Is participating in a group action optional? Specifically: Can a group action consist of only the PCs up for the risk (like those with skill ratings of one or higher) or must everyone present for the action participate in the roll?
Is participating in a group action optional?
Is participating in a group action optional?
The group action rules are all optional 🙂
Thanks, Nathan Roberts . I should’ve read “each PC who’s involved”, duh.
I think the idea is that if a PC wants to benefit from the fictional outcome of the group action, then they are participants in it, but if they don’t need the effect/progress it represents, then they don’t have to be involved. The example from the QS being an infiltration action. If you don’t care to have your PC join the others in accessing the place through the means represented by the roll, you don’t need to participate in the group action.
I am imaging a possible scenario where this would come into play, and separating one character out of a group action would comply with the rules, the spirit of the game, and the group’s benefit:
Adam, Bertha, Chuckles, and Ducky need to sneak through a patrolled area. It is actively patrolled by hostile guards, so it is a risky situation.Â
Adam is on point, leading a group action with Bertha and Chuckles. Each of the three have one die to roll. Ducky would get zero dice, and decides to hold back while the other three sneak through the danger zone. This minimizes stress exposure to Adam, as Ducky would have to choose the lesser of two dice.
I could even see Ducky aiding the group’s initial test getting across, by watching out for them as they scurry to the next point of cover, calling out hoarse warnings when they need to freeze or drop down for a moment. He wouldn’t be part of the group crossing, but could still aid them in their test and/or effect, and hopefully improving their position to slip him through a controlled challenge once they’re in position.
If the team makes it through safely, they leave Ducky behind cover at their old position, but now have a better vantage of the patrol. Now Bertha can take point and Overcome, helping Ducky sneak through a controlled challenge, since she can better predict the patrolling guards’ routine. This is nerve-wracking for the non-sneaky Ducky, but he tries hard, and can take a stress to contribute to the Overcome test.
If the initial attempt fails, Ducky is not exposed to the immediate danger of the failure, and may actually be in a good fictional position to react, charging from cover to blindside any guards closing in on Adam, Bertha, and Chuckles.
Yep, that’s right. Good examples!