Let's Play... Amazing Spider-Man!

[Spatula]

Well, it seems I committed a bit of a faux pas in using the Focus SFX more than once in the same die pool. I'll have to go back and re-write the combat to take Cam's recent comments into account.

Also, just to note, for this story I allow surprise attacks to occur outside of the normal turn order. For example, in the first confrontation between Spider-Man and the Enforcers, Montana ropes a surprised Spider-Man into their hideout, and it's only after that that I start the first combat round, allowing Montana to go again fairly quickly. That isn't by the rules; I did it because it was the only way for the comic to make sense when interpreted through the lens of the game. I think that, by the rules, Montana's surprise attack would have been his action for the 1st round.

[MidnightBlue]

Couldn't Montana have used two effect dice to signify multiple attacks instead of needing tow turns to do it?

Just asking.

[Spatula]

Couldn't Montana have used two effect dice to signify multiple attacks instead of needing tow turns to do it?

Just asking.

It's a question of order of actions. Montana nabs Spidey, Spidey frees himself, Montana tries (and fails) to nab him again. I attached a pic of the sequence below. I don't think two effect dice would work, in any case, because they're both being used for the same thing (entangling Spidey in the lasso).

ASM #10: The start of the 1st fight

ASM 10_01.JPG (37.87 KiB) Viewed 702 times

[MidnightBlue]

Hmmm...I see what you're saying.

Thanks for the response!

[Spatula]

Round 2 starts. The Big Man will, somewhat inexplicably in game terms, pick Spider-Man to go first. Spider-Man will turn the oil drums into an asset, and ride one through the crowd of crime bosses.

Spider-Man is using his complication as an asset. It will be stepped up to D10 if it is still around at the end of his action. Made a mistake here. Using a complication as an asset should have cost 1 PP.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Wisecracker D8 + Reflexes D10 + Acrobatics D8 + Oil Drum D8 + Criminals’ Stress D8 = 5D8+D10 (3, 3, 2, 5, 3, 9) = 14 and D8 effect. Peter will spend 1 PP (2 left) to keep an extra D8 effect die.
Criminals: 3D8 + Tough Guys D8 + Spider-Man’s Stress D4 = D4+4D8 (1, 8, 6, 5, 2) = 14 and D8 effect.
Spider-Man will spend 1 PP (1 left) to activate the Watcher’s opportunity.
Spider-Man uses his 2D8 effect dice to step up the D8 stress on the criminals, removing another team die (2D8 remaining), and remove the Oil Drum complication.

Spider-Man: “Much obliged, Big Man! These drums are just what I needed! My spider ability can keep me balanced well enough to ‘ride’ one of them right through your bully boys!”

Spider-Man chooses Montana to go next. Montana attempts to lasso Spidey’s ankle, to keep him from jumping around so much.

Montana: Team D8 + Master of the Lariat D8 + Stretching D6 + Grapple SFX D6 + Spider-Man’s Stress D4 = D4+2D6+2D8 (1, 5, 4, 7, 5) = 12 and D8 effect. The effect die is stepped up to D10 because of the Grapple SFX.
Spider-Man will use the opportunity he activated earlier to roll an oil drum into Montana.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Hero D8 + Reflexes D10 + Acrobatics D8 + Super-Stunt D10 = 3D8+2D10 (7, 6, 3, 1, 9) = 13 and D10 effect. Peter will spend 1 PP (0 left) to keep his effect die.
Peter gains 1 PP (1 total) for rolling a 1, and the doom pool steps up its D6 (3D8 total).
Spider-Man uses his effect die to shut down Montana’s Lariat power set.

Montana manages to lasso Spidey’s ankle, but Spider-Man gets him to drop the lariat by throwing an oil drum at Montana.

Big Man: “Your overconfidence will be your undoing, Spider-Man! Lasso him, Montana!”
Montana: “I hear you talkin’, boss!”
Spider-Man: “I’ve got to move fast! This oughtta make him drop that lariat!”
Montana: “He flipped in mid-air! Shoving that drum towards me! It’s going to hit me!

Montana has the crime bosses go next. They rush the web-swinger, attempting to swarm him. For his part, Spider-Man is going to cover them with webbing to keep them at bay.

Criminals: Team 2D8 + Foolhardy D4 + Swarm D6 + Combat D6 + Spider-Man’s Stress D4 + Doom Pool D8 = 3D6+2D8 (4, 6, 1, 2, 6) = 12 and D8 effect. The criminals are using their Focus SFX to convert 2D4 into D6.
The Wacher adds a D6 to the doom pool (D6+2D8 total) for the D4 distinction.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Hero D8 + Reflexes D10 + Swingline D8 + Acrobatics D8 = 4D8+D10 (5, 8, 6, 1, 6) = 14 and D10 effect. Peter will spend 1 PP (0 left) to keep his effect die.
Peter gains 1 PP (1 total) for rolling a 1, and the doom pool steps up its D6 (3D8 total).
Spider-Man inflicts a D10 Webbed complication on the mob, taking away another team die (D8 remaining).

