Managing rest periods

[quixoteles]

I am not a number cruncher by nature, but the way that this game is played is by number sequences and using the advantages. One of the ways that GM's can do this is by careful scene planning, I usually don't allow for rest period, where players get back all of their stones unless they sort of totally maneuver themselves into. The hard and fast rule is: "It ain't over till it's over." Whatever the stakes of the scene are, I don't allow for recoveries till the issue set forth is resolved, win or lose.

[psyche]

I AM a number cruncher by nature (hey, I work for a bank, get over it!), but I DO allow recovery periods, in fact I actively build them into the scenarios. It's not only a chance for the PCs to recover but also for the Villains to bring in additional support if the PCs are having it too easy!

I tend to build scenarios that cover several days, each day having specific objectives. However during one scenario the PCs discover something that needs to be resolved but cannot be settled in the current one (the Oh No! effect is also great fun for the GM!). It's also fun to occasionally let them get a great prize just to snatch it away again (but DO leave then an unexpected good prize in it's place).

The last two issues I played started by having them chasing some corrupt councilors, into a concrete factory. This then leads to uncovering a terrorist plot. Next issue, US intelligence leads them two terrorists and a big blue-black cat (Cyclops, Wolverine and Beast!) who it turns out are trying to stop the REAL terrorists (Mistique and Toad). They actually managed to capture Toad. I can't tell you the next Issue as they haven't played it yet, but their HQ is about to get trashed when Toad escapes! They gain out of this by getting a good relationship with the X-Men (giving the GM a chance for more creativity and to introduce technology). This also makes them enemies of the Brotherhood.

This is similar to the technique I used with Deadlands.

When they have played this through I propose to post my scenario notes and Villains' character sheets. (I'll ask my PCs for permission to post them as well.)



On the other hand, I have another different scenario for them when they will be face with a very simple situation, but even I have NO idea how they'll deal with it!


Psyche (x)