More questions about Burned Over

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More questions about Burned Over
« on: November 30, 2020, 06:09:33 PM »
In another thread, Vincent mentioned:

"Barter works like a stat now, measuring your ongoing economic position, which is like a combination of flow-of-resources through you versus your social footprint in the surrounding society. It doesn't go up and down as you spend and gain like cash. Instead, it tells you how much of a hassle it is for you to buy things every time."

Question: When the Operator in our group chose his scavenge it resulted in a Barter Stat of 4-barter. The Burned Over Zine lists the Barter rating for different items and services, including 3-value or more for vehicles and structures. So, let's imagine he is buying some type of structure, the Operator should have the "jingle on hand to cover it, no debt, no sweat, thanks for doing biz." Is this correct?

How about if he then wants to buy some tools for 2-barter. Once, again, he has 4-barter so he should also be able to have the "jingle on hand to cover it, no debt, no sweat, thanks for doing biz."

The root of my question being: If the character has 4-barter they should be able to get all these things. There would be very few things they don't have the jingle for. Is that the correct read?

Of course, as we continue to play to find out, the items acquired could then become a Threat, the Operator's reputation could suffer from the transaction, etc. etc. I get all that. I just want to make sure I am understanding how the Burned Over Barter system functions.

Second question
Doing Battle: let's say the result of the roll is the character gets 3 hold and the NPC gets 2 hold. As MC, do I explicitly announce what the NPC is using their hold on or do I just describe it though the fiction?

Also, if the PC seizes the initiative and "Takes a quick action" what are some examples of what they would want to do? This isn't making a whole new move is it? The actions are just fictional actions or something else? The player struggled with this one in session 1 so I want to be able to provide them with clarity at the beginning of session 2.

Thanks for the help! We are really loving the Drowned City location!

*

lumpley

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Re: More questions about Burned Over
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2020, 09:39:13 AM »
First question:
Basically yes, but be sure to use "or more" for vehicles and structures, and be sure to use the value modifiers for good things, big things, etc.

So like, the Operator with 4-barter wants a swimming pool. They can buy a normal post-apocalyptic swimming pool for 3-barter. If they want it to be nice, that bumps it up to 4-barter; really nice bumps it up to 5. If they also want it to be big, now it's 5- or 6-barter.

Ultimately, with a rich Operator, they can easily buy anything, and you can just say yes, UNLESS what they want to buy is nice or unusual. Then you should cost it out.

Second question:
As MC, explicitly announce how the NPC is using their hold.

The quick action could be anything! It could be a whole new move, sure, as long as it's a quick action. (Acting under fire is the easiest example here, but there are any number of moves that could be a quick action that they might take.)

-Vincent