Shikamaru like planning power/sfx.

[kirezemog]

I haven't really tried to build any characters other than the homemade ones that my players will be playing. However, Shikamaru from Naruto and Naruto Shippuden would be one I really want to see done. And with this system, I think it can really be done well.

When I think of Shikamaru and his fights, I remember feeling like he was going to lose at any second. It always feels like he is losing, and just staying alive, then BAM!, the opponent is taken out.

I picture his SFX cause dice to go right to the Doom Pool, and then being able to use the Doom Pool later on.

Either that, or just adds to the Doom Pool, and he gets to choose when to spend the 2D12 to end the scene, and gets to narrate the ending as his plan comes to fruition and he won.

Anyone have any better ideas to portray this kind of character.

[Doc Hydrogen]

Well, to me that sounds more like using negative Distinctions for most of the fight, then piling on the plot points when you get a really good roll.

But, I'm unfamiliar with the character so, I could be dead wrong.

[basspunk66]

Well, to me that sounds more like using negative Distinctions for most of the fight, then piling on the plot points when you get a really good roll.

But, I'm unfamiliar with the character so, I could be dead wrong.

Actually, I'd say that's pretty spot on. He always set up his opponents, which would be the negative distinctions, feigning "weakness" until he can get the perfect strike.

[kirezemog]

Well, to me that sounds more like using negative Distinctions for most of the fight, then piling on the plot points when you get a really good roll.

But, I'm unfamiliar with the character so, I could be dead wrong.

Actually, I'd say that's pretty spot on. He always set up his opponents, which would be the negative distinctions, feigning "weakness" until he can get the perfect strike.

I don't know about feigning weakness. He is weaker. No real attack powers. He's all about complications with his shadow possession jutsu.

But, looking at it from a storytelling point of view. Us as the viewers don't ever know what he has planned until it happens. I'd really like to emulate that aspect of him. Having a lot of plot points to blow all on one roll is a good way to emulate it I guess. I'll have to test it out to see how the scene plays out when playing that way.

I guess another cool way to do this would be to create an asset named something like Hidden Plan, or just plain Shikamaru. And have it be usable by the opponents against Shikamaru, and once he steps it up to D12+, he can apply it to the enemy, and end the fight. That shows how the enemy seems to be getting an upper hand on him, but in reality he is maneuvering them where he wants, right into defeat.

[basspunk66]

I say "feigning weakness" because his tactics are all about misdirection. His strength is in control and planning. To use any other tactic, while setting up for a control shot, -is- feigning weakness, because he leads his enemy to believe he's not setting them up.

[CharlesEmbers]

Squirrel Girl in 50 States has an SFX that let's her end the scene as the victor, but she's a watcher character.

You could flip it so that the player adds dice to the next scene's Doom Pool. You could either add something flat like XdX, or maybe whatever the player's dice pool was.


Edit - Just another thought, though I don't know how to word it: the SFX could end the scene with the Shikamaru winning, but the DP gains dice based on his current Affiliation. ex - If he's Solo, the DP just gains his Solo die and his part in the scene is over, but if he's Team you add his Team die, plus the Team die of everyone in his Team and their scene is over.