So one of my groups just hit wanted level 1. How do I factor this in? It seems to only matter for how long a player is imprisoned and (very minorly) their entanglements. Does it matter for anything else? Are bluecoats actively searching for them? Are inspectors putting together a case? Should I make clocks to do with them being wanted? How many segments?
I’m just having a hard time manifesting wanted level into the fiction. (They’re shadows who murder a lot)
It factors into entanglements at every downtime. Entanglements are heat+wanted level.
Also, as of v7 or so, we are instructed to heighten the response level within the context of each entanglement. So imprisonment terms are longer when Wanted level is higher, for example.
While not specifically stated, I also interpret this with the entanglements like so: “Reprisals” at Wanted level 0 might come from a tier 2 or whatever, but it’s just a small portion of their blades, not the entire gang. Whereas “Reprisals” at Wanted level 1 or more is a progressively stronger response.
I have little trouble with showing this too, since I am also a fan of a particular technique of description I learned was useful from Storyteller system APs, but also saw get used to great effect in the Bloodletters AP; something like a series of described comic book frames, or a TV show dramatic cut to “Meanwhile..” or whatever. For Wanted levels, it’s something like this:
“Outside your character’s observation, someone in law enforcement is diligently pursuing leads on crime in your neighborgood. Your characters have probably already imagined this moment, and realize that this is happening somewhere…
A bluecoat inspector throws a file on his crowded desk over a hand-scrawled note another bluecoat was working on. Just as its covered, the audience see the words ‘New gang in town? Little fish getting bigger? or little fish about to get eaten?’
Somewhere else, someone in the Crows is muttering about the trouble you’ve caused, and dreams of chasing your crew that night and getting into a fight.”
Then I smile and explain: “Welcome to Wanted level 1. Gold star for everyone!”
Per pg 18, “The higher your wanted level, the more serious the response when law enforcement takes action against you.” Consider the Wanted Level’s namesake, a player’s wanted level in GTA/etc: when the Bluecoats are after you, the Wanted Level is the level of the opposition.
If the crew gets Bluecoat attention during a score, the Wanted Level could be how many, and how elite, Bluecoats respond to it. At WL 0, maybe the Bluecoats just give you a token chase, or a beating, or are amenable to bribes. At WL 3, the Bluecoats come out with a force of heavily-armed troopers. At WL 4, maybe the Imperial Military gets involved.