No, you can't use a Force Point yet!

[Bren]

Sometimes an effective plot device is to have the players encounter the villain early in an adventure, but not have the players successfully confront the villain until the climax of the adventure. That can be difficult to arrange.

In addition, I find it can sometimes be helpful in SW to signal the players when using a FP might be dramatic and when it might not. Note that the rest of what I am going to say and the suggestions I will make is aimed at GMs and players that prefer a dramatic as opposed to realistic style of play. If you are into realism rather than drama, this House Rule is not for you.

One interesting idea I found from the Torg / Indiana Jones /Master Book games. The idea was that some scenes were dramatic scenes and other scenes were standard scenes. Now in Torg, in a standard scene, the player characters have the edge and the pace is quick and the action fast. While in a dramatic scene, your party is faced with a tough situation, or a conflict central to the story and the odds are initially stacked against the players.

I’ve thought of trying to use an idea something like this in SWD6, but with a twist. I envision three types of scenes.

Dramatic Scenes: players may use CP, FP, according to the rules. FPs used dramatically or unselfishly in a Dramatic Scene are regained at the end of the adventure. Dramatic Scenes are the only during the climax of an adventure or, in a long adventure, may also be at the key turning points leading up to the climax. Think Luke blowing up the Death Star.

Standard Scenes: players may use CP, FP, whatever according to the rules. Use of a FP in a Standard Scene may often result in the FP not being returned at the end of the adventure. Standard Scenes are most scenes in Star Wars. Think the Cantina Scene in Mos Eiseley.

Villain Scenes (don’t like this name, but haven’t thought of a better one): players may not use FP and may only use character points to avoid or decrease damage. This attempts to emulate the common dramatic trope that You Can't Thwart Stage One. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ptitlej908554evmk7?from=Main.YouCantThwartStageOne
This is the scene where the GM says, "No, you can't use a Force Point yet!"

Most scenes would be Standard Scenes. The first encounter (or first few encounters) with the major villain would be Villain Scenes. The climax and key turning points of the adventure would be Dramatic Scenes.

Thoughts?

[Grimace]

My thought: Call it "Introduction Scenes" rather than Villian Scenes.

My personal belief: I wouldn't want to say "you can't use a Force Point now" If the players think of something, use a Force Point and get lucky, then there's a chance they circumvent the whole plot line you had lined out. Good for them! It'll make the GM think more and rely less on plotted out adventures. Yes, this can cause major ulcers in some GMs, but it's good for growth as a GM.

But hey, if this works for you and your group, then go for it!

[garhkal]

I'm with Grimace... Now i will say that one thing i have picked up from other gms in my con group, is a system of hinting fo when a FP is needed or not.. ergo if say i have a baddie (not known but loves to shoot to maim or cause serious injury not death), and i get a real high dam roll over their soak, i might let them know if they say they are wanting to spend a FP or CP to not worry about it.
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[ZzaphodD]

Also, that early on in the adventure the Baddie might have his own set of force points (or easy access to the Dark Side) intact...
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My Biggest Beard Retard award goes to: The Admiral of course..

[Urban Spaceman]

How about "Reveal Scenes"?

But, generally, yeah, I can see it could be a problem if Princess Leia had spent a Force Point to blast Vader in the head when she was captured.
However, telling people they can't spend a Force Point doesn't sit too well with me either.

It's an interesting idea though. Please let us know how it works out.

[ZzaphodD]

[Bren]

“Introduction Scenes” is good, but won’t work well after the beginning of the adventure. “Reveal Scenes” could work midway through, but sounds a bit like the denouement rather than something towards the beginning and could also be confused with Cutaway Scenes. I guess I am still looking for a name I like.

[Bren]

[Grimace]

[garhkal]

[Bren]

garhkal, thanks for clarifying. That's very gentlemanly of you as a GM.

[garhkal]

It was oe of the things i picked up that the other gms in the group do...
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!