Possessions Query

[starwarsphil]

Hi all,

I'm getting ready to run my first SpyCraft game in a couple of weeks (I'll post up some details when I've got it all written up). None of my group (including me) have played SC before so I'm creating all the PCs in advance, but I've got a query about Possessions. If I'm running a game with big budget, does the extra Caliber level for gear picks apply to Possessions as well?

Phil

[Jake]

Yes it does.

[Gentry]

I think the easy answer, ironically, is that if this is your first SC campaign you probably shouldn't use the big budget quality.    There's enough to get used to already without trying to remember extra modifiers.  

If you must, however, I'd say it doesn't apply to Possessions.  Partly for simplicity's sake, and partly because the phrase about bonus Wealth seems to indicate that.  

[Krensky]

I think the easy answer, ironically, is that if this is your first SC campaign you probably shouldn't use the big budget quality.    There's enough to get used to already without trying to remember extra modifiers. 

If you must, however, I'd say it doesn't apply to Possessions.  Partly for simplicity's sake, and partly because the phrase about bonus Wealth seems to indicate that.   

Big Budget boosts all gear picks. Including Possessions gear picks.

[starwarsphil]

I was just re-reading the description for big budget and realised I'd forgotten about the bonus Wealth which applies at character creation. So this does imply that the Caliber change applies to Possession picks as well.

I am however intrigued by Gentry's suggestion that using big budget gives me more to do as GC. Unless I'm missing something, the only point it will make a difference is at character creation which I'm doing ahead of time, not mid-flow. I'm also intending to use blockbuster, I can see that that one makes a difference mid-game.

I guess really I'm intending to use all the qualities suggested for an Espionage game - I'm very much hoping for a Bondian feel.

Phil

[Gentry]

I suggest that it'll give you more to do as a GC largely because it'll give your players more modifiers to track, which in turn creates work for you as a GC.  For my money, playing the game as written provides a plenty Bondian feel, and I encourage any newcomer to the game to play it straight for a little bit, just to get used to the mechanics, before starting to apply extra modifiers. 

As an aside, the Wealth boost in the big budget quality is precisely why I don't think the caliber boost can/should/ought to apply to the agents' possessions.  It effectively provides a double whammy bonus.  But that's just me, and others obviously disagree. 

[Krensky]

I suggest that it'll give you more to do as a GC largely because it'll give your players more modifiers to track, which in turn creates work for you as a GC.  For my money, playing the game as written provides a plenty Bondian feel, and I encourage any newcomer to the game to play it straight for a little bit, just to get used to the mechanics, before starting to apply extra modifiers. 

As an aside, the Wealth boost in the big budget quality is precisely why I don't think the caliber boost can/should/ought to apply to the agents' possessions.  It effectively provides a double whammy bonus.  But that's just me, and others obviously disagree. 

The Possessions score grants gear picks, Big Budget boost all gear picks. So Big Budget boosts Possession gear picks. It's not the first place in the system where double dipping happens.

[starwarsphil]

I ran my game a couple of weeks ago - didn't run the mission I've been writing, I ran Earthbound from S&P and it went really well, we all enjoyed ourselves.
(And I've started thinking about a follow-up mission in the Republic of East Africa probably involving a uranium mine and suitcase nukes since I've been watching 24 season 6 and Spooks recently)

One of my players played an Intruder, which led to the question: does the Gear Prep ability stack with Big Budget? e.g. in a Caliber 3 mission with Big Budget, can the Intruder select a piece of Caliber 5 gear? I ruled it did at the time but now I'm not so sure.

Phil

[Krensky]

Yes, it does.

[Crafty_Pat]

I ran my game a couple of weeks ago - didn't run the mission I've been writing, I ran Earthlight from S&P and it went really well, we all enjoyed ourselves.

Wonderful! Glad to see you're having fun.

(And I've started thinking about a follow-up mission in the Republic of East Africa probably involving a uranium mine and suitcase nukes since I've been watching 24 season 6 and Spooks recently)

Awesome. Do let us know how it goes.

[tracker7]

I ran my game a couple of weeks ago - didn't run the mission I've been writing, I ran Earthbound from S&P and it went really well, we all enjoyed ourselves.
(And I've started thinking about a follow-up mission in the Republic of East Africa probably involving a uranium mine and suitcase nukes since I've been watching 24 season 6 and Spooks recently)

Glad you liked Earthbound!  The REA is meant to be a catch-all antagonist - room for espionage, military, and other missions.  I've got a few more ideas for the Republic, but do feel free to blow it up real good!