Distinctions - Revision history

Avram: /* Definitions */ Added bit about other Leads being able to trigger your Earns

2012-03-19T02:58:44Z

Definitions: Added bit about other Leads being able to trigger your Earns

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:58, 18 March 2012
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	: Decrease allows you to step back the largest die in your opponent's Stress pool before it's rolled to determine the Stress your opponent inflicts in a Contest or Test. This Decrease is typically limited to two types of Stress. If you step back a d4, you remove it completely from the pool.		: Decrease allows you to step back the largest die in your opponent's Stress pool before it's rolled to determine the Stress your opponent inflicts in a Contest or Test. This Decrease is typically limited to two types of Stress. If you step back a d4, you remove it completely from the pool.
	; Earn (Benefit)		; Earn (Benefit)
	: Earn gives a player a Plot Point from the general pool. Usually this player is you; however, you might have a Distinction that gives Plot Points to other players. If this happens, the Plot Point comes from the general pool, not your own.		: Earn gives a player a Plot Point from the general pool. Usually this player is you; however, you might have a Distinction that gives Plot Points to other players. If this happens, the Plot Point comes from the general pool, not your own. Also, another Lead can give you a Plot Point to activate your Earn trigger ''(page 91)''.
	: '''For Features:''' As for Leads, or if the Watchtower wants, instead of claiming a Plot Point for an Earn trigger, Watchtower can ask the players if anyone wants to buy the trigger's drawback. Any player can spend the Plot Point to make the trigger happen.		: '''For Features:''' As for Leads, or if the Watchtower wants, instead of claiming a Plot Point for an Earn trigger, Watchtower can ask the players if anyone wants to buy the trigger's drawback. Any player can spend the Plot Point to make the trigger happen.
	; Exacerbate (Drawback ''WTR'')		; Exacerbate (Drawback ''WTR'')

Avram: /* Definitions */ Clarified Add rule for Features, citing Cam Banks on Cortex forum.

2012-03-19T02:22:58Z

Definitions: Clarified Add rule for Features, citing Cam Banks on Cortex forum.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:22, 18 March 2012
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	; Add (Drawback)		; Add (Drawback)
	: '''For Leads:''' Add throws a die into the Trouble pool after the current roll is resolved.		: '''For Leads:''' Add throws a die into the Trouble pool after the current roll is resolved.
	: '''For Features:''' Watchtower spends a die out of Trouble to activate the trigger's benefit.		: '''For Features:''' Watchtower spends a die out of Trouble (of the specified size [http://cortexsystemrpg.org/viewtopic.php?f=91&t=4512&sid=5f24610003b1de3de92dffad99b84fa9 or larger]) to activate the trigger's benefit.
	; Boost (Benefit, ''WTR'')		; Boost (Benefit, ''WTR'')
	: Boost allows the character to step up a certain Trait; each use of the trigger modifies the Trait by one step. It only apply to a handful of Traits or a Heritage's connected Abilities; the affected Traits are listed in the trigger. This modification lasts through the end of the episode, although Leads and Features can attempt to reverse the effects with a Test or Contest. Leads never begin an episode with a Boosted Trait.		: Boost allows the character to step up a certain Trait; each use of the trigger modifies the Trait by one step. It only apply to a handful of Traits or a Heritage's connected Abilities; the affected Traits are listed in the trigger. This modification lasts through the end of the episode, although Leads and Features can attempt to reverse the effects with a Test or Contest. Leads never begin an episode with a Boosted Trait.
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	: '''For Features:''' Whenever a Feature's sheet calls for Watchtower to spend a Plot Point, that Plot Point goes to the player who is affected by the action. If the action affects more than one player, Watchtower gives a Plot Point to each affected player.		: '''For Features:''' Whenever a Feature's sheet calls for Watchtower to spend a Plot Point, that Plot Point goes to the player who is affected by the action. If the action affects more than one player, Watchtower gives a Plot Point to each affected player.
	; Use (Benefit ''WTR'')		; Use (Benefit ''WTR'')
	: The Use benefit allows you to use the Special Effects of a short list of Abilities as if you had them on your Lead sheet. This always costs a Plot Point in addition to whatever drawback the benefit is paired to. This benefit is already common among Heritage Distinctions; classifying it as a benefit is just a formal way of addressing its appearance in those Heritages in the Smallville RPG.		: The Use benefit allows you to use the Special Effects of a short list of Abilities as if you had them on your Lead sheet. This always costs a Plot Point in addition to whatever drawback the benefit is paired to. This benefit is already common among Heritage Distinctions; classifying it as a benefit is just a formal way of addressing its appearance in those Heritages in the Smallville RPG.


