Social Weapons?

[LokiTM]

Reading the threads on social aspects of IoP has gotten me thinking. I have been mulling over a character concept for a pure human reporter. I am thinking about making someone who is a pure social combat specialist.

While picturing how I would use such a character, I kept picturing her using a camera in intimidating ways (i.e. "I have a picture of you drinking that person's blood just now").

What are your thoughts on treating the camera as a weapon +1 for social attacks where it makes sense?

Any other ideas for non-powered social weapons?

[Sanctaphrax]

I tend to use stunts and temporary aspects for this sort of thing. Otherwise it gets confusing.

[sinker]

I love it when players get creative. I like the concept of social weapons, but I'm not sure how great the camera is in and of itself. Incriminating photos definitely but I guess it all depends on how well you can convince your opponent that you have them.

[Quazar]

Yeah, physical weapons are more objective.  But, why not?  It's a clever idea.

[Imp]

to me social weapons are something that could be more like... a hand tailored suit would give you something to presence or even as bad as it is a paid for smile (fixed teeth) would give you better to a social combat

[finnmckool]

I can totally see your camera giving you a bonus to intimidation. Or a dress to social armor. Or small talking. I wouldn't go crazy or anything mind you with the bonuses, but that makes complete sense.

[LokiTM]

One reason I like structuring this as a weapons is it increases social damage if you are successful, but does not actually make you more likely to intimidate.

[admiralducksauce]

I think such things could have their uses, but drawing the line is tricky.  A weapon is something that consistently and routinely adds to the effectiveness of an attack.  Something like incriminating photos can only be pulled out once, making it more like a maneuver that you tag, but a camera or audio recorder... maybe those could be weapons, sure.

I think a good litmus test might be to see if we can come up with more social weapons than simply "camera", though...

[bibliophile20]

I think a good litmus test might be to see if we can come up with more social weapons than simply "camera", though...

Forest For The Trees Moment: Much like Weapons and Guns are paired with, well, weapons and guns to be effective, some social weapons are only going to be usable as social weapons when paired with the appropriate skill. 

So, stuff like knives (switchblades, especially) and shotguns (especially after the slide's been racked) would qualify as Intimidation weapons, IMHO, but I'm having a harder time thinking of Rapport or Deceit weapons that aren't more situational, and would be better served as aspects.

[Peteman]

We can add blackmail photos.

Perhaps chocolate/other gifts for rapport.

[devonapple]

I think things like Blackmail Photos (and possibly fashion-based props) would work better as Assessments/Declarations of preparations they have made (using Investigation, Resources, Presence, etc.) which give the players Aspects (on themselves or on the target) which they can Compel/Invoke/Invoke for Effect.

Social Items may be better suited as enchanted items of jewelry, special ties or tie-pins, etc.. set up with particular bonuses. Though there is nothing saying you can't enchant a camera to be unusually good at taking photographs, giving a bonus to any Assessments using the Investigation skill.

[Peteman]

Though there is nothing saying you can't enchant a camera to be unusually good at taking photographs, giving a bonus to any Assessments using the Investigation skill.

Beyond the risk of accidentally hexing it.

[devonapple]

Beyond the risk of accidentally hexing it.

Maybe we need one of the Sidhe Technomancers, eh?

[Peteman]

Maybe we need one of the Sidhe Technomancers, eh?

Given the Sidhe general mistrust of technology, we'd probably need to consult the Haephestians or the Grigori.

[MijRai]

I'd run Social Weapons on a case-by-case basis. A gun might be a good Intimidation weapon, but what if the person you have the gun on is some 40 year old Krav Maga expert who could disarm you in a second and put that gun where the sun don't shine? As far as Rapport and Empathy, maybe food could be a social weapon. Otherwise, just run it as a declaration/manuever and get the +2.