Spider-Man allows Ox to go next. Ox finds some stacks of tires in the auto shop, and starts throwing them at Spidey.

Ox: Team D8 + Auto Shop D8 + Strength D6 + Spider-Man’s Stress D4 + Doom Pool D8 = D4+D6+3D8 (3, 2, 5, 1, 6) = 11 and D6 effect.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Hero D8 + Reflexes D10 + Acrobatics D8 = 3D8+D10 (6, 3, 1, 8) = 14 and D8 effect.
Peter gains 1 PP (2 total) for rolling a 1, and the doom pool steps up a D8 (D8+D10 total).

Ox selects Fancy Dan to go next. Fancy Dan helps the Big Man by fetching him a bucket of oil, giving him a D8 asset. The Big Man goes next, and he throws the oil under Spider-Man’s feet.

Big Man: Team D8 + Auto Shop D8 + Bucket of Oil Asset D8 + Spider-Man’s Stress D4 = D4+3D8 (1, 7, 6, 8) = 15 and D8 effect.
Peter will spend 1 PP (1 left) to activate the Watcher’s opportunity.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Wisecracker D8 + Reflexes D10 + Acrobatics D8 = 3D8+D10 (3, 7, 2, 8) = 15 and D8 effect.
The Big Man inflicts a D8 Greased Floor complication on Spider-Man.

Big Man: “Pretty tricky, masked man! But now let’s see how good you are on an oily, greased floor!”

[Spatula]

Round 3 starts. Having not really learned anything from last round, the Big Man again lets Spider-Man go first. Spider-Man will pull the same trick again, and use his complication as an asset.

Spider-Man is using his complication as an asset. It will be stepped up to D10 if it is still around at the end of his action. As noted earlier, using a complication as an asset should have cost 1 PP.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Wisecracker D8 + Reflexes D10 + Acrobatics D8 + Greased Floor D8 + Super-Stunt D10 = 4D8+2D10 (6, 5, 3, 5, 8, 9) = 17 and D8 effect. Peter will spend 1 PP (0 left) to keep a D8 as an additional effect die.
Criminals: D8 + Tough Guys D8 + Spider-Man’s Stress D4 + Doom Pool D10 = D4+2D8+D10 (4, 3, 8, 5) = 13 and D8 effect. The doom pool is D8.
Spider-Man uses his 2D8 effect dice to inflict D8 stress on the criminals, and to remove the Greased Floor complication.

Spider-Man: “According to the latest super-hero manual, the well-trained costumed crime-fighter turns every obstacle into an advantage! See what I mean?”
Goon: “He’s sliding on the floor – like an ice-skater! Look out!”

Spider-Man picks the mob to go next. As they rush Spidey from all sides, he grabs onto a hanging hook and flips into the air.

Criminals: Team D8 + Tough Guys D8 + Swarm D6 + Combat D6 + Spider-Man’s Stress D4 = D4+3D8 (2, 3, 5, 7) = 12 and D8 effect. The criminals are using their Focus SFX to convert 2D6 into D8.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Auto Shop D8 + Reflexes D10 + Acrobatics D8 + Criminals’ Stress D8 = 4D8+D10 (6, 4, 8, 1, 3) = 14 and D10 effect. Peter will spend 1 PP (-1 left) to keep his effect die.
Peter gains 1 PP (0 total) for rolling a 1, and the doom pool adds a D6 (D6+D8 total).
Spider-Man inflicts D10 stress on the mob, taking out its last team die.

Spidey flips upwards, and the crooks collide into each other!

Goon 1: “You can’t dodge us forever! Rush ‘im from all sides, you guys!”
Goon 2: “We’ve got him now!”
Spider-Man: “You cherubs are made for each other! So far be it from me to keep you apart!”

Aha! Finally, a rules question! If someone gets taken out on their turn, do they still decide who goes next? Or does the decision revert to whoever went last and is still around?

The scattered and demoralized mob of thugs picks Fancy Dan to go next. Dan punches Spider-Man as he swings back down from the hook.

Fancy Dan: Team D8 + Small But Deadly D8 + Martial Arts D6 + Combat D8 + Spider-Man’s Stress D4 = D4+D6+3D8 (2, 3, 1, 5, 7) = 12 and D6 effect.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Auto Shop D4 + Reflexes D10 + Acrobatics D8 = D4+2D8+D10 (1, 2, 6, 5) = 11 and D8 effect.
Peter gains 1 PP (1 total) for rolling a 1, and the doom pool steps up its D6 (2D8 total).
Fancy Dan’s effect die is stepped down to D4 because of Spider-Man’s superior effect die.
Spider-Man’s D4 physical stress is stepped up to D6.

