Summer Blockbuster ON SKATES!!!

[H.Tweed]

Hi all,
While planning to run a new game in the style of a Summer Blockbuster
I started thinking about a scene where everybody was on ice blades/roller skates.

Opening up my 2.0 rules for the first time in a while I started to look for the rules for movement on ice etc.
Finding the clarifications in the errata helped that no end but I was still left wondering what effect ice blades or roller skates would have?

I know they would both be common item picks, but what then? A simple bonus to move (+5?), any other bonus?

Any ideas you guys can throw at me for how to handle this would be great!

[Mister Andersen]

I'd allow them to negate the -4 penalty ice inflicts on manouver and acrobatics checks for moving on ice, with the understanding that the penalty is instead applied when moving on normal ground while wearing them. I'd also let them act as improvised hatchets when making a Kick attack.

[Desertpuma]

I handled this when writing Tundra. They allow you to move normal speed without requiring any Acrobatics/Balance checks. I even made a gadget called Skate Shoes which had blades folding down out of the soles.

[Mister Andersen]

As I read the Terrain rules, you already can move normal speed without the requirement of a balance check across ice

[Desertpuma]

Are you looking at the Errata? ...

[Mister Andersen]

What does the errata say?

[Desertpuma]

I'm at work so I can't check from here. ... However, the reason I included them in Tundra was also because of the moderate to heavy wind in a wintry Alaska.

Tweed, doublecheck the Errata... or could someone post it since I can't from here?

[H.Tweed]

I found this in the errata for Spycraft 2.0 FIRST PRINTING:

Table 2.10: Balance Check (page 106): The following line is added to this table.
“Flat, normal surface: Base DC 5”

Table 5.3: Special Surface Speeds (page 325): The effect listed for ice should be identical to that for knee-deep water.

From this I understood that movement on ice DOES require a Balance check.
Since the effects for ice are "identical" to that for knee-deep water I read that as meaning that there are no longer any penalties to skill checks while on ice.

This was the main reason that I started to wonder what advantage ice blades may give and also got me thinking about Balance checks while on roller skates!

Hope this helps and thanks to everyone for the imput so far!

[H.Tweed]

Puma,
What is this Tundra of which you speak and where can I find it?

(I've had a quick look and it doesn't jump out at me)

Thanks

[Slippery_jim_digris]

It is a Living Spycraft Serial. Go To the Home Office (link on Crafty's front page) and download it after joining.

Jame Bolivar DiGris

[Desertpuma]

A Living Spycraft mission I wrote which takes place in Alaska during a statewide blizzard. You can download it from www.livingspycraft.com

[H.Tweed]

Well I found Tundra and it looks really good  . Thank you for pointing me in it's icy direction!

But I'm still left wondering about my initial question.

Can I ask for some clarification please?

Does movement on ice still have –4 penalty with all Acrobatics and Maneuver checks or does the errata intend for that to be replaced by the effects listed for knee deep water?

Reading further I now think that movement assisted by roller skates or ice blades should now be some sort of Maneuver check if your doing more than calmly moving forward.

Also reading up on these rules I did notice that you can only ever suffer a fall if you fail a Balance check.
You can't suffer a fall if your riding an animal, a personal vehicle or on foot and fail a Maneuver Check.
That just doesn't seem right to me...

Please can anyone help me with this?
Thanks again.

[Desertpuma]

Check within Tundra for rules on the Skate Shoes. I believe I made a reference to the rules in there. The other thing you can do is make it a GC call and only require an Acrobatics/Balance check when the players are doing anything other than walking across the ice.

Keep in mind: this system is very flexible and you are not required to bog down the game by using absolutely every single rule. I would go with the GC call here. If the characters are doing anything but walking on ice, then require the check. Otherwise, let them move their 30' (average foot speed) normally.

[H.Tweed]

I read Tundra and unfortunately it doesn't answer my questions.
( That's one of the reasons why I was asking for rules clarification in my post above.)

You see that's the biggest problem with Spycraft 2.0 we're spoilt...
Because there are amazingly good rules for EVERYTHING in that mighty book
we start to expect them when we discover a tiny little thing like this which isn't delt with
in such detail.

I was picturing a scene on a big indoor rink with a lithe ice ballarina, the PCs moving onto the ice to seize her and then a troop of massive minions in full ice hockey gear moving onto the ice to stop them.

Unfortunately a (combat) scene like this does need some rules, just so the agent with Equilibrium moves and mastery can shine...

That's why I was asking you guys for help!

[Desertpuma]

If you are worried about people being bullrushed, then assess a negative modifier because of the lack of friction under foot.