Another use for Force Points

[Golbez]

In a game I am running currently, I am adding another use for Force points, something I took from the Battlestar Galactica RPG.

I am FP's to be used as a way that the player can augment the plot in their favor. For example, storm troopers are coming down a canyon, and a PC wants to hide in an outcropping in the rocks… When there isn’t one there, using a Force Point can allow the player to augment the terrain I designed to allow them this partial or full cover.

It allows them to be more involved in the game design, rather then being led by the nose.

Thoughts and Suggestions?

[vong]

It is a good idea, but I can see it messing up plots horribly for the DM...
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[Matthias777]

What rules would you use to limit it, though?
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[Golbez]

It can, and it has. But, it makes the GM think more on his/her feet just like a player.

Adds to the fun for me as a GM I suppose.

[vong]

I already have enough fun trying to send PCs in evil directions

b@st@rd* always get away tho
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[Golbez]

vong: lol, I hear ya.

I have no set rule for this system, I just use my own judgment on what they have to work with at the time.

[vong]

Now this can work, But more often then not I see this causing more hassle for the already complicated life of a gm.

If you instituted this, you have a clause attached to it - each addition is subject to GM approval. That way if its alright, they just want to do it, thats fine. But if you are sending them to the end of the canyon, then there is no ledge as a greater power is hiding them all
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[Golbez]

Every point spent is subject to GM approval. I make tough scenarios sometimes, and the idea of gaming is not for the GM to win, but for everyone to have fun.

This is the same reason, that I play out our NPC's. It adds to the dynamic element of the group, and all in all, it is just good fun.

Now that being said....

I've countered a Plot augmentation with one of my own too. My ally is thinking on the fly... and a powerful ally it is.

[Ankhanu]

I'm not sure I like that idea... but, you and I have different gaming styles too.

I can see how it works, as a game mechanic, at least, but I don't like what it implies about the nature of Force Points and how characters (not players) interact with them. Mechanically, it's kinda sensible, give up an in-game advantage for a favouring plot device... but in-story I'm not sure that I'm down with it.
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[Golbez]

I wanted it more to be an exchange of in game advantages.

Give up one benefit for another.

I toyed with giving out "plot points" but then they were just other advantages to earn and use, without the loss of anything.

I eventually settled on Force points because it would be the nature of the force to guide someone into a scenario with a slight advantage. Even non-force sensitives occasionally get "hunches".

[Ankhanu]

True. It would require a lot of thought before spending one in this manner, which is also a positive thing.
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[cheshire]

It's funny, because in my games I usually tell the players that they automatically have an effect on the terrain. If I haven not specified whether or not something mundane is in a room, it's there. For example if the characters are trying to baracade a door, they are allowed to say, "I move the bookshelf in the room in front of the door." If it's logical for a bookcase to be in that room, I let them create it. If it doesn't make sense, like if they were in an Ewok hut, then I won't let them.

Sometimes there's a bit of friendly competition with the creation of items. They may say, "I dive behind this previously unmentioned crate for cover." Then I may say, "You dive for cover, escaping the blaster bolts... though you quickly realize the crate is marked, 'EXPLOSIVES.'

If someone says, "Is there anything I can dive behind for cover," I'll occasionally say, "I don't know... let's find out. Call odds or evens!" And then I roll a die.

Of course, I'm a pretty dastardly GM, so don't listen to me.

[vong]

[masque]

[garhkal]