Does Anybody Actually Run Caliber I Missions?

[TheAuldGrump]

Hmmm, when mentioning Spycraft 2.0 on another forum I made a comment that I had never run a Caliber I mission. This was a very small lie - I have started several missions off at Caliber I, but it has never stayed there for more than a single session,  proving to be the lead in for something bigger.

Does anybody actually run a mission at Caliber I and mean it?

The Auld Grump

[TheTSKoala]

I'll use Caliber I missions for plot set-ups and if there's a new player joining us that's new to the system, to get their feet wet before throwing them into the bowels of hell.. I mean.. my campaign.

[Psion]

I've yet to run a Caliber I mission, but I was considering doing one as "local busywork time" in an upcoming session that would allow me to bring a bunch of subplots to a head.

[NezMaster]

It seems to me that caliber refers to how important the agency thinks it is. Threat is how dangerous it is. You could in fact have a life threatening run the agency doesn't really give to shits about.
"We've been asked to catch this man. He might have information leading to the arrest of someone else. We've been asked to do this for another agency. Good luck"

Turns out the guy is really competent, but it doesn't make the agency care any more. Could be he has lots of back up. Agency still doesn't care.

And the groiup has to accompish it with only a minimum of equipment. So it seems to me caliber one mission have their place. I started the team with some caliber one missions becuase one of hte players took discredited. "We're not giving you real assignments"

Heres a little secret. The agency my group works for is totally corrupt. They don't know this yet. When they start to get suspicious I'm going to hurl caliber one missions at them to 'keep them busy.' Missions far away from the plot. At some point the real mission will beocme clear. Clean up home.

I like the caliber controlling equipment because of it's complete lack of any connection to difficulty, and it's arbitrary nature. Currrently they have to save the life of the pope. Really, the agency doesn't give a rats ass about the pope. Neither the fate of the world, nor their personal politics, really seems in the balance. It's caliber two, becuase of possible political fall out, but going up against international assasins is hardly a milk run.


Does this not mesh with how other people see it?

[foproy]

the last milk run a had an ungodly threat level, of course the fact that the party was up against flesh eating zombies didnt help.

[Slippery_jim_digris]

I agree with NezMaster.

Currently in my convention only (for now) SFA campaign the PCs are "on vacation". On a previous mission, The Lord of Superstition disappeared...right out from under their noses.
When thet got back to the Archer Foundation no one seems to remember him. Since the PCs were so obviously stress about the dissapearence of a non-existent Lord. They were sent on vacation. Since they were at loose ends they decided to look into what happened now they are on a calibre I mission against the head of a bio-research company who is filthy rich, practically owns New Orleans and has an army of super tough clones that are programmed to obey him unquestionably.

It seems to me that caliber refers to how important the agency thinks it is. Threat is how dangerous it is. You could in fact have a life threatening run the agency doesn't really give to shits about.
"We've been asked to catch this man. He might have information leading to the arrest of someone else. We've been asked to do this for another agency. Good luck"

Turns out the guy is really competent, but it doesn't make the agency care any more. Could be he has lots of back up. Agency still doesn't care.

And the groiup has to accompish it with only a minimum of equipment. So it seems to me caliber one mission have their place. I started the team with some caliber one missions becuase one of hte players took discredited. "We're not giving you real assignments"

Heres a little secret. The agency my group works for is totally corrupt. They don't know this yet. When they start to get suspicious I'm going to hurl caliber one missions at them to 'keep them busy.' Missions far away from the plot. At some point the real mission will beocme clear. Clean up home.

I like the caliber controlling equipment because of it's complete lack of any connection to difficulty, and it's arbitrary nature. Currrently they have to save the life of the pope. Really, the agency doesn't give a rats ass about the pope. Neither the fate of the world, nor their personal politics, really seems in the balance. It's caliber two, becuase of possible political fall out, but going up against international assasins is hardly a milk run.


Does this not mesh with how other people see it?

[Desertpuma]

Caliber is what the Agency, or whatever organization the players work for, perceives the threat to be while the Threat Level is the actual danger to the agents on assignment.

I love Caliber I missions. Nothing says improvisation like walking into a hardcore meeting with a water pistol ... that's empty and made of really cheap plastic and somehow escaping alive.

I miss the Code White missions of old. I'd love to see for LSpy or even to run some missions that are Caliber I. ... Actually who am I kidding? ... I love to jack up my players when they are on "vacation" and only have their Possessions somewhere nearby but their common items in reach.

In Media Res is golden for this stuff, people. ... See who amongst your players is ready for it when it happens.

[Crafty_Pat]

Heres a little secret. The agency my group works for is totally corrupt. They don't know this yet. When they start to get suspicious I'm going to hurl caliber one missions at them to 'keep them busy.' Missions far away from the plot. At some point the real mission will beocme clear. Clean up home.

Dig the structure. Very cool.

I like the caliber controlling equipment because of it's complete lack of any connection to difficulty, and it's arbitrary nature. Currrently they have to save the life of the pope. Really, the agency doesn't give a rats ass about the pope. Neither the fate of the world, nor their personal politics, really seems in the balance. It's caliber two, becuase of possible political fall out, but going up against international assasins is hardly a milk run.

Does this not mesh with how other people see it?

That's almost exactly how I see it.

[Crafty_Pat]

Caliber is what the Agency, or whatever organization the players work for, perceives the threat to be while the Threat Level is the actual danger to the agents on assignment.

Well, that's the most prevalent way the Caliber's applied, but it could just as easily indicate a drought of resources (esp. in a Freelance game), a remote operation, a training exercise, or even the characters being ostracized from their support networks. Yes, some of these are represented by other mechanics in the system, but they could also influence gear options. It's part of how Caliber works for the story, rather than the other way around.

[Desertpuma]

Caliber is what the Agency, or whatever organization the players work for, perceives the threat to be while the Threat Level is the actual danger to the agents on assignment.

Well, that's the most prevalent way the Caliber's applied, but it could just as easily indicate a drought of resources (esp. in a Freelance game), a remote operation, a training exercise, or even the characters being ostracized from their support networks. Yes, some of these are represented by other mechanics in the system, but they could also influence gear options. It's part of how Caliber works for the story, rather than the other way around.

It is just the easiest way I've found to explain it to non-players of the system. Of course, the next question is: well, what if things change in the field? ... Leads right into a discussion of Request & Gear checks....

[Agent 333]

Honestly, I never run anything above Caliber III. At that point the gear starts becoming more imporant than the characters, and we all know how bad that is  .
Caliber I-II is standard for me. If they want Cal IV or V gear, they get creative with the character options. They do it anyway, this just has a bit of a limiter so they aren't taking a tank into a milk run (damn wheelmen).

[Sludig]

Any more, I tend to not even use the caliber system, as my group just tends to use the possession gear all the time.  Of course you can't beat them breaking out of the mastermind's jail using MRE's, sporks and plungers.

[Desertpuma]

I know there is a story in there somewhere....

My new home game will focus on several low Caliber missions, especially since I'm using the Shoe String Budget campaign quality initially... 

[Argonnite]

I'm now imagining Sanford & Son acting as Control.

[Crafty_Pat]

I'm now imagining Sanford & Son acting as Control.

AGENTS (reporting in): "We lost her, sir. Ravenwilde is on the loose."
CONTROL (screaming): "You what? Did you at least salvage the Abominator?"
AGENTS (hesitant): "Um... We lost that, too."
CONTROL (reeling and clutching chest): "My heart! Oh Elizabeth! This is the big one! I'm comin' to join ya, darlin'!"
AGENTS (sighing and rolling eyes): "Great. Here we go again..."