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Social Skills Opposed Test Rules?

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Tue, 2010-06-15 13:31
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trechriron trechriron's picture
Social Skills Opposed Test Rules?
The following skills list an Aptitude formula for the opposed test versus a social skill. “vs. Social” Aptitude formula (WIL x 2) + SAV. (In the book it’s WIL + WIL + SAV) Skills using it; • Intimidation • Protocol • Persuasion (uses the same formula but also discusses using the skill in an opposed test) Why wouldn’t you use the social skill in the opposed test? Why was this Aptitude formula chosen instead of a Skill/Default? I think for my games I will be using the Skill OR the “vs. Social” formula, whichever is higher. Thoughts?
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Trentin C Bergeron (TreChriron)
Bard, Dreamer, Computer Nerd, & RPG Enthusiast
October Northwest

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Tue, 2010-06-15 15:51
Decivre Decivre's picture
Re: Social Skills Opposed Test Rules?
trechriron wrote:
The following skills list an Aptitude formula for the opposed test versus a social skill. “vs. Social” Aptitude formula (WIL x 2) + SAV. (In the book it’s WIL + WIL + SAV) Skills using it; • Intimidation • Protocol • Persuasion (uses the same formula but also discusses using the skill in an opposed test) Why wouldn’t you use the social skill in the opposed test? Why was this Aptitude formula chosen instead of a Skill/Default? I think for my games I will be using the Skill OR the “vs. Social” formula, whichever is higher. Thoughts?
Being good at a social skill does not necessarily make you good at resisting its effects. If I'm persuasive enough to get into someone's pants, that doesn't necessarily mean I'm also capable of preventing someone from getting into my pants. On the other hand, the Willpower attribute already reflects your mental ability to avoid caving to pressure... psychologically and socially. Thus, it fits perfectly for resisting the effects of a soothing tongue and impressionable statement.
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Transhumans will one day be the Luddites of the posthuman age. [url=http://bit.ly/2p3wk7c]Help me get my gaming fix, if you want.[/url]
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Tue, 2010-06-15 22:18
trechriron trechriron's picture
Re: Social Skills Opposed Test Rules?
Thanks for responding! I have mixed feelings about your response. On one side, I have heard that sales people can be more susceptible to a sales pitch. :-D On the other, in movies and on t.v., super spies are better at seeing through other super spies. Not sure. Part of me says use skills, but then defaults could be brutal. Using the higher of skill or the formula could be more "realistic" but adds complexity. For now, I am going to play it straight and add something on the character sheet for quick reference. Then after we've played it for a few, decide if it needs to be changed. If any one else or designers have an opinion, I am still curious the design decision for the Aptitude formula versus standard skill/default. :-D
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Trentin C Bergeron (TreChriron)
Bard, Dreamer, Computer Nerd, & RPG Enthusiast
October Northwest

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Tue, 2010-06-15 22:43
Decivre Decivre's picture
Re: Social Skills Opposed Test Rules?
trechriron wrote:
Thanks for responding! I have mixed feelings about your response. On one side, I have heard that sales people can be more susceptible to a sales pitch. :-D On the other, in movies and on t.v., super spies are better at seeing through other super spies. Not sure. Part of me says use skills, but then defaults could be brutal. Using the higher of skill or the formula could be more "realistic" but adds complexity. For now, I am going to play it straight and add something on the character sheet for quick reference. Then after we've played it for a few, decide if it needs to be changed. If any one else or designers have an opinion, I am still curious the design decision for the Aptitude formula versus standard skill/default. :-D
Of course spies are good at seeing through spies... but remember, deception rolls are resisted with kinesics, not WIL+WIL+SAV like the others. However, being a good spy who knows the arts of seduction and intimidation does not make you resistant to seduction and intimidation... it only means you know that someone is seducing or intimidating you and how they are going to do it. Think of torture as a good example of this... does knowing how to torture someone make you resistant to torture, or just let you guess easily what they're going to do to you and how much it'll hurt?
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Transhumans will one day be the Luddites of the posthuman age. [url=http://bit.ly/2p3wk7c]Help me get my gaming fix, if you want.[/url]
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