So, just GM’d my first session of BitD (first time GMing anything, yikes!). Had a great time. Definitely kept me on my toes, but looking forward to our next session. Couple questions came up from that first session, though:
1) How “binding” are the results of an Engagement roll? My group’s first Score involved ambushing a group of Lampblacks en route to a deal with the Fog Hounds. Their plan was to hit the Lampblacks as they were crossing a bridge into the Docks, steal their clothes and Coin, and then pose as Lampblacks to complete the deal.
They got a 6 on their Engagement roll, so I figure, “Cool, Controlled position to start.” The group’s Hound is set up in a prime sniping position overlooking the bridge, with the group’s Cutter lying in wait ahead. The Lampblacks take the bridge as expected, wary but not anticipating any trouble. Rather than just jump the Lampblacks, however, the Cutter swaggers up to them, blocks their way, and demands that they “pay the toll.”
Huh.
I gave him Controlled position for his Command roll (they’d earned it), but mulling it over, it seemed a pretty Desperate thing to do. I mean, it’s one guy, threatening a bunch of armed, hardened thugs on their own turf. That… seems pretty dangerous. Made me wonder what the best practice is when players are given an optimal situation but do something that potentially squanders their opportunity (say, during a Social operation, the players get a 6 on their Engagement roll and then inexplicably decide to Wreck something to impress their affluent host; still Controlled?).
2) What’s a good way to do traps? Once the fighting broke out, one of the Lampblacks went after the crew’s Leech, who’d been hiding off to the side, trying (and failing) to use his blowgun. He quickly flashbacked to setting up a snare near his position that would string up anyone who came after him. I thought it was a cool idea, but I wasn’t immediately sure how to play it out.
I wound up having him to a Tinker roll to craft the trap (minimum Tier 2); I had him pay Stress, wasn’t sure if I should’ve had him pay Coin instead. I then used the trap’s Quality (2) in a Fortune roll to determine its effectiveness. Still, I wasn’t sure if I should’ve had the Leech do another roll (probably Tinker or Wreck?) to effectively place the trap beforehand. The way I did it doesn’t really take the target’s capabilities into account (are they able to see it, avoid it, etc.). Definitely not something I want the group abusing going forward.
1) This is an odd case. In my interpretation, they’re diverting from what they said their initial detail would be. They said it would be an ambush on the bridge, so the engagement roll says they’re in a Controlled position for an ambush, which they seem to be from your description. But if they switch it up and decide that they’re not ambushing them, then the engagement roll is no longer valid in my opinion.
If you don’t want to completely negate the results of the engagement roll, your player just walking up to the Lampblacks and asking them for money sounds like trading the Controlled position they had for greater effect. They still have them in a vulnerable spot, and the Lampblacks know that, so asking them for the money might be more effective than it would usually be. Straight up walking up to a stronger gang and asking them for money would usually be Desperate, Limited effect for me – perhaps your good ambush spot upgrades that to Desperate, Standard effect.
Regarding traps, players can spend Coin to upgrade the result of an acquire asset roll so I would have used that as inspiration for a ruling on the flashbacked Tinker roll IMG.
Fortune roll based off of the tier of the trap sounds right, but I would have used the Lampblacks tier to judge likely effect of the snare – that builds in some consideration for the savvy of the target and their ability to spot the trap or bull through it regardless.
On one, I’d respect the roll and call it controlled. Say there isn’t alot of risk of the Lampblacks escalating the situation. I’d also make it very clear to the Cutter that the effect is very much limited, and even a crit won’t net much more than a “Ha ha, begger, here’s some change for the laugh.” Maybe it allows him controlled position for a follow up action, or can function as a set up for the hound, getting one of the Lampblacks lined up for a clearer shot, increasing his effect.
The way I read it, engagement rolls are binding in the sense that since the group has already decided a plan and a detail for that plan, the engagement roll tells you how to frame the scene in which they follow those decisions.
The player have committed themselves to begin with that plan, and at least one of them is already doing something according to the plan (hence the initial position): after that, they can change approach however they like.
In you case, however, I’d say that threatening an ambush to extort money is still an assault plan (as ambushing someone), so there’s no problem with the engagement roll.
Thanks for the replies! Yeah, the opening intimidation was a tricky situation, especially since the Cutter didn’t want to let on that he wasn’t alone; it was less “My crew and I are ambushing you!” and more “I, by myself, am trying to shake you guys down.” I considered going the “It’s Controlled because they’re not taking you seriously… yet” route, but then the crew’s Slide opted to flashback to a Lampblack bar and talk up the Cutter’s reputation beforehand to increase the effect.
Tyler Hitchings That’s a great use of a flashback there! kudos to your Slide.
I would love more info on this 😀