ParanetOnline

The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: ways and means on June 06, 2011, 05:23:54 PM

Title: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: ways and means on June 06, 2011, 05:23:54 PM
I was wondering how a catch of Decapitation would work I was thinking in terms of certain Buffy Demons and Highlanders, would any attack targeted to the head work statisfy the catch and what about area attacks?
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: EdgeOfDreams on June 06, 2011, 05:30:56 PM
I think that doesn't work very well as a catch for the simple reason that if you've lost your head, you're probably dead anyway, no matter WHAT powers you have (unless you're Wolverine).
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: ways and means on June 06, 2011, 05:34:30 PM
I know it does not work well as a very common catch in fiction and legends, though usually as a way of keeping the enemy down rather than hurting the enemy more easy, I suppose the catch would be the head.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: EdgeOfDreams on June 06, 2011, 05:43:22 PM
Yeah, a catch of "attacks specifically targeting the neck" (or only bladed weapons to the neck, if you want it more narrow) would be more manageable.  Of course, an attacker would have to know that's the catch before they can start declaring their attacks that way.  Also, this would be a relatively high value catch because anyone can target the neck, no special material or power is required.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: Haru on June 06, 2011, 05:45:29 PM
I think decapitation should be something that happens as a taken out result, not during combat.

The Highlander would still be vulnerable, he just has recovery powers, not toughness. Inflict enough stress for a taken out result and then declare the beheading as said result.

The demon on the other hand might be a little tricky, but still manageable. I am assuming a physical immunity except for decapitation. You just have to put enough mental or social consequences (taunting to anger it, deceit to confuse it, etc.) to justify a taken out result and then behead as usual. Or put a grapple on it (trapping it somehow), make a lore assessment and tag it for effect, you won't have to inflict stress, once beheaded the demon is dead. Provided of course, the grapple is strong enough.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: Discipol on June 06, 2011, 09:02:50 PM
Decapitation is not unique to the head. Dismemberment is a proper catch for this game system.

Immortals cannot regrow hands, they CAN attach them. Something done not in combat, linked to their Mythic Regeneration. Which they have. not should have, have.

Living dead with, say, condition to be burned to nothing, can attach a head back and sow it or glue it :)
Creatures like a plant monster, or my favorite, a troll. Regrow the head or the body, or both O_o

You should take dismemberment as a catch because decapitation usually means being taken out. No head to see, smell, hear makes you useless.

Minor consequence: Cut fingers, I can't hear anything, Who turned out the lights?
Moderate consequence: Severed hand, Severed foot, There is a piece of my ass missing.
Severe consequence: Severed arm, severed leg. Half of my head is over there.
Extreme consequence: Armless, Legless, "Half of me is dancing, the other is singing", headless - should imply that you are somehow alive.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: UmbraLux on June 06, 2011, 10:14:39 PM
I can see decapitation as a catch for Recovery powers but I don't think it's appropriate for Toughness powers.  When it comes to Toughness catches, the first question I ask is "Can it be weaponized?".  If the answer is anything but an immediate 'yes', it's probably not appropriate.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: Discipol on June 07, 2011, 06:48:45 AM
you don't get to separate them, the catch applies to both toughness and regen.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: toturi on June 07, 2011, 06:53:01 AM
I can see decapitation as a catch for Recovery powers but I don't think it's appropriate for Toughness powers.  When it comes to Toughness catches, the first question I ask is "Can it be weaponized?".  If the answer is anything but an immediate 'yes', it's probably not appropriate.
I go about it the opposite way. Unless the Catch cannot be used in any way at all as a weapon, whether in physical, mental or social, it is probably appropriate. IIRC, a Catch that is applied to the Recovery power is also applied to the Toughness power if the character has both powers. Even if the catch cannot be physically weaponised, it may still be applicable otherwise as a Compel.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: Becq on June 07, 2011, 08:18:18 AM
I prefer asking the question, "How often will having a Catch of 'X' cause trouble for the character?"
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: UmbraLux on June 07, 2011, 12:21:18 PM
you don't get to separate them, the catch applies to both toughness and regen.
Not entirely true.  See stacked catches.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: polkaneverdies on June 07, 2011, 02:09:25 PM
Stacked catch applies for physical immunity(one catch) and regen,toughness(one catch)
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: tetrasodium on June 07, 2011, 09:51:13 PM
tion seems more like a tag that would be added
dead[decapitated]
incapacitated[decapitated]
inconvienienced [decapitated]

A normal human decapitated is probably pretty dead, even a fae or denarian is probably in that same boat
(click to show/hide)
.  A zombie might not need its head, but no head tends to make target tracking & such kindatough, it could still flail though.  Some tougher supernatural critter like a hydra might just be annoyed or grow another if you cut off it's head.  Since I didn't see/notice it mentioned, high caliber weapons & shotgun type weapons could simply explode the head if hit.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: UmbraLux on June 07, 2011, 11:18:58 PM
Stacked catch applies for physical immunity(one catch) and regen,toughness(one catch)
Exactly, that's one obvious example of separate catches.  It's also the only way you gain the refresh rebate of multiple catches.  Stacked catches which negate each other are, of course, "strongly discouraged". 

