Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group

steelbrok · Veteran Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 792 Location: UK

The Interface power from Necessary Evil allows a +4 modifier to rolls involving computers and other electronics

Would you give a bonus to something like a Piloting roll if the pilot is jacked into the flight computer?

supercOntra · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:47 am Post subject:

I'd allow it if you have total control through the computer. Like smart chipped hardware in cyberpunk
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steelbrok · Veteran Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 792 Location: UK

That's the type of scenario I was thinking of but +4 seems a very powerful bonus.....maybe the character should suffer psychosomatic wounds if the ship is hit or something?

DaRealJudas · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:35 am Post subject:

jamused · Seasoned Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 132

I wouldn't, or Interface becomes a universal modifier to anything that could plausibly have a computer control it. Instead I'd allow the Interface to give a +4 to the roll to interface with the computer that's controlling the system (whether it's a fighter jet, a nuclear power plant, or a coffee-maker), but all that does is allow you to use the relevant skill (Pilot, Repair, Common Knowledge) via the computer interface instead of by manually punching buttons and so forth. Certain systems might be built so you have to have the Interface power to "jack in" (no manual controls), but I'd still require that you use the relevant skill without any special bonus. If you want fly-by-thought fighters to be better than regular ones, give the bonus to the equipment, e.g. in the form of a Handling bonus.

Poor Wandering One · Veteran Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 536

steelbrok · Veteran Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 792 Location: UK

Interesting discussion

The power is being used in a Traveller (ish) conversion and I eventually went for the allowing Interface to be taken but only granting a blanket +2 to those systems that are equipped for computer control (so no shooting bonus for a rifle but you would get one for firing a starship laser)
The down side is that there is prejudice against cybernetics and revealing an Interface would subject the character to this

There is a second edge (Synchronised) that allows the +4 bonus and allows two computer controlled actions to be taken without a MAP
The Synchronised are constantly (and unconsciously) sending information back to the shadowy Controllers however and risk the implanting of “suggestions”