Flexibility in Scripting

[Rindu]

First of all, I ran a combat demo with two friends the other day, and I am very impressed with this system! It has a very different feel, when actually playing with it. Just reading the books gives the impression that BW is a complex, clunky system, but it actually runs quite smoothly. Not only that, but my two friends were Instantly Converted. This game really speaks for itself in actual play.

Okay, now to the question: One of my friends was playing Dunif, and I was playing Quenesh. He was sprinting at me, while I shot at him with my bow. After a while, I threw my bow down and drew my knife, sprinting at him at the amazing speed of 7 paces per volley! He was totally shocked and didn't know what to do. So, on the next exchange, he didn't script any actions at all. So, for the first volley, he did nothing, and, based on what I did, he scripted one acton each for the second and third volleys. So basically, his actions were halved for that exchange (we decided it was as if he had rescripted).

Did we rule this correctly?

[Kublai]

1) Count any blank or unscripted actions as Hesitation.

2) Do not begin an Exchange until all actions and all volleys are scripted.

3) The only way to add or change an action once the Exchange begins is to forfeit a later action from a later Volley.

The idea of the Scripting system is to allow simultaneous actions. This cuts out the reactionary play that a lot of other systems encourage. No more, "He does this, well I do this even though I was going to do this other thing!"

As you have seen, if you stick to the scripts, combat becomes a LOT more dramatic and absorbing.

So, why didn't the Dwarf continue his charge? He could've gotten a butt load of bonus dice for charging for so long! He would've run down that elf like a tank over a daisy! :twisted:

[Rindu]

So, why didn't the Dwarf continue his charge? He could've gotten a butt load of bonus dice for charging for so long! He would've run down that elf like a tank over a daisy! :twisted:

Well, we started 20 paces from one another, and Dunif sprints at 2 paces per volley! I think he just got scared...mwahaha! I sprinted faster than he expected, so he stopped moving and set for his strike. I successfully avoided in then started stabbing him (first blood!) Quenesh's speed is so high he couldn't get outside.

Thanks for the answer...we're still learning! We're now hoping to force a Regime Change in our regular RM group.

[Kublai]

I think he just got scared...mwahaha!

Frickin' awesome! :lol:
DEFINITELY a failed Steel test! :wink:

[luke]

did i write about conditional actions in the book? I think I call them "Set Conditions". My brain is so foggy right now, I can't even remember the rules of the game.

How many dice do I roll?

Anyway, if your friend wants to give up his first volley to hesitation, that's fine. It's really not fair of him to start scripting in the second volley, but it doesn't break the game, either. He doesn't know what you're really going to do, and he's really risking his characters life.

Still, it's not a habit I'd fall into. It allows for too many "exceptions" and potential arguments. If he wants his Dwarf to wait, script "wait." If he wants his character to then follow the elf script "Follow Elf/Sprint" in the next volley.

But you've really got to focus on "WHAT WOULD YOU DO?" Build the if/then statement. It's only for 3 seconds.

hope that helps more than confuses,
-L

[Rindu]

did i write about conditional actions in the book? I think I call them "Set Conditions". My brain is so foggy right now, I can't even remember the rules of the game.


Yep, found it, thanks.