Fancy Dan gut-punches Spider-Man as he comes down from his last maneuver.

Fancy Dan: “I figure they wore you down enough! Now I’ll finish you off!”

Fancy Dan selects Montana to go next. As he is pretty useless without his lariat, Montana attempts to recover his lasso. Ox assists, and the Big Man edges closer to the door. With all the crime bosses down, he’s starting to think that maybe events are turning against him.

[Spatula]

Round 4 starts. The Big Man, having learned his lesson, allows Fancy Dan to go first in the round. Dan has Spider-Man on the ropes, and he’s going to press his advantage with a judo throw. Spider-Man will use his ability to stick to walls to turn the tables on the little guy.

Fancy Dan: Team D8 + Small But Deadly D8 + Martial Arts D6 + Combat D8 + Spider-Man’s Stress D6 = 4D8 (1, 5, 6, 2) = 11 and D8 effect. Fancy Dan is using his Focus SFX to convert 2D6 into D8.
Peter will spend 1 PP (0 left) to activate the opportunity.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Wisecracker D4 + Wall-Crawling D6 + Combat D8 = D4+D6+2D8 (4, 1, 8, 4) = 12 and D8 effect. Peter will spend 1 PP (-1 left) to keep his effect die.
Peter gains 2 PP (1 total) for the D4 distinction and for rolling a 1, and the doom pool will add a D6 (D6+2D8 total).
Spider-Man inflicts a D8 Dizzy complication on Fancy Dan. He will also use the opportunity to create a D6 Spider-Signal tech resource (his belt light).

Dan throws Spider-Man feet-first towards a wall, but the wall-crawler sticks to the surface and spins the little martial artist around.

Fancy Dan: “A judo-trained little man’s always more than a match for a guy twice his size! Even when the guy is Spider-Man!”
Spider-Man: “I admire your enthusiasm, Fancy Dan – but you seem to have forgotten how a spider can stick to a wall, and then reverse himself like this! Now you just stay there and rest up for a while, chum! You’re had a busy little day!”

The Watcher spends 2D8 from the doom pool (D6 left) to activate a new 2D8 mob of criminal thugs, who come pouring into the garage. Fancy Dan lets Spider-Man go next. Spider-Man is starting to think that it’s time to put the second part of his plan into action – alerting the police that are waiting for his signal! He switches on his belt light and balances it on the end of his web-shooter. He then attempts to shoot the light outside of the garage.

This is a simple roll against the doom pool. Spider-Man will use the Spider-Signal resource that he just created.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Hero D8 + Swingline D8 + Spider-Signal D6 = D6+3D8 (3, 1, 5, 5) = 10 and D6 effect.
Peter gains 1 PP (2 total) for rolling a 1, and the doom pool adds a D6 (2D6 total).
Doom Pool: 2D6 + Spider-Man’s Stress D6 = 3D6 (5, 2, 3) = 8 and D6 effect.

The light from the Spider-Signal alerts a nearby beat cop, who calls it in, which mobilizes the troops.

Beat Cop: “The Spider Signal! I’ve got to call headquarters!”
Narrator: “Then, within thirty seconds, the sound of the blaring sirens fills the night air in the slumbering city…”
Patrol Car: “It’s the Acme Garage! Give ‘er the gas!”

Spider-Man picks the newly-arrived criminal mob to go next. They attempt to swarm him.

Criminals: Team 2D8 + Tough Guys D8 + Swarm D6 + Combat D6 + Spider-Man’s Stress D6 = D6+4D8 (1, 6, 4, 6, 8) = 14 and D8 effect. The criminals are using their Focus SFX to convert 2D6 into D8.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Wisecracker D8 + Reflexes D10 + Combat D8 = 3D8+D10 (2, 3, 7, 7) = 14 and D8 effect. Peter will spend 2 PP (0 left) to add the 3 to his total and to keep his effect die, for 17 and D8 effect.
Spider-Man inflicts D8 physical stress on the mob.

It’s around this time that the sound of the police sirens reaches the garage. The criminals pick the Big Man to go next. If they were hoping for some leadership, they are sorely disappointed. The Big Man will shoot a gun at Spider-Man, using the gunfire to cover his escape.

