Pulp Alley Question: Using abilities and playing cards on non-player models?

[WuZhuiQiu]

Hi, we ran into this issue in some recent Perilous Island games. Non-player models may not literally be "enemies" or "opponents", but if you're shooting at them or brawling with them, should they really have immunity to abilities and cards that work against "enemies" or "opponents"? In our case, such models included zombies and a Kong-like giant ape...

[FramFramson]

How did you have non-player models? Were these bystanders?

[WuZhuiQiu]

How did you have non-player models? Were these bystanders?

They were monsters in the scenarios, and run by the GM.

[d phipps]

How did you have non-player models? Were these bystanders?

In Perilous Island there are several scenarios that include hostile NPC's -- Sinister Swamp, Lagoon of Terror, Blood Sacrifice, and 1 or 2 others. These NPC's have character profiles and are controlled by the scenario -- typically attacking whoever is closest.

Hi, we ran into this issue in some recent Perilous Island games. Non-player models may not literally be "enemies" or "opponents", but if you're shooting at them or brawling with them, should they really have immunity to abilities and cards that work against "enemies" or "opponents"? In our case, such models included zombies and a Kong-like giant ape...

If a NPC has a character profile and is not identified as friendly in the scenario, we consider it an "enemy". I've been meaning to update the glossary for months. Sorry for the confusion.  

As for "opponent" stuff. Do you have a specific example? Off the top of my head, I can't think of an "opponent" related card/ability that would apply to scenario NPC's...

[WuZhuiQiu]

Thanks for the clarification, David! No, sorry, I can't think of any specific examples of the usage of "opponent" apart from our discussions during the game.

So, if an NPC enemy is closer to the shooter than a league enemy is, the NPC would generally be the priority target?

[Menelduir]

Hi

So I see the dreaded leader of the Scorpion League is here as well!

So it was the blood sacrifice scenario, a player wished to play a card on an innocent, giant, blood thirsty, cute gorilla. Sadly I do not remember the exact card, but may have been along the lines of "When an enemy activates..."

We have played it such that cards that modify an ability of the card player are good to play regardless of who they are fighting. In this case the card was an "enemy" card. The card may have been the restrict the enemy to 3" movement or some such effect. I deemed it (I was the GM), more in keeping with the sense of danger and the overall plot that the card would not have the impact the player wanted.

So far we have considered enemies to be members of other leagues, not the various NPCs, with or without stats. (i.e. zombies or lagoon terrors etc)

We are now advancing to the final chapter, and I am prepping for the next three scenarios. Obviously this could have an impact on those final scenarios, so I too am ken to hear the answer.

As always my friends and I have enjoyed the game immensely, and I appreciate your having answered so many of my questions.

I am hoping to post some of the many, many pictures we have of the games we have played thus far.

Chris

[FramFramson]

In Perilous Island there are several scenarios that include hostile NPC's -- Sinister Swamp, Lagoon of Terror, Blood Sacrifice, and 1 or 2 others. These NPC's have character profiles and are controlled by the scenario -- typically attacking whoever is closest.

Derp. Forgot about those scenario-based ones.

[d phipps]

So, if an NPC enemy is closer to the shooter than a league enemy is, the NPC would generally be the priority target?

Yes, if a hostile NPC is closer then it is the closest "enemy".

So it was the blood sacrifice scenario, a player wished to play a card on an innocent, giant, blood thirsty, cute gorilla. Sadly I do not remember the exact card, but may have been along the lines of "When an enemy activates..."

We have played it such that cards that modify an ability of the card player are good to play regardless of who they are fighting. In this case the card was an "enemy" card. The card may have been the restrict the enemy to 3" movement or some such effect. I deemed it (I was the GM), more in keeping with the sense of danger and the overall plot that the card would not have the impact the player wanted.

So far we have considered enemies to be members of other leagues, not the various NPCs, with or without stats. (i.e. zombies or lagoon terrors etc)

We are now advancing to the final chapter, and I am prepping for the next three scenarios. Obviously this could have an impact on those final scenarios, so I too am ken to hear the answer.

As always my friends and I have enjoyed the game immensely, and I appreciate your having answered so many of my questions.

I am hoping to post some of the many, many pictures we have of the games we have played thus far.

For us, once we slide a character into the enemy column they earn all the benefits. So we would have allowed the "enemy" card to played. 

But the most important rule is "have fun". So if the GM decides a certain cards doesn't work on this NPC, well that's cool too.  

We look forward to seeing your photos!

THANKS for playing Pulp Alley.

HAVE FUN

[Menelduir]

Hi

Going down the rabbit hole a little bit more, would you allow a stated GM controlled enemy to get a fortune card at the start of each turn?
While I am have no interest in killing the players (it is their game and up to them to kill each other ) I do want certain threats to remain, well,  threatening.

The encounter with the lagoon terror was not as challenging as I might have liked. I do not want the players to feel they can ignore a threat from a terror.

Chris

[Menelduir]

The innocent ape in question...

[d phipps]

The innocent ape in question...

Innocent, indeed! They should be ashamed. 

With the mantle of GM'dom comes great power. But you must use your powers for good! 

Re: GM controlled enemy to get a fortune card at the start of each turn?

We've done this a few times and it was lots of fun. You should try it and see how you goes for you guys.

At some point, this can simply become being another "player". So I would encourage limiting your own use of cards to player vs. environment situations (perils, plot points, and monsters).



HAVE FUN

[Wolf Girl]

Going down the rabbit hole a little bit more, would you allow a stated GM controlled enemy to get a fortune card at the start of each turn?
While I am have no interest in killing the players (it is their game and up to them to kill each other ) I do want certain threats to remain, well,  threatening.

When I GM a scenario I'll draw Fortune cards to play as the npc side. I think it adds a bit more fun and excitement to the scenario.