Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group

[Soulliard]

I'm wrapping up a pulp campaign now, that's lasted almost 6 months. I introduced a number of new edges, most of which turned out pretty well. They generally aren't setting specific, so I thought I'd share them with you.

I'll try to post a new edge each day or so, until I reach the end of my list. That way there won't be information overload with a giant post full of edges.

A few caveats:
-These edges work well for my gaming group. I wouldn't recommend them for everyone.
-I prefer to emphasize fun over realism. I don't mind a rule being a bit silly if you stop to think about it, as long as everyone's having a blast at the table.
-I combined race creation and edges for this game, since there weren't any standard races besides humans, but I wanted to leave the option open for playing something weird (like the characters from Hellboy). This worked well, so I think I'll continue this system in the future. A lot of the new background edges duplicate the effects of racial abilities.
-Some of these edges were inspired by edges I read in books or online. If an edge sounds familiar, it's probably because I stole the idea.
-I'll add a justification for each new edge to explain why I think it was a good addition to my game.

Without further ado, here's the first combat edge I added:

Far Throw
Requirements: Strength d6+
Your hero puts extra muscle behind his thrown weapons. His range with thrown weapons is doubled.

Justification: Thrown weapons are generally weaker than projectiles (especially in terms of range), so I wanted to provide options for a character more specialized in thrown attacks. Thematically, it makes sense, since stronger folks can generally throw further and more accurately.

[Soulliard]

Today's edge!

Forceful
Requirements: Strength d8+
Your hero delivers exceptionally powerful blows. If damage from his fighting attacks exceeds the target’s toughness, the target is pushed back 1”, as long as the target is no more than 3 sizes larger than the hero. This does not allow the hero to use Improved First Strike multiple times against a single enemy in a single turn.

Justification: This is an interesting edge for taking advantage of terrain, but there are two more common advantages to taking it. It makes withdrawing from combat easier, and it helps trigger First Strike. The latter use is probably the most powerful, but enemies can usually just attack someone else instead, so I don't think it's overpowered.

[peregry]

[Soulliard]

[Lord Karick]

[feuer_faust]

Is Jaded a hindrance? I seem to remember playing -some- game where Jaded basically gave a character a bonus to resist fear and shock (been there, done that). On the other hand, it was hard for the character to be excitable or personable as a result.
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[Table 1-1: Signature] D6: 1 (nothing) 2 (quote) 3 (image) 4 (WLD record: relevant game [table 1-2]) 5 (internet meme) 6 (Critical Sig: roll 2 more times)

Rolled a 2:

[canology]

Jaded is in Realms of Cthulhu, and I believe works like you remember...

[Soulliard]

New Edge!

Improved Defense
Requirements: Fighting d8+
Your hero has a defensive fighting style, and can easily parry attacks when he focuses on it. When taking the Defend or Total Defense actions, he gains an additional +2 Parry. He may also make a defensive attack, which takes a -2 penalty but gives him +2 Parry until his next turn. This may not be combined with a Wild Attack.

Justification: Defending certainly has its uses, but it's not something that comes up all the time. It strikes me as an interesting area to specialize for someone focused on defense, such as a cop or a guard.

[Merlin_Sylver]

[Soulliard]

I figure if +1 Parry is worth an edge (Block, etc.), a situational +2 Parry is also worth an edge.

As far as the name goes, my group comes from a D&D background so we're pretty used to D&D's naming structure. I suppose a name like 'Defender' or 'Guardian' would fit SW better.

[Merlin_Sylver]

It's not the parry bonus that's too awesome... it's the addition of allowing an attack while on Full Defense. IMO, anyway...
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Yes! I have captured your cat and placed him in this box where he will either flourish or perish as chance dictates!

[Soulliard]

An attack at -2. Compared to Block, you get +1 parry in exchange for a -2 attack penalty (and the inability to wild attack).

Anyways, new edge!

Lunge
Requirements: Agility d8+, Fighting d8+
Your hero darts in and out of melee combat. He effectively gains +1 Reach with any melee weapon.

Justification: This one's pretty straightforward, but it requires a bit of imagination. Imagine the character darting in and out of combat each round.

[Soulliard]

New Edge!

Point Blank Shot
Requirements: Fighting d6+
Your hero maintains his cool even when threatened in close combat. He may use any weapon at melee range, including rifles.

Justification: I suspect most people who would find this edge relevant will just use a pistol or a bayonet instead of spending an edge. Still, it works pretty well with shotguns. Unless you have Martial Arts, you still take an unarmed defender penalty.

To be honest, I added this edge just so I could make a character specialized in gun kata.

[Merlin_Sylver]

[Boldfist]

Hello Soulliard!

Not sure if you have any other Savage Worlds books/pdfs but several of the Edges you have proposed (Howl, Improved Defend, Lunge, Point Blank Shot) are in several other setting books. So I'd say you are on a good track. Although your Requirements seem a bit low for most of these Edges.
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Norm "No Relation" Hensley

[Soulliard]

New Edge!

Poisoner
Requirements: Stealth d8+
Your hero has a supply of poison that he can use to coat his weapons. Doing so takes a single action, and no other actions may be taken on that turn. When applying the poison, the character must choose whether he is applying a paralyzing poison or a deadly poison. Any victim shaken by the weapon must make a Vigor roll or suffer the effects of the poison – paralyzation for 1d6 rounds or 1 automatic wound. The poison is removed from your weapon after the victim makes the Vigor roll.

Justification: This one's a bit funky, but it was implemented due to the alternate equipment rules I use. I wouldn't recommend it for games where characters can find or buy poison as normal equipment (or games where poison is forbidden, of course). The limiting factor for this Edge is the high number of actions required to create an effect that can still be shaken off with a Vigor roll.

[SteelDraco]

This is worded strangely - do they get to make the Vigor roll each round if paralyzed or just once, when they're hit?

[Soulliard]

Just once, when they're hit. I'll clarify the text.

[Zadmar]

[Soulliard]

New Edge!

Team Attack
Requirements: Fighting d8+
Your hero and his allies move and attack as a single unit. He gains double the normal bonus from Ganging Up.

Justification: This Edge is potentially very powerful, and I wouldn't allow it in certain types of games. In a medieval war campaign, for example, ganging up is so easy that this edge would be terribly overpowered. For my pulp game, in which the heroes are usually on their own, and only a few actually use melee weapons, it is more balanced. It adds a nice bit of strategy to certain combats.