Forum

That is, Isla.

I would have preferred that the table was more clear about game effects, but since the only mention is "completely immobilized" the GM is the one who has to decide. And that's all.

In my case, I think I did right, after my players told their interpretation (the mainly accepted here), I didn't ignore them... And It was a good thing! Since it could finish in a TPK!

...

Personally, I've never done a TPK (Total Party Killed) in any of my Alien RPG games for the past six years, and it was often planned that everyone would die during the cinematics. I may have played two games (Hope's Last Hand and Hope's Last Stand) with TPKs recently because they had an impact on the Aliens movie. I don't like TPKs at all and usually make sure I don't do them. Even though the characters who survive are never followed up in a sequel.

I personally think that, as Game Mother, we should always try to avoid these situations (TPK). It makes the game around the table more interesting for all players.

Arthur.

We recently played the "new" Hope's Last Stand and all PCs (3) survived. No NPC survived though. But still, I was a bit surprised. This makes me wonder, is the new version of Hope's Last Stand is easier than the first, is the rules more forgiving or have I become nicer over the years

We recently played the "new" Hope's Last Stand and all PCs (3) survived. No NPC survived though. But still, I was a bit surprised. This makes me wonder, is the new version of Hope's Last Stand is easier than the first, is the rules more forgiving or have I become nicer over the years

...

You're probably talking about Hope's Last Day (Act.2), Fenhorn, I think... Hope's Last Stand is Act.3 and Hope's Last Hand is Act.1. These are the unpublished cinematics (Act.1 and Act.3) by Dave Semark and Matthew Tyler Jones, it's good to mention that.

Arthur.

We recently played the "new" Hope's Last Stand and all PCs (3) survived. No NPC survived though. But still, I was a bit surprised. This makes me wonder, is the new version of Hope's Last Stand is easier than the first, is the rules more forgiving or have I become nicer over the years

...

You're probably talking about Hope's Last Day (Act.2), Fenhorn, I think... Hope's Last Stand is Act.3 and Hope's Last Hand is Act.1.

Arthur.

Yes. Always mixing the names of those up.

But regardless of that. To those that have played both "Last Day" scenarios and/or the both version of alien in general, is the new version easier or did I just imagine this.

We recently played the "new" Hope's Last Stand and all PCs (3) survived. No NPC survived though. But still, I was a bit surprised. This makes me wonder, is the new version of Hope's Last Stand is easier than the first, is the rules more forgiving or have I become nicer over the years

...

You're probably talking about Hope's Last Day (Act.2), Fenhorn, I think... Hope's Last Stand is Act.3 and Hope's Last Hand is Act.1.

Arthur.

Yes. Always mixing the names of those up.

But regardless of that. To those that have played both "Last Day" scenarios and/or the both version of alien in general, is the new version easier or did I just imagine this.

...

That's a good observation Fenhorn. I don't have enough experience with the new rules yet. I'm currently playing DESTROYERS OF WORLDS (DoW) in campaign mode. And, I'm not the type of Game Mother who kills my players' characters a lot. I prefer killing NPCs...

It's true that the Evolved rules for the ALIEN RPG mean the action is confined to smaller areas. But people have to move around more in the ventilation ducts as the corridors or stairs are (often) blocked. It's also possible that your players are all veterans and know the rules (and avoid the pitfalls of novice players). With Evolved Hope's Last Day, I get the impression that the xenomorphs (should) come towards the characters more often. It's more the Game Mother's responsibility to create combat situations or encounter situations (since the players don't move long distances or between multiple buildings).

P.S. In this scenario, it might be wise to send the group to the casino to retrieve a crucial item (like Reynolds' shuttle-keycard might have been lost there) and Komiskey's keycard is broken and unusable. Or some other essential objective. This would create more dangerous situations.

Arthur.

I like the new version better than the old one, it has more structure (nice for me that isn't an experienced Alien GM) and the maps works better for me (I have an eye impairment). My players I played with this time was much more tactical (after some years with Dragonbane). Next is Rapture Protocol

I like the new version better than the old one, it has more structure (nice for me that isn't an experienced Alien GM) and the maps works better for me (I have an eye impairment). My players I played with this time was much more tactical (after some years with Dragonbane). Next is Rapture Protocol

...

In my opinion, Fenhorn, your players are cunning foxes. You'll have to set traps for them, hahaha. Just to add a little spice to the game night.

Arthur.

One thought occurred to me while rereading Building Better Worlds... Did the OP remember to roll two crits per critical triggered on a Working Joe? (They have, as do David series, poor construction being the given reason)...
Working Joes are easily broken by the rules specific to them in BBW p 172.

If he didn't, but the players were aware of it, there might be an expectation of mowing down working joes left and right.

Yes, I knew, we rolled two dice when Working Joes received a critical hit. Even with that players rolled many times 1-2 or 3-4 scores (they had really bad luck). Anyway, if controlled by an Apollo mainframe, can be formidable opponents.

Talking about new Evolved edition, the characters' survivality has increase in general with dodging but... Other questions have meaningful impact now: for example, auto-fire is more lethal now. So I think, all in all, that it's more or less the same as first edition.

One thought occurred to me while rereading Building Better Worlds... Did the OP remember to roll two crits per critical triggered on a Working Joe? (They have, as do David series, poor construction being the given reason)...
Working Joes are easily broken by the rules specific to them in BBW p 172.

If he didn't, but the players were aware of it, there might be an expectation of mowing down working joes left and right.

...

That's an excellent point, Aramis,
thank you.

Arthur.