Changing Action Types in Trollbabe

[Supplanter]

I may have asked and gotten this answered in the other thread, but I don't think so. The PDF says that after the initial series, the Trollbabe has the possibility of changing Action Types for the conflict. Are there any restrictions or conditions on this or is it entirely subject to the player's will?

Thanks,


Jim

[Ron Edwards]

Hi Jim,

Actually, that's something that's tagged for serious review and possible change for the book version.

For instance, it's a given that whoever calls the Conflict states the Action Type, and although other Types may be added, (a) the initial one can't be changed and (b) the GM has veto power over all additions.

Yet then there's the slightly tossed-off line you're referring to: that in a 3-series or 5-series conflict, the player can ... just change it. That sounds awfully loosey-goosey compared to all the constraints listed above.

Now, my thinking is that once the Action Type(s) are settle for the dice to start rolling, you're freaking stuck with it or them until the whole conflict is over, no matter how many series are involved.

The less-savage version would be, keep the rule as written, but use the same GM veto-power as in the initial conflict-statement. Therefore this rule would only show up when player had not asked for an additional Action Type previously, but now decides to do so, and the GM says, "Sounds reasonable" because it does.

But that whole business of changing the original Action Type just sounds like a bad idea to me now.

Best,
Ron

[Supplanter]

But that whole business of changing the original Action Type just sounds like a bad idea to me now.

Ooh, I don't know about that. I really like the concept of changing Action types. Bill, for instance, thinks of it in terms of Conan stories: Conan weathers the initial brunt of a mystical assault (first series, Magic Action Type), then girds himself to hack off the head of the wizard/demon/etc. (second series, changes to Fighting Action Type). I'm just not comfortable with it being a completely at-will thing.

Since I am all into sacrifice mechanics and resource expenditures after my year of Nobilis and MURPG, I'd like to see something akin to the re-roll system - e.g. you can switch Action Types within series IF you invoke a particular option from a short list. Maybe you even use the same list and simply add this further expansion of what it does: between series, you can check off a relationship or condition box and declare a change in the Action type.

Just an idea.

Best,


Jim[/i]

[Lxndr]

Somewhere I heard the suggestion of ALWAYS switching action types.  So you HAD to go "Fighting/Magic/Fighting/Magic" or vice-versa.  I'm not sure how Social would fit in there, but I've never been too keen about the third action type.