Jsemple
Topic Author
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat 08 Feb 2020, 15:49

NPCs and Stress

Fri 27 Jan 2023, 10:55

If a minor NPC goes down due to stress do you roll criticals as normal or is there an optional rule similar to when their Health goes to zero.

I’m just thinking about the Nexus 9 hit squad in Electric Dreams. It feels like using a called shot to pin them down and thereby give them stress would be a powerful move. With 7 health and 2 resolve it feels like it’s their weak spot even if it feels slightly uncharacteristic of combat Replicants to go to pieces under fire.

All thoughts and advice welcome here.
James Semple
 
leonpoi
Posts: 137
Joined: Fri 08 Jan 2021, 05:10

Re: NPCs and Stress

Sun 05 Feb 2023, 10:34

It's a good question but I don't have an answer. I too am interested in this potential issue !
 
Colgrevance
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue 04 Aug 2020, 07:47

Re: NPCs and Stress

Sun 05 Feb 2023, 13:07

I wondered about the same thing when I was reading through the rulebook, but sadly, I have no gameplay experience to share here.

If called shots really are too powerful to take down replicants, I would probably houserule that pinning down has no effect on them, as replicants are built to stay cool under fire - at least the combat models.
 
User avatar
Kaybe
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri 14 May 2021, 18:26

Re: NPCs and Stress

Wed 08 Feb 2023, 02:23

Wouldn't this follow the same rules when suffering non-self inflicted stress? An Insight check to control your emotions? Insight is basically the equivalent of armor for the brain and it would seem odd that this one pin down mechanic can negate that when being threatened with violence, which is what being pinned down essentially is, can be reduced via an Insight roll.
 
Colgrevance
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue 04 Aug 2020, 07:47

Re: NPCs and Stress

Wed 08 Feb 2023, 11:41

I don't think the rules for stressful situations - using an Insight roll to avoid stress - apply to suffering stress from being pinned down in combat, but I might be wrong on this; maybe we could get an official clarification?

Even if it's not RAW, I can see this as another houserule to increase combat staying power. I am not sure replicant npcs that suffer from low stress thresholds have a high enough Empathy/Insight score to really solve the issue, though (the hit squad mentioned in the op would roll two d6, for example).
 
Ariolan
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat 06 May 2023, 12:12

Re: NPCs and Stress

Sat 06 May 2023, 12:18

Moreover, what is missing is a Morale rule of sorts. Most people would just give up after being fired upon by the police, most certainly after being hit once. So I houseruled that NPCs (with the exception of Replicant Combat models, which makes them creepier, and other military personnel) give up after suffering one health or stress damage.
Also, the stress rules p74 state that Being fired on and getting wounded causes stress, but the table on p75 only shows being stressed by
- being threatened, a freindly suffering critical, seeing a friendly die.

So I figured, for NPC at least, any damage you suffer will also incur Stress.

Any other ideas ?
 
User avatar
BrianG
Posts: 39
Joined: Thu 13 Jul 2023, 05:14

Re: NPCs and Stress

Thu 13 Jul 2023, 05:48

Moreover, what is missing is a Morale rule of sorts. Most people would just give up after being fired upon by the police, most certainly after being hit once. So I houseruled that NPCs (with the exception of Replicant Combat models, which makes them creepier, and other military personnel) give up after suffering one health or stress damage.
Also, the stress rules p74 state that Being fired on and getting wounded causes stress, but the table on p75 only shows being stressed by
- being threatened, a freindly suffering critical, seeing a friendly die.

So I figured, for NPC at least, any damage you suffer will also incur Stress.

Any other ideas ?
I like this idea. It seems to dove-tail pretty much with the scene in BR2049 where K fires at and near the scavenger mob that moves in on his spinner in the ruins of San Diego. (that is until the rest of the mob shows up and Luv has to save his butt with called-in ordinance from God)
 
User avatar
BrianG
Posts: 39
Joined: Thu 13 Jul 2023, 05:14

Re: NPCs and Stress

Thu 13 Jul 2023, 10:44

If a minor NPC goes down due to stress do you roll criticals as normal or is there an optional rule similar to when their Health goes to zero.

I’m just thinking about the Nexus 9 hit squad in Electric Dreams. It feels like using a called shot to pin them down and thereby give them stress would be a powerful move. With 7 health and 2 resolve it feels like it’s their weak spot even if it feels slightly uncharacteristic of combat Replicants to go to pieces under fire.

All thoughts and advice welcome here.
I noticed this too. It's very odd because their Ender Assault rifles causes them 1 point to themselves if they use auto fire, and if they are threatened with any sort of combat that is another point. Now they are broken from stress unless they can roll base dice of 2 D6 for their low Insight skill. All before they can get off a second round of combat. I play tested and found I had one of them trying to console the other about his critical ear injury to try to get the other back into the fight.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests