Aura durations idea. Looking for input...

[jaysin1414]

I was thinking that the current Aura duration as stated in the core book isn't always sufficient for all situations. I'd like to propose an idea and get some feedback to see if anyone likes it, hates it, or might be using a different rule themselves that they feel better fits the bill.

As stated in the rulebook, an Aura duration lasts until a card with an aura identical to the played Narrator card is drawn, right?

Let's say the Narrator wants something to last for awhile longer, but would still appreciate a mechanic that governs said duration instead of a GM fiat?

The idea I was thinking to solve the situation would be to have three different classes of Aura Durations: Long, Short and Average.

A Long Duration would last until the Narrator drew an identical Aura from an identical suit. (For games that unfold Attributes, the card must be the identical color). At the start of the Aura duration the Narrator would note the last card played and said effect would last until the very same suit (or color) were drawn of the required Aura.

An Average Duration would last until the Narrator draws an identical Aura from complimentary (either physical or mental) suits. For example, if the card at the start of a duration is the Purple Willpower suit, than either a Purple or Blue card (both mental traits) would be sufficient to bring the Aura duration to a close.

Lastly, a Short Duration would be identical to the durations as exist in the rules today. Any required aura, once drawn again, ends the duration.

What do the experts think?

[Tommy Brownell]

No.

An Aura duration lasts until an opposing Aura card is drawn for the Narrator's card. Which is wholly inappropriate for things like, say, Colossus' powers...because he can suddenly snap back human on a dime, which is nothing like he has ever appeared.

Not a bad fix for most aura durations, though. I'd be willing to try it out.

[jaysin1414]

I guess I worded my idea incorrectly. I was considering changing Aura durations for situations that he Narrator thinks should be a little longer than the standard call. For example, if Johnny Storm, after falling into a vat of fire-extinguishing foam, can't Flame On! again until after an Aura Duration, I was thinking that having the option of three potentially different periods might improve the rule. Regarding whether or not a positive or negative card is required, that aspect wouldn't change (though I completely crossed them in my initial post. sorry). If an effect is set to take place, a positive would still be required - if it's set to end, a negative would be required. My idea would only change the suit and/or complimentary suit that be required for said effect to take place. I do apologize for crossing the polarities, I'm kind of free-wheel thinking here trying to get ideas out (here and on paper) as I prep a game for my buddies.

But to be sure, I wholly agree that durations shouldn't be for something like Colossus being in steel form. If that were the case, there'd be little advantage for him to be able to shift if he could pop back at any instance without his control...especially if facing armed foes.

I'm curious... there's several powers that state that they require concentration to maintain. I've tried to locate in the book where there's a mechanic for concentration. Would it be a Power action (or Willpower?) with a variable difficulty, dependent upon situation? Do you think that the Narrator could determine that the effect lasts for at least an Aura Duration before a Concentration action is required? My concern is something like Thor and Weather control. Certainly he shouldn't have any difficulty maintaining a storm, but shouldn't there be an amount of time before he should have to maintain it?

What do you think?

[Tommy Brownell]

I would say concentration is automatic unless something would disrupt it. If Thor has to concentrate on maintaining a storm, he's fine as long as he wants to be...unless The Hulk suckerpunches him...then you might look into a Willpower action.

And allow me to clarify...my "No" was to clarify your reading of the stated aura duration rules...which, for further clarification is as follows: If an effect is supposed to happen in an aura duration (like a bomb going off, or an eclipse occuring, etc) than on the next positive Narrator's draw, the effect kicks in. If an effect is ending (such as a power with an aura duration) then with the narrator's next negative draw, the effect ends.

I see, and appreciate, what you are going for with the rule...seems very workable for flexibility in the aura duration rules.

[jaysin1414]

I just wanted to thank you for your input. As I've looked at various areas where I want to make edits in the game, I'm also noticing that there's a simple elegance to the game that I really don't want to mess with. Having someone to bounce ideas off of is such a wonderful resource.

I think the variable Aura Duration is an ok idea, but it's neither mandatory nor too burdensome, so I'm not sure if it'll make the final cut.