	== Earn a Plot Point ==		== Earn a Plot Point ==

Avram at 07:50, 15 March 2012

2012-03-15T07:50:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:50, 15 March 2012
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	: Exacerbate steps up a Stress Trait. This drawback works on two kinds of Stress, which must be listed in the trigger. It only affects the Lead or Feature who has the Distinction; for harming others, see Increase. Each use of the trigger steps up the Stress Trait by one. If you don't currently have any of the appropriate Stress, you pick up a d4 Stress Trait of that type. This is basically the "affects self" version of Increase.		: Exacerbate steps up a Stress Trait. This drawback works on two kinds of Stress, which must be listed in the trigger. It only affects the Lead or Feature who has the Distinction; for harming others, see Increase. Each use of the trigger steps up the Stress Trait by one. If you don't currently have any of the appropriate Stress, you pick up a d4 Stress Trait of that type. This is basically the "affects self" version of Increase.
	; Gain (Benefit)		; Gain (Benefit)
	: Gain gives you a temporary Relationship or Resource (an Extra or a Location). These work like any other Relationship or Resource but ~~are only in place for a limited time (the rest of the~~ scene~~, or the rest of the episode~~ at a ~~reduced~~ die rating.)		: Gain gives you a temporary Relationship or Resource (an Extra or a Location). These work like any other Relationship or Resource but they last one scene at a specific die rating, then drop down to d4, and don't recover their dice when they're used up.
	; Give (Drawback)		; Give (Drawback)
	: Give directs you to give a die to your opposition, whether it's another Lead, a Feature, or even an Extra or Trouble.		: Give directs you to give a die to your opposition, whether it's another Lead, a Feature, or even an Extra or Trouble. This die is the equivalent of a Useful Feature, so it sticks around at least until the end of the Contest.
	; Grant (Benefit ''WTR'')		; Grant (Benefit ''WTR'')
	: Grant allows you to give another Lead or Feature a Trait from your Lead sheet, usually the same Distinction that includes the Grant. This Trait is temporary and will be removed from the target character's sheet at the end of the episode. It's basically the same as the Gain benefit; it just works on others instead of the Lead or Feature who has it.		: Grant allows you to give another Lead or Feature a Trait from your Lead sheet, usually the same Distinction that includes the Grant. This Trait is temporary and will be removed from the target character's sheet at the end of the episode. It's basically the same as the Gain benefit; it just works on others instead of the Lead or Feature who has it.
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	: Increase allows you to step up the smallest die in your Stress pool before you roll to determine the Stress you inflict in a Contest. As with Decrease, this is limited to two types of Stress. If your smallest die is a d12, add a d4 to the pool instead.		: Increase allows you to step up the smallest die in your Stress pool before you roll to determine the Stress you inflict in a Contest. As with Decrease, this is limited to two types of Stress. If your smallest die is a d12, add a d4 to the pool instead.
	; Recover (Benefit)		; Recover (Benefit)
	: Recover lets you reduce Stress Traits you already have or eliminate them completely, depending on your Distinction's die rating.		: Recover lets you reduce Stress Traits you already have or eliminate them completely, depending on your Distinction's die rating: If your Distinction's die rating is '''greater''' than the Stress die rating, the Stress is '''eliminated'''; erase it from your Lead sheet. If your Distinction's die rating is '''equal to or less than''' the Stress die rating, this benefit '''steps back''' your Stress by one.
	; Reduce (Drawback, ''WTR'')		; Reduce (Drawback, ''WTR'')
	: Reduce requires the character to step back a certain Trait; each use of the trigger modifies the Trait by one step. It only apply to a handful of Traits or a Heritage's connected Abilities; the affected Traits are listed in the trigger. This modification lasts through the end of the episode, although Leads and Features can attempt to reverse the effects with a Test or Contest. Leads never begin an episode with a Reduced Trait.		: Reduce requires the character to step back a certain Trait; each use of the trigger modifies the Trait by one step. It only apply to a handful of Traits or a Heritage's connected Abilities; the affected Traits are listed in the trigger. This modification lasts through the end of the episode, although Leads and Features can attempt to reverse the effects with a Test or Contest. Leads never begin an episode with a Reduced Trait.
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	* Attractive		* Attractive
	* Clever		* Clever
	* Extraterrestrial Knowledge ~~(or "Fill-in-the-Blank Knowledge")~~		* Extraterrestrial Knowledge
	* Gearhead		* Gearhead
	* Genius		* Genius

