Moves from another playbook question

  • 4 Replies
  • 3342 Views
Moves from another playbook question
« on: October 14, 2012, 08:01:25 PM »
Is it okay to stack the same effect multiple times? For example, taking both Merciless (from the Battlebabe playbook) and Bloodcrazed (from the Gunlugger) to inflict +2 harm whenever you inflict harm?

Re: Moves from another playbook question
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2012, 08:09:37 PM »
It seems possible for the character to walk the path of violence with a +2 to damages. Such a bloodcrazed and merciless character must always apply the damages. He cannot choose not to be so violent and it's really really annoying...

A two edged sword to be such a badass!

Re: Moves from another playbook question
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2012, 08:12:53 PM »
True enough :) The character in question carries a grenade launcher, too, so... oh dear...

6 harm area is enough to give anyone pause.

Re: Moves from another playbook question
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2012, 06:51:47 AM »

Yes, the effects can definitely be stacked. As pointed out, it means that the PC will most likely kill any NPC s/he does even incidental harm to, which should delight good MCs everywhere.

I think it's also worth thinking about how the two traits are different, descriptively, and how that reflects on the PC and their attitude towards violence. On the face of it, 'merciless' and 'bloodcrazed' may be somewhat incompatible as adjectives go, so what is it that is going through this PC's mind when they commit violence? Is their merciless edge the result of training that remains active even as they give in to the glorious madness & blood? Or is there something about the kind of crazy they get, once a fight starts, that results in them acting completely without mercy?

Taking both traits is obviously mechanically interesting, at a baseline, but I think it's the job of all the players involved (MC included) to also consider how it may be fictionally interesting. I mean this PC is basically as effectively-violent as it is possible to be in AW -- maybe the Maelstrom has some questions to ask him/her about that?

Re: Moves from another playbook question
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2012, 07:49:34 AM »
In ApocalypseQuest one of the characters, an Imperial Officer, has this move:

For the Empire!: When you inflict harm against enemies of the Empire, inflict +1harm.

The player can use it any time, but it means that if the opponent wasn't actually an Enemy of the Empire before, they and likely their friends and allies certainly are now!

Simon Hibbs