The Big Man: Team D8 + Criminal Mastermind D8 + Gun D6 + Spider-Man’s Stress D6 + Doom Pool D6 = D6+3D8 (2, 7, 2, 5) = 12 and D8 effect. The Big Man is using his Focus SFX to covert 2D6 into D8.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Wisecracker D8 + Reflexes D10 + Acrobatics D8 = 3D8+D10 (7, 3, 1, 5) = 12 and D8 effect. Peter will spend 1 PP (-1 left) to add the 3 to his total, for 15 and D8 effect.
Peter gains 1 PP (0 total) for rolling a 1, and the doom pool adds a D6 (2D6 total).

Big Man: “They won’t get here in time to save you! Blast it… if only you didn’t move so fast!”
Spider-Man: “Now you’re not gonna begrudge me my few little talents, are you?”

The Big Man picks Montana to go next, but Montana and then Ox flee the scene. Why stay and fight Spider-Man, and definitely get caught by the police, when they can run and have a chance at freedom?

[Spatula]

Round 5 starts. Fancy Dan heads up the round, and dizzily tries to run away. The remaining criminals follow suit. That leaves the Big Man to act, and he tries to reach a heavy iron door before Spider-Man can catch him. Spider-Man will pursue the masked crime boss.

The Big Man: Solo D6 + Criminal Mastermind D8 + Spider-Man’s Stress D6 + Doom Pool D6 = 3D6+D8 (2, 6, 5, 6) = 12 and D6 effect. The Watcher spend a D6 from the doom pool (empty) to add the 5 to the total, for 17 and D6 effect.
Spider-Man: Solo D8 + Wisecracker D4 + Reflexes D10 + Acrobatics D8 = D4+2D8+D10 (1, 3, 2, 4) = 7 and D8 effect.
Peter gains 2 PP (2 total) for the D4 distinction and for rolling a 1, and the doom pool adds a D6 (D6 total).

The Big Man makes a clean get away. The Enforcers and the gang members are not so lucky – when Spider-Man heads outside, he sees that the police have rounded them all up. And so Spider-Man swings off to the Daily Bugle, intent on capturing the Big Man in his civilian identity – that of J. Jonah Jameson!

Spider-Man: “Too bad the Big Man slipped thru my fingers! But maybe I can still track him down! If he’s the one I think he is – it’s gonna be a real pleasure to bring him in!”

[Spatula]

Act 1, Scene 10: The Daily Bugle
Doom Pool: D6

Over at the Daily Bugle, we see a perturbed Jonah arrive at his office. He is pacing nervously back and forth when Spider-Man reaches his window. Fredrick Foswell enters, intent on showing his new column about Spider-Man to JJJ. But Jonah isn’t interested. “Tear it up! I need more than a column now! I need proof that Spider-Man is the Big Man!”

Foswell is confused. Jonah lays the situation out for him – the Enforcers have been captured, the Big Man escaped, and “the police are apt to find [the Big Man] before too long!” Just then a policeman enters JJJ’s office with an announcement. “We’ve found him already, Jameson!” The moment of truth has arrived, although Peter (watching from the window) has mixed feelings about his boss being the mysterious crime lord. “In a way, I feel sorry! I never thought he was really bad!”

Well, not to worry, Spider-Man! The policeman IDs Foswell as the Big Man, to both JJJ’s and Peter’s surprise. The cops saw the Big Man’s car speeding away from the garage, and followed it to the Daily Bugle. Inside the car (wouldn’t they need a warrant for that?) they found “special built-up shoes,” an over-sized jacket, and an amplifier to disguise one’s voice. Foswell is not pleased. “I’d have gotten away with it, too… if not for (those kids?) some crummy luck!”

Jonah pleads with Foswell to divulge Spider-Man’s involvement in all of this. “If he wasn’t [involved], I’ll be a laughingstock again!” However, Foswell isn’t too worried about that outcome. After the police and their charge are gone, we get some soul-searching from JJJ, and the real reason he hates Spider-Man…

JJJ: “All my life I’ve been interested in only one thing – making money! And yet, Spider-Man risks his life day after day with no thought of reward! If a man like him is good – is a hero – then what am I? I can never respect myself while he lives!
“The truth is, I envy him! I, J. Jonah Jameson – millionaire, man of the world, civic leader – I’d give everything I own to be the man that he is!
“But I can never climb to his level! So all that remains for me is – to try to tear him down – because, Heaven help me – I’m jealous of him!”

Back at Aunt May’s house, Peter dwells on his love life. Why hasn’t he heard anything from Betty? Where is she? Why won’t she let Peter help her? Meanwhile, we see Betty in a Pennsylvania hotel room, crying her eyes out. Whatever her problems, she resolves to see them through alone, even though it hurts to be away from Peter. Only someone like Spider-Man could help her, she thinks, but what chance would she have of getting aid from him? What chance indeed…

The End

[Spatula]

To anyone that made it this far... congratulations, and thanks for reading!