The areas where I really want to concentrate are the ways that SAGA handles distance (my players are going to FREAK at not being able to play on a map and count squares) ,character creation, and advancement.

That being said, I received your zip files with your house rules and I'm looking forward to incorporating some of them as well.

The foundation of SAGA is fantastic, there's just a few places where I think it shows its age and could use a quick fix...

But again, thanks for being willing to discuss ideas ;D

[Tommy Brownell]

Character creation and advancement are both AWFUL IMHO.

Very, very bad. Weakest points in the game, period.

I, personally, am fine with distance as it appears in Reed Richards Guide To Everything. But I'm not really a "maps and minis" kinda guy.

By the way...you suck, because I find myself wanting to bust out my SAGA stuff now, and I really don't have the time for that...=)

[jaysin1414]

Dude...there's always time for gaming. We can always sleep when we're dead, until then...throw down some Fate cards or roll some dice and have some fun...

Hopefully, I'll check back in a little bit (read: a day or two) with some ideas regarding advancement to get your opinions on them.

Until then... I will continue to suck. ;D

[bass]

I generally don't use aura durations - especially for things like Colossus' powers. I agree with Tommy that character creation and advancement are rubbish in SAGA.

The way I've always used aura durations, if I needed to, was simple; if the thing that's going to happen (bomb goes off, deathray turns on, what-have-you) is BAD for the players, it happens on the next negative aura. If the thing that's going to happen is GOOD for the players, it happens on the next positive aura.

[wizzer]

I handle aura duration the same way than bass: positive = good for the characters, negative = bad.

I've tried once to make one aura reading per durable effect but it makes too many cards to draw.

And many of my players wanted a stunt to increase aura duration for their power, so I used the following one, usable with most powers:
Increased Duration: The effect of your hero's power last one more aura duration. This stunt can be taken more than once and is cumulative with itself.

For exemple, take it once and the Narrator will need 2 negative aura reading to return Colossus to flesh. Take it twice and he will need 3 readings. And so on...

Another way to handle aura duration is to give it a duration equal to the score of the action (power + cards) and to decrease this number by the narrator cards each round, just like the countdown in the Reed Richards Guide to Everything.

[jaysin1414]

Thanks!

Your idea makes perfect sense and is less complicated to boot. I'm about 3/4 through a quick set of rules for my gamers so I'll get a chance to try it out (if such a situation arises) once the game begins.

I'm having a ball putting together the rules and I always love to hear what house rules people use and to what effect. The original SAGA rules are pretty awesome, but every game can use a little tweak here and there. My problem has always been when to stop tweaking. I'm just hoping the little changes I make don't overly complicate the game, which would destroy it as it's greatest asset is its playability and simplicity.

Once I'm done with it, I'd love to have a couple of you check it out and see what your opinion is of it.

[Tommy Brownell]

Absolutely. Send me what you got when you got it, and even if I can't put them into practice I will certainly read them thoroughly for you.

[jaysin1414]

Well...my dragonkards are on order, the booklet is mostly done and the game is scheduled to be played on 3/15.

1) I'll let everyone know how viable Dragonkards are for the SAGA game
www.dragonkard.com

2) I'll email you a copy of the rules to review Tommy. Please note that I'm not rewriting everything whole cloth. What's good, I'm leaving as is or simply editing with some of my stylistic choices. What I'm changing I can point for you so you don't have to reread sections that are essentially the same as what you normally use.

3) I hope to come up with a way to email you the template of the cards I'm using (so if you're so inspired, you can cut out and use as well...or whatever..)

4) I hope to do this all within the next 3 weeks...

5) ...wish me luck.

[Tommy Brownell]

1) Cool! Hadn't heard of these before.

2) Excellent. Looking forward to it.

3) Very nice. Looking forward to that, too.

4) Awesome, awesome.

5) Good luck!

[wizzer]

Feb 5, 2009 11:09:48 GMT -5 jaysin1414 said:

Once I'm done with it, I'd love to have a couple of you check it out and see what your opinion is of it.

I'd love to see that too. But beware, English is not my mothertongue so I will be unable to see orthographic/grammatic mistakes.
On the other hand, I will see all too complicated wordings.