This is how I (and at least a few others) typically build tough spirits and elemental creatures.  The book example is an immunity to fire and a vulnerability to cold for a fire demon.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: toturi on June 08, 2011, 01:51:18 AM
Exactly, that's one obvious example of separate catches. 
More precisely, a Stacked Catch is also the only RAW example of a seperate Catch that is specifically applied to Physical Immunity.

A character with a Catch (which is distinct and seperate from a Stacked Catch) would apply that same Catch to both Toughness and Recovery powers, if any.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: Khalis231 on June 08, 2011, 12:48:43 PM
Exactly, that's one obvious example of separate catches.  It's also the only way you gain the refresh rebate of multiple catches.  Stacked catches which negate each other are, of course, "strongly discouraged". 

This is how I (and at least a few others) typically build tough spirits and elemental creatures.  The book example is an immunity to fire and a vulnerability to cold for a fire demon.

I think Toturi has it right. While the book allows you to take (theoretically) as many Catches as you want for your Toughness powers, gaining refresh for only the highest-rebate Catch, it does specify that the Catch applies to both Toughness and Recovery. You can definitely take two Catches for your Toughness powers, you just can't assign one to Toughness and one to Recovery.

Stacked Catches appear to be a different situation, and apply only to Physical Immunity.

Being able to specify different Catches for Toughness and Recovery seems like it would be inherently overpowered compared to using a single Catch, because it would require additional preparation or effort by enemies to cancel out the full breadth of a character's Toughness powers. There are certain situations where it might make sense, like with a Catch of decapitation, but it would require a refresh adjustment to be properly balanced. I would give the refresh rebate for the lowest-rebate catch, rather than the highest, and possibly charge an additional -1 refresh for the ability to be able to rely more heavily on having at least one Toughness power active, even if the other's Catch is being satisfied.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: UmbraLux on June 08, 2011, 02:04:29 PM
I think Toturi has it right. While the book allows you to take (theoretically) as many Catches as you want for your Toughness powers, gaining refresh for only the highest-rebate Catch, it does specify that the Catch applies to both Toughness and Recovery. You can definitely take two Catches for your Toughness powers, you just can't assign one to Toughness and one to Recovery.

Stacked Catches appear to be a different situation, and apply only to Physical Immunity.
I suspect we're largely in agreement...which means I've failed at explaining my point.   :-\  Trying again...
Quote
Being able to specify different Catches for Toughness and Recovery seems like it would be inherently overpowered compared to using a single Catch, because it would require additional preparation or effort by enemies to cancel out the full breadth of a character's Toughness powers. There are certain situations where it might make sense, like with a Catch of decapitation, but it would require a refresh adjustment to be properly balanced. I would give the refresh rebate for the lowest-rebate catch, rather than the highest, and possibly charge an additional -1 refresh for the ability to be able to rely more heavily on having at least one Toughness power active, even if the other's Catch is being satisfied.
Agreed, and the book recommends against it.  That said, the side bars (and a few examples) allow for Recovery without a catch.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: Khalis231 on June 08, 2011, 03:18:40 PM
I think we're mostly on the same page as well. I agree with everything in your most recent post, but it doesn't really address my confusion with regard to your position, which stems from this quote:

you don't get to separate them, the catch applies to both toughness and regen.
Not entirely true.  See stacked catches.

We're all in agreement that a Stacked Catch (which specifically relates to Physical Immunity) can be entirely separate from the catch for Toughness/Recovery. But I don't believe Discipol was referring to Physical Immunity here, he was talking about the Toughness (the sub-power) and Recovery, which are indeed lumped together for the purposes of Catches. So I guess I'm puzzled why you think his statement was not entirely true.

Exactly, that's one obvious example of separate catches.  It's also the only way you gain the refresh rebate of multiple catches.  Stacked catches which negate each other are, of course, "strongly discouraged".

