08-26-2021, 02:44 PM
(08-26-2021, 12:59 PM)Oyster. Wrote: ...
I (mostly) agree with you and have shared similar views in private, namely because there's been an abundance of requests for moment apps and it feels like if someone is losing, they'll slip one in. While this isn't the case for the majority of fights, if it is for a small fraction of them then it's still somewhat problematic.
To your specific points,
1. Even if the slight power upgrade is a part of it, moreso the 'benefit' is the wow factor that flashing it in the moment grants, and the subsequent roleplay.
2. Less so 'close fights'. More like when there are clear handicaps and the build up / scene has put the underdog in a way that spotlighting them isn't a bad thing.
I'll give you some examples of where it was used in a very effective, fun way:
Quote:Lando vs Marcel - Both taking flight as the mines of Silverwall were destroyed and being granted a hidden in an epic clash with public/local announcements. A large crowd watched as the battle was effectively decided by their fight.
Nidaz vs Hypnos - A veteran of the Void encounters an upstart that proceeds to mirror and surpass him as they go at it. All watch in suspense.
Alexei vs Torgon - A Dullalan 'rises again' to fight while outmatched. Many of his deep wounds miraculously healing as he's granted Death's Door, refusing to be buried by earth magic.
Ragnhild vs Illythia - An old, beaten down elder makes a last stand as her home is torn into pieces by the invading force. Her scarred body breaks; overclocked with a cosmic blessing that burns her skin and appears in scalding leylines, burning away her impurities and weaknesses with the might of Kark.
Rowen vs Eldin - Desperate and on the verge of watching his wife die at the hands of her cousin, a Rhoynish warrior unlocks his ancestral power in a nail biting clash to save his love.
That's just five: Some very recent examples and some older ones. I could easily list twenty that had a similar appeal / energy. So it's not without its merits. If a scene is good enough to the point where it deserves a public or local narration, then awarding either party (or both) with an ability is a positive call.
What it tells players: We're watching. We're engaged.
We, the admins, are your hype men and as the DMs and overseers, want to use our storytelling power to highlight and uplift your roleplay. To make it feel memorable to both yourself and others. That's the power of this tool and spontaneous, unexpected rewards. Of effectively turning a standard battle into an on the spot event.
That said, there are downsides. Some of them are,
1. It can be seen solely as a power upgrade rather than a narrative highlight. I've watched stances be requested for (and sometimes even approved). This is not a hype moment.
2. The worry of 'since my opponent might be granted something, I need to do so too' contributes to the above.
3. Requesting can slow things down. Being told 'no' even if your request isn't up to the standards might be demotivating for the person involved.
4. Hectic / difficult to handle during a large event, such as a war. If we have 5 requests at the same time it's challenging for us to review each one properly and fairly. Likely going to mean denials all around as the meat grinder of a giant battle isn't a fitting place for it, perhaps.
Pros vs cons. Despite my own grievances for what's effectively a very experimental system, I'm in favor of it because I think the scenes and appeal it's created in the right moments has been worth it.