Avram: /* Observations */

2012-03-11T01:20:23Z

Observations

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:20, 10 March 2012
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	* Attractive		* Attractive
	* Clever		* Clever
	* Extraterrestrial Knowledge		* Extraterrestrial Knowledge (or "Fill-in-the-Blank Knowledge")
	* Gearhead		* Gearhead
	* Genius		* Genius

Avram: Added rules for Features

2012-02-26T01:18:39Z

Added rules for Features

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:18, 25 February 2012
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	; Add (Drawback)		; Add (Drawback)
	: Add throws a die into the Trouble pool after the current roll is resolved.		: '''For Leads:''' Add throws a die into the Trouble pool after the current roll is resolved.
			: '''For Features:''' Watchtower spends a die out of Trouble to activate the trigger's benefit.
	; Boost (Benefit, ''WTR'')		; Boost (Benefit, ''WTR'')
	: Boost allows the character to step up a certain Trait; each use of the trigger modifies the Trait by one step. It only apply to a handful of Traits or a Heritage's connected Abilities; the affected Traits are listed in the trigger. This modification lasts through the end of the episode, although Leads and Features can attempt to reverse the effects with a Test or Contest. Leads never begin an episode with a Boosted Trait.		: Boost allows the character to step up a certain Trait; each use of the trigger modifies the Trait by one step. It only apply to a handful of Traits or a Heritage's connected Abilities; the affected Traits are listed in the trigger. This modification lasts through the end of the episode, although Leads and Features can attempt to reverse the effects with a Test or Contest. Leads never begin an episode with a Boosted Trait.
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	; Earn (Benefit)		; Earn (Benefit)
	: Earn gives a player a Plot Point from the general pool. Usually this player is you; however, you might have a Distinction that gives Plot Points to other players. If this happens, the Plot Point comes from the general pool, not your own.		: Earn gives a player a Plot Point from the general pool. Usually this player is you; however, you might have a Distinction that gives Plot Points to other players. If this happens, the Plot Point comes from the general pool, not your own.
			: '''For Features:''' As for Leads, or if the Watchtower wants, instead of claiming a Plot Point for an Earn trigger, Watchtower can ask the players if anyone wants to buy the trigger's drawback. Any player can spend the Plot Point to make the trigger happen.
	; Exacerbate (Drawback ''WTR'')		; Exacerbate (Drawback ''WTR'')
	: Exacerbate steps up a Stress Trait. This drawback works on two kinds of Stress, which must be listed in the trigger. It only affects the Lead or Feature who has the Distinction; for harming others, see Increase. Each use of the trigger steps up the Stress Trait by one. If you don't currently have any of the appropriate Stress, you pick up a d4 Stress Trait of that type. This is basically the "affects self" version of Increase.		: Exacerbate steps up a Stress Trait. This drawback works on two kinds of Stress, which must be listed in the trigger. It only affects the Lead or Feature who has the Distinction; for harming others, see Increase. Each use of the trigger steps up the Stress Trait by one. If you don't currently have any of the appropriate Stress, you pick up a d4 Stress Trait of that type. This is basically the "affects self" version of Increase.
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	; Spend (Drawback)		; Spend (Drawback)
	: Spend costs a Plot Point to use.		: Spend costs a Plot Point to use.
			: '''For Features:''' Whenever a Feature's sheet calls for Watchtower to spend a Plot Point, that Plot Point goes to the player who is affected by the action. If the action affects more than one player, Watchtower gives a Plot Point to each affected player.
	; Use (Benefit ''WTR'')		; Use (Benefit ''WTR'')
	: The Use benefit allows you to use the Special Effects of a short list of Abilities as if you had them on your Lead sheet. This always costs a Plot Point in addition to whatever drawback the benefit is paired to. This benefit is already common among Heritage Distinctions; classifying it as a benefit is just a formal way of addressing its appearance in those Heritages in the Smallville RPG.		: The Use benefit allows you to use the Special Effects of a short list of Abilities as if you had them on your Lead sheet. This always costs a Plot Point in addition to whatever drawback the benefit is paired to. This benefit is already common among Heritage Distinctions; classifying it as a benefit is just a formal way of addressing its appearance in those Heritages in the Smallville RPG.

