Help with New Spycraft Campaign

[TheAuldGrump]

Infiltrator and Sleuth do share skills (such as being able to use a computer), however Sleuth has the superior edge in investigation.  Infiltrator excels at by-pass / covert-ops / sabotage.

Okay.. you have 3 players, but want to explore the whole game, eh?  Depending on how comfortable you are with GC-ing, though with your experience, this shouldn't be too bad.  Have your players create a roster.

Say.. 3-4 characters each.  Each start at level 4.  And they can choose who they activate for each mission chain.  The trick is, each character has their own XP.  So, if you get one guy to level 12, and suddenly need a wheelman, he'll still be at level 4.  I find I like to do that when my players have too many ideas to nail down one character, I let them create two or three.  (I've got 5 players.  Trust me.. having more can be a headache at times. lol.)

You beat me to it. I have run several games in this manner, to good effect. My only caveat is in regards to the character level - putting a fourth level character in a team of even sixth level characters can drag things down for everyone. Going more than two or three levels out of synch can really mess it up.    (Experience in this was for D&D, not Spycraft, but I suspect similar results are likely.)

One possibility is to steal the Circles from Living Spycraft, where the secondary character's levels are linked to the primary character's, though at a lower level. So Primary character Able is Sixth level, Secondary character Baker is Fourth level, And Tertiary character Charlie is second, or whatever separation you find comfortable. The assumption is that the minor characters are off earning experience on minor tasks, off screen somewhere.

It also means that when they start they may or may not have secondary characters, and lets them get comfortable with the system before starting experimental roles.

Oh!  One quick lesson.  (I learned this one the hard way.)  Be careful around Vehicle weapons.  They tend to tear players apart in a round, maybe less.  Heh.

The first fatality my group ever had in Spycraft was from artillery fire. Another character was pretty fardown  on the Table of Ouch. It is however a good deal less lethal in Spycraft than in D20 Modern....

The Auld Grump

[Ezram]

I don't have anything against Multi-classing, but it's important to remember that SC2 is not d20 Modern or D&D. Most concepts can be supported with one Base class and one Expert class and careful selections regarding feats, skills, advanced actions and selectable abilities.

As long as both options can produce varied and capable characters, it's all good. 

[snake]

Great stuff, guys. Interesting points about Vehicle Weapons and Multiclassing.

I'll maybe limit the PCs in the car chase to personal weapons, though Vehicles weapons are tempting. My players are used to multiclassing in other D20 games but as you say SC is a new game to us and the base class may be able to cover all the character concept. Lets see.

I think I'll define the concepts before I go any further. Concepts are:

1) Soldier. Ex-marine commando. Young. Short Blond Hair. Disciplined. Weakness for Women. (Bit like Bond in Casino Royale). Possible Skills: Martial Arts, Demolitions, Drive Watercraft, Scuba, Parachuting, etc

2) Intruder. Ex-Art Thief. Older. Black Hair. Likes Thrills. Enjoys good dining and gambling. (Bit like Thomas Crown or Nathan Hand in MI) Skills: Sleight of Hand, Sneak, etc.

3) Sleuth. Career Agent. Oxford graduate. Brown Hair. Worked for MI5 before transfer to MI6. Analytical mind. Boyish looks. (Bit like  Fox Mulder or Felix Leiter) Skills: Detective, Computer, Guns, Driving.

I'll nail down the correct skill names later. I'll have a go at stating them out. By the way, I'm re-reading the Bond novel Icebreaker by John Gardner as inspiration for the adventure. Its a good read anyway if you can get hold of a copy. Thanks   

[Gatac]

I'd actually recommend Scout instead of Soldier for that concept. Both are workable for the concept, but the Scout brings Terrain feats (Aquatic Training!) and Sneak Attack to the table.

The Sleuth might be a bit overburdened with those skills - I'd try to pawn off vehicle specialist to the Intruder, as said.

Personal weapons in a car chase sounds good. Not every ride has hidden machineguns

Gatac

[Nepenthe]

I'll nail down the correct skill names later. I'll have a go at stating them out. By the way, I'm re-reading the Bond novel Icebreaker by John Gardner as inspiration for the adventure. Its a good read anyway if you can get hold of a copy. Thanks   

All the Finns in the audience go "Yay!" (Ok, just one of us, for sure)...

[famine]

All the Finns in the audience go "Yay!" (Ok, just one of us, for sure)...

Yay!

[OverNinja]

All the Finns in the audience go "Yay!" (Ok, just one of us, for sure)...

Yay!

[Nepenthe]

That wasn't meant as a roll-call, but the results were astounding, at any rate. Any of my compatriots read that particular novel, branded as "James Bond in Finland", in these parts?

[famine]

Not yet, but it's now on my list!

[Golden Dragon]

2) Intruder. Ex-Art Thief. Older. Black Hair. Likes Thrills. Enjoys good dining and gambling. (Bit like Thomas Crown or Nathan Hand in MI) Skills: Sleight of Hand, Sneak, etc.

This character begs to be built with chance feats.

[OverNinja]

2) Intruder. Ex-Art Thief. Older. Black Hair. Likes Thrills. Enjoys good dining and gambling. (Bit like Thomas Crown or Nathan Hand in MI) Skills: Sleight of Hand, Sneak, etc.

This character begs to be built with chance feats.

High Roller for WoF.

[Toccata]

2) Intruder. Ex-Art Thief. Older. Black Hair. Likes Thrills. Enjoys good dining and gambling. (Bit like Thomas Crown or Nathan Hand in MI) Skills: Sleight of Hand, Sneak, etc.

This character begs to be built with chance feats.

High Roller for WoF.

Agreed. High Roller is an chance feat/action-die monster, especially when layered on top of Pointman.

[snake]

Sorry about the delay, xmas and all.

Heres more info on the PCs. I'm trying to understand how the characters think as well as creating them with the rules.

1) The Scout. Scott Blaine.     STR 13, DEX 13, Con 13, Int 12, wis 15, Cha 10.   Disciplined. Serviceman.
2) Intruder.    Dominic Rook.  STR 11, DEX 15, Con 11, Int 11, wis 14, Cha 14.   Privileged. Criminal.
3) Sleuth.       Paul Ferris.      STR 12, DEX 12, Con 11, Int 14, wis 15, Cha 13.   Brainy. Investigator.

Very impressed with character creation rules (and your assistance too) . Both have helped me flesh out and convert my concepts into game terms. More to follow. Please leap in with any comments.

[snake]

Thanks to the Finnish James Bond fans too. Icebreaker makes your country sound very beautiful and interesting. I'm sure it is in real life too !!. 

[Ezram]

Would you mind giving us a little background on each of them?