How much narrative control do you give out on a success or a partial success?
Let’s say a player Hacks and Slashes and gets a 10+. Do you let him describe how he hits his target? How about for a 7-9?
How much narrative control do you give out on a success or a partial success?
How much narrative control do you give out on a success or a partial success?
I usually describe. Sometimes I give it over to the player or go
“Yeah, what you wanted totally happened”
Tell me what you were trying to do, if it seems workable that is what happens, 10+ that finishes an enemy, describe the action and reaction.
And don’t forget to make a follow up move!
It depends, but I like distributed narrative control anyway. I’m a very reactive GM.
I ask my players to describe what they do before they roll as if they rolled a 10+.
“I do a backflip over the guy’s head and chop his head off as I fly over!”
THEN they roll.
On 10+ it happens. I do not describe his action, only the consequences of his action. “His head rolls on the floor as you land with a flourish. The princess swoons.” (Assuming enough damage was dealt)
On 7-9 I describe the complications. “He sees you coming and lifts his sword as yours connects with his neck. Your momentum carries you forward and it cuts your left shoulder. Take 1d6 damage.”
On 6- I go to the mall with him. “OK thats what you wanted to do. THis is how it turns out…”
My group is pretty good as riffing off of each other and the dice results, so the line is pretty heavily blurred.
I think I’d prefer to say that when someone is excited about an idea, then that’s what happens. If someone grins and says “I DO THIS!” then by god, THIS is what they do. If THIS triggers a move, then we roll to find out what happens next.
So, if someone grins and yells “I KICK THE OGRE IN THE NADS!” then that ogre is getting kicked in the nads. Roll Hack And Slash: on a 10+, roll your damage, and the ogre crumples to the ground. On a 7-9, roll your damage, and the ogre grabs you throws you at the wall. On a 6-, the ogre bellows with pain and rage, and another gravelly voice from deeper in the cave calls out “Korgo, you yell? What happen?”
Peter Goderie
What about…
On 6- you yell in pain as your foot is impaled on the spikes of the jock armor he wears under his tunic.