since a Complication still gets generated that you (GM) have to Overcome? If the latter, does it cost a FATE point for me to propose the Compel? And, more importantly, how would that compare to simply Invoking the Aspect to give a +2 Passive Opposition?

For the pneumatic harpoon pistol I was thinking something like this...with Nilelane instead of Kevin Smith, but Jay is actually there for some reason.

One thing I'm sort of confused on with Compels. Is it totally pointless for a player to Compel an environment Aspect, since GM has infinite FATE points? Or is it not pointless, since a Complication still gets generated that you (GM) have to Overcome? If the latter, does it cost a FATE point for me to propose the Compel? And, more importantly, how would that compare to simply Invoking the Aspect to give a +2 Passive Opposition?

Nilelane: I'll do my best to put my understanding on how this would work. First and foremost, the GM doesn't have infinite FATE points. I haven't been able to find the exact ratio, but I believe the GM tends to get 2-3 FP per PC for the enemies to spend in any given encounter. So there is a finite number. Obviously just like PC fate points, these would refresh at the beginning of a new encounter for PbP rather than per session. I might also do something like adjust the number of FP's for enemy mech pilots based on their general 'rank'.

So Battletech has long used a Green, Regular, Veteran, Elite, type ranking system for mech pilots. I'm thinking Green pilots get 2 FP, Regular 3, Veteran 4 and Elite 5 or maybe more if they are heroic level type figures. (I doubt you'll meet any of those, but hey it depends on how long we go I suppose.)

So looking back through the FATE Core book, Compels are usually something either you propose for your own PC or the GM proposes for a PC or NPC. When Compelled a PC can choose to accept the Compel and get a Fate Point or pay a Fate Point and not take the Compel. Compels are meant to make that character's life more difficult by adding some complication based on an existing aspect. Now you can propose a Compel on another character but this costs you a Fate Point and the other player can still buy it off if they choose. So it may end up being a bit useless to Compel NPC's as a FATE could be better spent simply creating an advantage or attacking/defending.

But it is certainly possible. So for example you start with an environmental aspect like Tinder Dry Forest. Using that you could propose a Compel that goes something like "Because this is a Tinder Dry Forest, then it makes sense that firing lasers into it will cause a Surrounding Wall of Flames. to erupt." If you propose this on yourself you would get a FATE point and need to find a way to Overcome the flames. If you proposed it on another then it would cost you a FATE Point and the one being Compelled could choose to accept or not. If they do, then they would have to deal with the new aspect. Also keep in mind that the GM gets to Compel PC's for free.

Hopefully this helps clear it up a little. It is still a little murky in my own head so if not, just say so and I'll give it another try. :)

Thanks, I don't know why I was thinking FATE GM had infinite FATE points. I wasn't aware I could propose a GM to Compel my own character. I will probably try that soon.

Site is being excruciatingly painful today, will get something up asap.

Carlton are you still with us?

Yeah, sorry, my work schedule got turned around on me, six super long days in a row, will get caught up sometime today!

My job has been loading me up with OT and I see my last post got ate up if you need to write me out, I totally get it. If you can bear with me a day or two more even better. For sure want to learn FATE better either way. It's neat and great for PbP.

Carlton, no worries. Real life happens. I've been pretty swamped myself lately. Happy to keep you on board. We can just use the Urbanmech's fantastic speed to explain delays in getting into the fight. ;)

So you mentioned changing the base heat reduction to 4. What is my Commando's current heat reduction?

Yep. We're trying it with the base at 4. So your Commando would have a Reduction of 4 each round.

With that Sled Aspect, and if I'm not total scrap, I had the (zany, irrational, idiotic) idea that it could either get me an extra zone of movement or run without heat drain by blasting all my missiles in the opposite direction I want to go, Newton's 3rd Law style.

Carlton: No worries on the RL stuff. Congrats on the new job and sorry to hear about the need for a hospital visit. I hope they recover.

That all seems a bit odd, and I'm guessing there is potential to abuse the compel's but we will see.

Yes, interesting and weird. Seems one of those things that is probably better tabletop, when Refresh would happen every game session. In pbp, maybe something like 'only allow Compels during combat'? Dunno.

Apologies guys, busy last bit of work before summer break. Should be better after 20th.

Totally understand. Things have been pretty busy for me as well lately. I'm hoping things will calm down soon, but time will tell.

Hey all, I just wanted to check to see how everyone is doing on this game? I know we just had a holiday weekend and summer is getting underway but want to make sure you all are up for continuing. No worries if it moves a little slower, just want to make sure.

I'm certainly keen on continuing. If you need a break though or wanted to focus on something different I would understand.

So yeah, I guess its been more than 2 weeks since anyone else has posted. Certainly no hard feelings if you want to shutter this one.

Nilelane: Yep. It looks like we can go ahead and call this one done. Well it was meant to be more of a shorter play test anyway. If you get a chance, and feel like it, let me know what you thought of the FATE rules hack and how things worked in general.