Area of Effect Mechanics

[aneesh]

Josh and Aneesh had this conversation

me: Area Blast (3- might): A blast of green sparkling energy knocking over friend and foe alike. The blast must be within begin within about 10m (30ft) and effects around the same diameter.
How much damage does this move do (this one was for the emerald hawk)
Sent at 9:49 PM on Thursday
Joshua: he rolls all three
me: really, I was thinking of making sand swarm an area move. That way it would not be redundent with rock throw
Joshua: its cause all his attacks are related
in that case it might not effect multiple people with three die
(cause you don't have other higher rated talents where you control sand)
me: but that seems more flavour based
mechanically is should be justifiable
Joshua: honestly I'm struggling with range and area effect
this game is suppose to simple
me: Possible remove a die. In exchange you get to hit multiple people. But it also affects your allies
Joshua: We should be talking about this on the forum . . .
me: lol
Joshua: contrast Emerald hawk with Stigma
me: we can copy and paste this to the forum
true, but the stigma loses a die to split the remaining die to only enemies

[Joshua Kitz]

The above message was probably a little confusing for anyone else reading it.

I've been struggling with how best to represent or even discuss area effect and ranged attacks. Aneesh was referring to two characters who's write-ups are in the Heroes and Villains board: Granite, one of his characters and a villain, Emerald Hawk.

When one looks at Emerald Hawk, it seems fair given his 5 might talent and 4 accuracy talent, both in energy blast, that he would be able to have a rank 3 talent (energy blast) that allows him to roll 3 dice to hit multiple foes, each opponent needing to beat the 3 dice.

I have had other villain who had a 3 dice talent that would create a blast of sonic 'damage' around him. Having no related talents, he was required to spend a strainpoint to enact this ability.

Stigma has a 4 rank talent miasma of decay which he can use to effect multiple targets. He sacrifices one die, but can distribute his 3 remaing dice however he likes against up to three targets.

While Stigma's attack may well seem weaker, one talent is giving him the option of affecting one or multiple opponents. Moreover when trying to effect multiple opponents it has no chance of damaging his allies, unlike the other two area of effects.

Still I'm hesitant to hard code these three forms of attacking multiple opponents.

Part of this is because position, (where a character is at the time of another characters action) matters rather little without area of affects. But once one introduces such attacks, position matters a great deal.

Of course a character with good speed or senses might be able to perceive such an area of attack effect an react in time to distance himself from the damage.

Hmmmm. This is suppose to be a simple game and I am hoping for a relatively simple solution to all of this. Just saying 'you can't do area of effects' is very unappealing. While forcing a character to take a vs single opponent of higher rank then the area of effect version rings hollow to the spirit of some abilities.

Short version is I'm still musing over all of this. Any thoughts anyone?

[macleod]

You could hard code Area of Effect attacks like so...

Accurate Area of Effect: This represents the character making a focused attempt to affect multiple opponents while avoiding bystanders and his allies. Basic Successes are only scored on 4s and above. Compare roll to a number of targets equal to Basic Successes rolled.

Aggressive Area of Effect: This represents the character going all-out with no regard for the surrounding environment or people. The character must 'spend' one Basic Success from his attack to successfully enact the attack. Compare roll to a number of targets equal to Basic Successes rolled; alternate between opponent and friend.

Seeking Area of Effect: This represents multiple weak forms of attacks seeking out opponents. The character splits his Basic Successes amongst opponents, no more than two per target.

[Joshua Kitz]

Hmm interesting. I'm not sure I'm completely grasping your suggestion. Coul you perhaps illustrate with an example for a single one of the above?

It sounds like this might require two rolls, one to see whose affected, and one to make the actual attack. This may require two seperate but related talents.

I feel I need to be cautious here because you don't want area of effects to be clearly superior to targeted strikes.

The struggle here is really to work something out that isn't too complex, but still allows for considerable flexibility and customization.

[macleod]

Certainly.

Let's say we have the following hero for these examples.

Dr. Phyziko
Ac: Pin Point Energy [3]
Mi: Energy Blast [5]
To: Dense Particles [4]
Mo: Propulsion Blast [2]
Se: Particle Harmony [3]
Br: Physicist [2]

Accurate Area of Effect: This represents the character making a focused attempt to affect multiple opponents while avoiding bystanders and his allies. Basic Successes are only scored on 4s and above. Compare roll to a number of targets equal to Basic Successes rolled.

Dr. Phyziko has a gang of knife-wielding thugs coming after him. He doesn't want to be surrounded and stabbed. The bar he is in is filled with numerous innocent bystanders. He decides to focus his Energy Blast into a tight explosion capable of defeating these punks without hurting anyone else.
Dr. Phyziko attempts an Accurate Area of Effect and rolls his 5 dice for Energy Blast; 2, 1, 3, 4, 6. Only the 4 and 6 are counted as Basic Successes. However, he compares those two dice to two thugs. Both roll only 1D since they aren't very threatening; 1 and a 3, both take two damage and die.

Aggressive Area of Effect: This represents the character going all-out with no regard for the surrounding environment or people. The character must 'spend' one Basic Success from his attack to successfully enact the attack. Compare roll to a number of targets equal to Basic Successes rolled; alternate between opponent and friend.

Dr. Phyziko is confronted by three jerks with handguns. His temporary ally and former arch-nemesis Theoretical Awesome is helping him today. Since the Doctor isn't all that concerned with his ally being injured but desperately doesn't want to be shot he will attempt an Aggressive Area of Effect with his Energy Blast; he rolls 1, 3, 3, 4, 6. He must spend one of those Basic Successes in order to actually attempt the AAoE so he loses one of the 3s. Now he has 3, 4 and 6 meaning he can target three folks... One Thug, Theoretical Awesome and another Thug.

Seeking Area of Effect: This represents multiple weak forms of attacks seeking out opponents. The character splits his Basic Successes amongst opponents, no more than two per target.

Dr. Phyziko is facing off against three zombies. His time is short, however, so he tries to kill them all in solid go. Energy Blast; 1, 3, 4, 4, 5. The doctor managed four Basic Successes; he knows through experience that Zombies have only two Life Points a piece so he spends two on two apiece, killing them and leaving only one left.

[macleod]

I wanted to post those examples because you asked for them...

...but...

After some thought, I think you only need two Area of Effect hardcoded rules...

Prior to an Attack roll players may announce that they are attempting an Area of Effect Attack or a Seeking Attack.

Area of Effect Attack: This represents the character attempting to damage a large radius with a single use of a talent. The character must 'spend' one Basic Success from his roll or the attack automatically fails. Spending a Basic Success removes it from the pool. Compare the roll to a number of targets equal to remaining Basic Successes.

Seeking Attack: This represents multiple weak forms of attacks seeking out opponents. The character splits his Basic Successes amongst opponents, no more than two per target.