Avram: Added Benefits and Drawbacks from The Watchtower Report

2012-02-26T01:05:16Z

Added Benefits and Drawbacks from The Watchtower Report

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:05, 25 February 2012
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	== Definitions ==		== Definitions ==

	; Add		Benefits and Drawbacks marked with ''WTR'' are from ''The Watchtower Report''. The others are from the Core Rulebook.

			; Add (Drawback)
	: Add throws a die into the Trouble pool after the current roll is resolved.		: Add throws a die into the Trouble pool after the current roll is resolved.
	; Choose		; Boost (Benefit, ''WTR'')
			: Boost allows the character to step up a certain Trait; each use of the trigger modifies the Trait by one step. It only apply to a handful of Traits or a Heritage's connected Abilities; the affected Traits are listed in the trigger. This modification lasts through the end of the episode, although Leads and Features can attempt to reverse the effects with a Test or Contest. Leads never begin an episode with a Boosted Trait.
			; Choose (Drawback)
	: Choose requires your Lead to do something unfortunate or unhelpful. (''Keep in mind that this is the player choosing, not necessarily the character. --- AJG'')		: Choose requires your Lead to do something unfortunate or unhelpful. (''Keep in mind that this is the player choosing, not necessarily the character. --- AJG'')
	; Decrease		; Decrease (Benefit)
	: Decrease allows you to step back the largest die in your opponent's Stress pool before it's rolled to determine the Stress your opponent inflicts in a Contest or Test. This Decrease is typically limited to two types of Stress. If you step back a d4, you remove it completely from the pool.		: Decrease allows you to step back the largest die in your opponent's Stress pool before it's rolled to determine the Stress your opponent inflicts in a Contest or Test. This Decrease is typically limited to two types of Stress. If you step back a d4, you remove it completely from the pool.
	; Earn		; Earn (Benefit)
	: Earn gives a player a Plot Point from the general pool. Usually this player is you; however, you might have a Distinction that gives Plot Points to other players. If this happens, the Plot Point comes from the general pool, not your own.		: Earn gives a player a Plot Point from the general pool. Usually this player is you; however, you might have a Distinction that gives Plot Points to other players. If this happens, the Plot Point comes from the general pool, not your own.
	; Gain		; Exacerbate (Drawback ''WTR'')
			: Exacerbate steps up a Stress Trait. This drawback works on two kinds of Stress, which must be listed in the trigger. It only affects the Lead or Feature who has the Distinction; for harming others, see Increase. Each use of the trigger steps up the Stress Trait by one. If you don't currently have any of the appropriate Stress, you pick up a d4 Stress Trait of that type. This is basically the "affects self" version of Increase.
			; Gain (Benefit)
	: Gain gives you a temporary Relationship or Resource (an Extra or a Location). These work like any other Relationship or Resource but are only in place for a limited time (the rest of the scene, or the rest of the episode at a reduced die rating.)		: Gain gives you a temporary Relationship or Resource (an Extra or a Location). These work like any other Relationship or Resource but are only in place for a limited time (the rest of the scene, or the rest of the episode at a reduced die rating.)
	; Give		; Give (Drawback)
	: Give directs you to give a die to your opposition, whether it's another Lead, a Feature, or even an Extra or Trouble.		: Give directs you to give a die to your opposition, whether it's another Lead, a Feature, or even an Extra or Trouble.
	; Increase		; Grant (Benefit ''WTR'')
			: Grant allows you to give another Lead or Feature a Trait from your Lead sheet, usually the same Distinction that includes the Grant. This Trait is temporary and will be removed from the target character's sheet at the end of the episode. It's basically the same as the Gain benefit; it just works on others instead of the Lead or Feature who has it.