Again, I'm puzzled by your response here, because a Stacked Catch with Physical Immunity is the only example of a separate catch amongst Toughness-category powers. It's certainly not the only example of multiple Catches, but it's the only case where a Catch doesn't have to apply to the other Toughness powers. In other words, someone with Inhuman Toughness and Inhuman Recovery could specify both a Catch of "inherited silver" and a Catch of "holy objects," but that would mean that both Catches would apply equally to both powers. He couldn't specify that "inherited silver" is the Catch for his Inhuman Toughness while "holy objects" is the Catch for Inhuman Recovery, the way he could if he were taking Physical Immunity and Inhuman Recovery.

So I guess my question is this: do you believe that it's possible to have separate, distinct Catches for Inhuman Toughness and Inhuman Recovery? It's my understanding that this isn't just "not recommended," but is actually not possible given the RAW. That was the point being debated in this thread, as I perceived it. We aren't in disagreement about rebates, Physical Immunity, or Stacked Catches.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: UmbraLux on June 08, 2011, 04:16:46 PM
I think we're mostly on the same page as well. I agree with everything in your most recent post, but it doesn't really address my confusion with regard to your position, which stems from this quote:

We're all in agreement that a Stacked Catch (which specifically relates to Physical Immunity) can be entirely separate from the catch for Toughness/Recovery. But I don't believe Discipol was referring to Physical Immunity here, he was talking about the Toughness (the sub-power) and Recovery, which are indeed lumped together for the purposes of Catches. So I guess I'm puzzled why you think his statement was not entirely true.
First, the terminology issue again - "Toughness" vs "toughness" - which is which?   ;)  Second, in my opinion Physical Immunity is just the fourth level of the Toughness power. 

Quote
Again, I'm puzzled by your response here, because a Stacked Catch with Physical Immunity is the only example of a separate catch amongst Toughness-category powers. It's certainly not the only example of multiple Catches, but it's the only case where a Catch doesn't have to apply to the other Toughness powers. In other words, someone with Inhuman Toughness and Inhuman Recovery could specify both a Catch of "inherited silver" and a Catch of "holy objects," but that would mean that both Catches would apply equally to both powers. He couldn't specify that "inherited silver" is the Catch for his Inhuman Toughness while "holy objects" is the Catch for Inhuman Recovery, the way he could if he were taking Physical Immunity and Inhuman Recovery.
Agreed.  It's the obvious example.

Quote
So I guess my question is this: do you believe that it's possible to have separate, distinct Catches for Inhuman Toughness and Inhuman Recovery? It's my understanding that this isn't just "not recommended," but is actually not possible given the RAW. That was the point being debated in this thread, as I perceived it. We aren't in disagreement about rebates, Physical Immunity, or Stacked Catches.
By the text on YS:184-187, no. 
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: wyvern on June 08, 2011, 04:41:27 PM
As a side-note, a separate "catch" that applies only to recovery or toughness is perfectly legal... as long as it's not refunding any refresh, and isn't the sole catch.

So, for example, if you have someone with, say, Supernatural Toughness & Recovery, who can be hurt or killed via necromantic magics (a +1 to +3 catch depending on how easy it is to figure out), you could also declare that they could be killed by decapitation (i.e. that functions as a catch only for recovery) - you just wouldn't receive any additional refresh for that.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: Khalis231 on June 08, 2011, 04:44:27 PM
First, the terminology issue again - "Toughness" vs "toughness" - which is which?   ;)  Second, in my opinion Physical Immunity is just the fourth level of the Toughness power. 
Agreed.  It's the obvious example.
By the text on YS:184-187, no. 

Well that clears everything up, we were saying the same thing after all  :) I guess I see Physical Immunity in a category all its own, because of how the Stacked Catch thing works. That might be why we were talking past each other.
Title: Re: A catch of Decapitation
Post by: Khalis231 on June 08, 2011, 04:55:16 PM
As a side-note, a separate "catch" that applies only to recovery or toughness is perfectly legal... as long as it's not refunding any refresh, and isn't the sole catch.

So, for example, if you have someone with, say, Supernatural Toughness & Recovery, who can be hurt or killed via necromantic magics (a +1 to +3 catch depending on how easy it is to figure out), you could also declare that they could be killed by decapitation (i.e. that functions as a catch only for recovery) - you just wouldn't receive any additional refresh for that.

That's a good point, I hadn't thought of that. There doesn't seem to be any harm in specifying an "extra" Catch for one or the other of Recovery or Toughness (power), as long as there's a single Catch for both to satisfy the power's requirement and the second one isn't giving refresh. So from my earlier silver/holy stuff example, I couldn't assign one Catch to each power, but I could set "silver" as the Catch for both, satisfying the requirement, and then tack on "holy stuff" as a Catch to Toughness only.