Beginning character in advanced game?

[Autumn2005]

Is it possible to play a feet in the water character in a submerged game, or would that character just be crushed the first time anyone looked at them?  I just ask because as a new gamer I'd like to start with a low-level character, but most people are interested in submerged or higher level games.  Is it possible where the other characters have a 10 refresh level, but the starting one has only 6, or is that too complex/too limiting, too hard to keep track of?

[Buscadera]

If you wanted to play an easy-to-follow character in a higher level game, you might consider playing a Pure Mortal and simply leave yourself a lot of refresh. That will give you a character that you should be able to understand easily without limiting the other players.

Plus if you decide to change your character concept once you've got the hang of the game, you'll have the refresh available to do so.

[Kaldra]

also good lord the amount of fate points you would have would be HUGE, and many fun things happen with fate points.

[Belial666]

If you want a "low-level" character, simply do not spend the full refresh.

While a wizard or Knight of the Cross might spend 9 refresh out of 10 in a submerged game, a werewolf might pay as little as 4 and a minor talent as little as 2.

[wolff96]

If you want a "low-level" character, simply do not spend the full refresh.

While a wizard or Knight of the Cross might spend 9 refresh out of 10 in a submerged game, a werewolf might pay as little as 4 and a minor talent as little as 2.

Or a Pure Mortal who spends two or three on Stunts and starts every session with TEN FATE.  Having that many fate points to throw at a problem at all times is a power all of it's own... 

[Autumn2005]

How often do you use fate points?  All the time, or do you save them up for a big throw-down?  Does it matter?  Do fate points generally get tossed around a lot?

[HobbitGuy1420]

Sorta depends on the playgroup, but I prefer to see 'em flowing like water, on both sides of the table.  Keeps the story interesting, with a lot of fancy Compels, and gives the players the moxy they need when they need to bust it out.

'sides, Compels are just fun!

[Cyberchihuahua]

Another way to have a "lower level" feel, whether you have fewer refresh or not, would be to not take any skills at you highest possible cap. Having more skills and lower levels would keep you from shinning as bright as "more powerful" characters, while giving more things you can do in more situations.

[wolff96]

Another way to have a "lower level" feel, whether you have fewer refresh or not, would be to not take any skills at you highest possible cap. Having more skills and lower levels would keep you from shinning as bright as "more powerful" characters, while giving more things you can do in more situations.

This is an excellent point.  "Jack of all Trades, Master of None" characters can have a LOT of skills at lower levels and *always* be able to help a little bit in any situation.  It's not as spotlight-friendly as the combat monster when there's fighting to be done, or as vital as the get-away driver in a car chase...  but the character will almost never be sitting around with no options.  (Such as the combat monster in a battle of wits.)

The changeling in my current group is in denial about her heritage and rarely uses any of her powers.  So most of the time she's relying on her other skills to add lots of detail to scenes, toss out manuvers, and figure out enemy Aspects.  She isn't the nastiest character in the fight...  until she's been sitting quietly to one side for six or seven rounds, building up a boatload of Aspects to trigger all at once.     That, or handing them out to the more combat-oriented characters each round...

[Ryan_Singer]

This is an excellent point.  "Jack of all Trades, Master of None" characters can have a LOT of skills at lower levels and *always* be able to help a little bit in any situation.  It's not as spotlight-friendly as the combat monster when there's fighting to be done, or as vital as the get-away driver in a car chase...  but the character will almost never be sitting around with no options.  (Such as the combat monster in a battle of wits.)

The changeling in my current group is in denial about her heritage and rarely uses any of her powers.  So most of the time she's relying on her other skills to add lots of detail to scenes, toss out manuvers, and figure out enemy Aspects.  She isn't the nastiest character in the fight...  until she's been sitting quietly to one side for six or seven rounds, building up a boatload of Aspects to trigger all at once.     That, or handing them out to the more combat-oriented characters each round...

Such a character would be the thaumaturge's best friend.

[wolff96]

Such a character would be the thaumaturge's best friend.

Amusingly enough, we don't have a single spellcaster in the party.  There's an Ex-Special Forces Sniper (now retired and a Firefighter) whose grandmother taught him to shapeshift -- originally he was just looking for a way to improve his eyesight -- who is relatively nasty in a fight.

Then the Emissary of Morpheus who has been granted great powers... in the dream world. 

Next, the 'mortal' cursed with the Sight who sees far more than he actually wants to see...

And finally the Changeling who would be far happier if both Summer and Winter would leave her alone and let her finish her studies as a medical student.

The Emissary and the Sniper are the two with a flair for combat.  The Changeling just sits back and racks up the Assessments, Declarations, and Manuvers... It's worked well for them so far. 

[Ryan_Singer]

Amusingly enough, we don't have a single spellcaster in the party.  There's an Ex-Special Forces Sniper (now retired and a Firefighter) whose grandmother taught him to shapeshift -- originally he was just looking for a way to improve his eyesight -- who is relatively nasty in a fight.

Then the Emissary of Morpheus who has been granted great powers... in the dream world. 

Next, the 'mortal' cursed with the Sight who sees far more than he actually wants to see...

And finally the Changeling who would be far happier if both Summer and Winter would leave her alone and let her finish her studies as a medical student.

The Emissary and the Sniper are the two with a flair for combat.  The Changeling just sits back and racks up the Assessments, Declarations, and Manuvers... It's worked well for them so far. 

Awesome group!