			; Increase (Benefit)
	: Increase allows you to step up the smallest die in your Stress pool before you roll to determine the Stress you inflict in a Contest. As with Decrease, this is limited to two types of Stress. If your smallest die is a d12, add a d4 to the pool instead.		: Increase allows you to step up the smallest die in your Stress pool before you roll to determine the Stress you inflict in a Contest. As with Decrease, this is limited to two types of Stress. If your smallest die is a d12, add a d4 to the pool instead.
	; Recover		; Recover (Benefit)
	: Recover lets you reduce Stress Traits you already have or eliminate them completely, depending on your Distinction's die rating.		: Recover lets you reduce Stress Traits you already have or eliminate them completely, depending on your Distinction's die rating.
	; Reroll		; Reduce (Drawback, ''WTR'')
			: Reduce requires the character to step back a certain Trait; each use of the trigger modifies the Trait by one step. It only apply to a handful of Traits or a Heritage's connected Abilities; the affected Traits are listed in the trigger. This modification lasts through the end of the episode, although Leads and Features can attempt to reverse the effects with a Test or Contest. Leads never begin an episode with a Reduced Trait.
			; Reroll (Benefit)
	: Reroll allows you to roll one die again for certain kinds of tasks. Rerolls can't be used on dice that rolled 1, and you may never reroll a die more than once.		: Reroll allows you to roll one die again for certain kinds of tasks. Rerolls can't be used on dice that rolled 1, and you may never reroll a die more than once.
	; Reveal		; Reveal (Benefit)
	: Reveal allows you to dictate a fact about the story. However, what you can add into the story needs to be very strictly defined, such as "I own one of those" or "Expert on speed dial." (''I think the idea is that the story fact is useful in some way; the player should not be restricted to just trivial color. --- AJG'')		: Reveal allows you to dictate a fact about the story. However, what you can add into the story needs to be very strictly defined, such as "I own one of those" or "Expert on speed dial." (''I think the idea here is that the story fact is useful in some way; the player should not be restricted to just trivial color. --- AJG'')
	; Shutdown		; Shift (Benefit ''WTR'')
			: The Shift benefit allows the Lead or Feature to move die steps from one Stress Trait to another. The trigger must state which two kinds of Stress the steps can be shifted away from and which one Stress the steps can be shifted into. This trigger is an all-or-nothing proposition, moving all die steps in the first Stress into the second Stress. If this would put the second Stress higher than d12, the trigger just doesn't work.
			; Shutdown (Drawback)
	: Shutdown makes a certain set of Traits unusable.		: Shutdown makes a certain set of Traits unusable.
	; Spend		; Spend (Drawback)
	: Spend costs a Plot Point to use.		: Spend costs a Plot Point to use.
			; Use (Benefit ''WTR'')
			: The Use benefit allows you to use the Special Effects of a short list of Abilities as if you had them on your Lead sheet. This always costs a Plot Point in addition to whatever drawback the benefit is paired to. This benefit is already common among Heritage Distinctions; classifying it as a benefit is just a formal way of addressing its appearance in those Heritages in the Smallville RPG.


	== Earn a Plot Point ==		== Earn a Plot Point ==

Lisa at 06:11, 20 February 2012

2012-02-20T06:11:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:11, 19 February 2012
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	[[Category:Smallville ~~Game~~]]		[[Category:Smallville Brownies]]

	== Definitions ==		== Definitions ==

Lisa at 06:11, 20 February 2012

2012-02-20T06:11:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:11, 19 February 2012
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			[[Category:Smallville Game]]

