Yet another having-two-power-sets question

[adam]

Yesterday night was our first session, I knew me and my group would have loved the game. It run just fine (if not really smooth), and the biggest thing emerged post-game was the following:

Playing Spider-Man, I felt a bit bounded by the fact it was actually convenient for me to include at least a little web-slinging in every roll I made just to include the d8. Even the Daredevil player had the same feeling about his billy club. He said "well, DD is always punching and kicking the villains, he uses his club just once in a while".

Even when with Spidey I roll 2d10+2d8, it's hard to refuse a third d8, but spidey is more often then not just beating the life out of the mobs with his bare hands. If I rolled, let's say, 2d12+2d10+2d8 (it happened against Graviton! Thanks to Stress & an Asset), I would rather ignore another d8 just for the increasing chance of it producing opportunities, but then again, that was a once-in-a-session situation.

So what's the matter? What are we missing? It's just: "tell you're story as you want it and ignore the urge of having a bigger dice pool"?

Just a random tought now: I played dogs in the vineyard more than once, I truly love it, and while it seems to share a similar logic with MHR, in DitV you have to describe a trait just once to add it's dice to you're pool, while here I have to web around every action and reaction to get that d8.

[Cam]

Yes, that's really what it's all about.

A number of people have suggested alternatives, including allowing 2 free powers from any combination of power sets (even the same one), or reducing it to one power and one asset with the option of a free asset or power, etc etc. But really, you don't always have to add a second power if it doesn't go with what you're trying to do.

Cheers,
Cam

[adam]

I read about those quick replies elsewhere on this forum, but I never imagined... Oh well. Thank you!

But just to argue a little: it's not even a bit weird that in this game spider-man is almost always more effective and dangerous when shooting web-bullets then when he's kicking some villainous butt?

Anyway, I think we will play the game as it is until we fully understand it inside out before adding some house rule.

[Cam]

You can use Durability for his webbing, you know. He uses webbing a great deal, and Durability represents that for an action.

Cheers,
Cam

[Grimmshade]

Also, don't forget that your actions are not really limited to just a single punch or kick or web bullet. You can describe Spidey as swinging in, kicking a villain in the chest, shooting him with web as he flies through the air, and pulling him back again for another punch or kick. Pretty much exactly how Spidey fights in the comics.

[adam]

You can use Durability for his webbing, you know. He uses webbing a great deal, and Durability represents that for an action.

I hate to be such a pain, but what do you mean with that? Isn't Durability here for when instead of dodging around he tries to build some web-shield for cover and similar things?

Also, don't forget that your actions are not really limited to just a single punch or kick or web bullet.

Yes, I've done that! It's just that while spidey is not always doing this, I always feel compelled to include the webbing in my rolls.

However, maybe it's just that if you find so "compelling" to have a big dice pool, either you are approaching the game in the wrong way or it's just not the game for you.

[Supplanter]

I play a two-set hero in Playgroup A. I'd like to rewrite him as a one-set hero purely to avoid the phenomenon described in the OP, but he has both gear and birthright powers, so his abilities just don't fit well into a single set.

I am making do though.


Jim

[Supplanter]

However, maybe it's just that if you find so "compelling" to have a big dice pool, either you are approaching the game in the wrong way or it's just not the game for you.

Oh come now. That is not a spirit of fellowship and good will.

And of course people want big dice pools. This is a game of building big dice pools.


Jim

[Cam]

I hate to be such a pain, but what do you mean with that? Isn't Durability here for when instead of dodging around he tries to build some web-shield for cover and similar things?

It represents the material strength of his webbing, so you can not only use it for web shields and so on, but for when you want that strength represented in your action.

Cheers,
Cam

[Spatula]

So what's the matter? What are we missing? It's just: "tell you're story as you want it and ignore the urge of having a bigger dice pool"?

Pretty much. People have proposed various fixes, but it comes down to taste and what works for your group. I kinda think that the Spider-Man present in Breakout should only have one power set (his webs were a part of his spider-powers at that point). Also, I think you could remove Durability and especially Weapon from the web powers (it's rare that Spider-Man actually attacks someone with his webbing), and only let Swingline be used for movement, complications, and assets.