Fate Point questions

[Wordmaker]

I've got two questions about Fate Points I'm not entirely clear on from reading the rules.

1: When the GM spends his NPC's Fate Points to help them operate against the PCs, like getting a +2 bonus on an attack roll against them, does the Fate Point get discarded or go to the PC being attacked?

2: At the end of a full scenario (as opposed to just between sessions), if a PC has more Fate Points than their Refresh Level, do they keep them or does it re-set to the Refresh Level. It seems to me that having it re-set is good, because it means players can feel free to let loose with their Fate Points at the climax of a scenario.

[Papa Gruff]

I've got two questions about Fate Points I'm not entirely clear on from reading the rules.

1: When the GM spends his NPC's Fate Points to help them operate against the PCs, like getting a +2 bonus on an attack roll against them, does the Fate Point get discarded or go to the PC being attacked?

As I understand it gets discarded. It's best if you make notes on how many fate points your NPC have, but that really only makes sense for the high level opposition. Low level NPC will only have one fate point anyhow.

2: At the end of a full scenario (as opposed to just between sessions), if a PC has more Fate Points than their Refresh Level, do they keep them or does it re-set to the Refresh Level. It seems to me that having it re-set is good, because it means players can feel free to let loose with their Fate Points at the climax of a scenario.

At any refresh the players get to keep all the points they have earned. If that's more then their refresh they get nothing. If their refresh pool is only half full, then they get only refreshed to their adjusted refresh level.

I would argue that if there is a lot of off screen time between the scenarios then it should get reset, because the PC would spent the points over the time. The rules are a bit flexible when it comes to fate refreshes. It is something that is worth discussing with the group. I'd say don't worry to much. You should be able to make your PC spent most of the points they have at the end of a cool scenario.

[Wordmaker]

As I understand it gets discarded. It's best if you make notes on how many fate points your NPC have, but that really only makes sense for the high level opposition. Low level NPC will only have one fate point anyhow.

I used poker chips for Fate Points at our game this weekend, so I was able to keep a stack for each of the significant NPCs who had some. I was passing the points to the players when I spent them, though. Probably made things a little easier for them. I think I'll stick to discarding them in the future. We all love compels anyway, so there'll be no shortage of Fate Points.

At any refresh the players get to keep all the points they have earned. If that's more then their refresh they get nothing. If their refresh pool is only half full, then they get only refreshed to their adjusted refresh level.

I would argue that if there is a lot of off screen time between the scenarios then it should get reset, because the PC would spent the points over the time. The rules are a bit flexible when it comes to fate refreshes. It is something that is worth discussing with the group. I'd say don't worry to much. You should be able to make your PC spent most of the points they have at the end of a cool scenario.

I think in our game, only one character has more Fate than her Refresh, and it's only one point more. There was a fair amount of Fate Point-slinging going on at the end, and the only reason she hadn't spent more of hers was because she'd stayed with a wounded sister of another PC instead of going to take on the big bad guy.

[Papa Gruff]

You did everything right then. At the beginning of a scenario the players should earn a lot of fate to make the situation tens and exiting. When it comes to the show off with the baddies the earned fate should get spend fast and the refresh issue shouldn't be a huge problem...

[surarrin]

So, if an NPC compels a PC's aspect, does the PC get the fate point, and visa versa?

[Wordmaker]

I don't think NPCs can compel a PC's Aspects, only the GM can.

A PC, however, can compel an NPC's Aspects, I think, and in those cases the NPC gets the Fate Point.

One of the best moments of our game was early on, when I compelled the wizard to try and keep the rookie Knight of the Cross out of things, and also compelled the Knight to insist on being involved. It forced our first Social Conflict, which was hugely entertaining, and helped us all get a firmer grasp of the mechanics.

[Papa Gruff]

So, if an NPC compels a PC's aspect, does the PC get the fate point, and visa versa?

Yes. That's a different story. I think the point goes from the NPC to the PC, but technically it's just a GM Compel. When I'm running the game I wouldn't bother keeping notes about this.

It's more important when the Aspect gets invoked which could in some cases can be done by NPC. Commonly invoking others Aspects happens between PC so I'm not sure if this is an issue after all.

[JustinS]

I've got two questions about Fate Points I'm not entirely clear on from reading the rules.

1: When the GM spends his NPC's Fate Points to help them operate against the PCs, like getting a +2 bonus on an attack roll against them, does the Fate Point get discarded or go to the PC being attacked?

I think that depends on how they spend the Fate point. If they are invoking an aspect on the PC, then the fate point goes to the PC after the scene ends (and if the PC does the same, the NPC gets one). If you invoke your own, or tag a fresh aspect you placed for free, then no one gets a Fate point.