	== Definitions ==		== Definitions ==

Avram: Added some useful observations

2012-02-19T23:29:18Z

Added some useful observations

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:29, 19 February 2012
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	: Choose requires your Lead to do something unfortunate or unhelpful. (''Keep in mind that this is the player choosing, not necessarily the character. --- AJG'')		: Choose requires your Lead to do something unfortunate or unhelpful. (''Keep in mind that this is the player choosing, not necessarily the character. --- AJG'')
	; Decrease		; Decrease
	: Decrease allows you to step back the largest die in your ~~opponent’s~~ Stress pool before ~~it’s~~ rolled to determine the Stress your opponent inflicts in a Contest or Test. This Decrease is typically limited to two types of Stress. If you step back a d4, you remove it completely from the pool.		: Decrease allows you to step back the largest die in your opponent's Stress pool before it's rolled to determine the Stress your opponent inflicts in a Contest or Test. This Decrease is typically limited to two types of Stress. If you step back a d4, you remove it completely from the pool.
	; Earn		; Earn
	: Earn gives a player a Plot Point from the general pool. Usually this player is you; however, you might have a Distinction that gives Plot Points to other players. If this happens, the Plot Point comes from the general pool, not your own.		: Earn gives a player a Plot Point from the general pool. Usually this player is you; however, you might have a Distinction that gives Plot Points to other players. If this happens, the Plot Point comes from the general pool, not your own.
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	: Increase allows you to step up the smallest die in your Stress pool before you roll to determine the Stress you inflict in a Contest. As with Decrease, this is limited to two types of Stress. If your smallest die is a d12, add a d4 to the pool instead.		: Increase allows you to step up the smallest die in your Stress pool before you roll to determine the Stress you inflict in a Contest. As with Decrease, this is limited to two types of Stress. If your smallest die is a d12, add a d4 to the pool instead.
	; Recover		; Recover
	: Recover lets you reduce Stress Traits you already have or eliminate them completely, depending on your ~~Distinction’s~~ die rating.		: Recover lets you reduce Stress Traits you already have or eliminate them completely, depending on your Distinction's die rating.
	; Reroll		; Reroll
	: Reroll allows you to roll one die again for certain kinds of tasks. Rerolls ~~can’t~~ be used on dice that rolled 1, and you may never reroll a die more than once.		: Reroll allows you to roll one die again for certain kinds of tasks. Rerolls can't be used on dice that rolled 1, and you may never reroll a die more than once.
	; Reveal		; Reveal
	: Reveal allows you to dictate a fact about the story. However, what you can add into the story needs to be very strictly defined, such as "I own one of those" or "Expert on speed dial." (''I think the idea is that the story fact is useful in some way; the player should not be restricted to just trivial color. --- AJG'')		: Reveal allows you to dictate a fact about the story. However, what you can add into the story needs to be very strictly defined, such as "I own one of those" or "Expert on speed dial." (''I think the idea is that the story fact is useful in some way; the player should not be restricted to just trivial color. --- AJG'')
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	There are a whole lot of Distinctions that Earn Plot Points at the d4 level, but not many that let you Spend them at that level.		There are a whole lot of Distinctions that Earn Plot Points at the d4 level, but not many that let you Spend them at that level.

	There are three Distinctions --- ''Connected'', ''Martial Artist'', and ''Weapons Master'' --- where all three triggers (d4, d8, and d12) are Spend triggers. If you take one of those, make sure you've got a way to Earn those Plot Points too. Same goes for ''Wealthy'', which has Spend triggers at d4 and d8.		There are three Distinctions --- ''Connected'', ''Martial Artist'', and ''Weapons Master'' --- where all three triggers (d4, d8, and d12) are Spend triggers. If you take one of those, make sure you've got a way to Earn those Plot Points too. Same goes for ''Wealthy'', which has Spend triggers at d4 and d8.

			I think all of these Distinctions have Earn at d4 and Spend at d8 (or in the cases of ''Atheltic'' and ''Genius'', Spend at d4 and Earn at d8), making them good prospects for buying up to d8 early:

			* Athletic
			* Attractive
			* Clever
			* Extraterrestrial Knowledge
			* Gearhead
			* Genius
			* Guilty
			* Investigator
			* Manipulative
			* Marksman
			* Military Brat
			* On a Mission
			* Shameless Flirt
			* Soldier

Avram: Added list of Ds which let you Spend Plot points.

2012-02-19T23:16:23Z

Added list of Ds which let you Spend Plot points.

Show changes