Post by voidtrekker on Mar 10, 2008 18:30:13 GMT
Okay, imagine the following scenario. The players and GM have just sat down to play a game of Inquisitor.
GM: Alright, the scenario is as follows. You are contacted by astropath transmission while taking a few quiet days on the Caladan paradise planet. It seems that the local Astropath collegium got a message entitled ULTRA-SECRET: INQUISITION ONLY! SEND HELP. The message was from the Brig Moritori Capellus, which claims to be under attack by Xenos aliens in the Wolf's Claw Nebula. You have the only warp capable ship that can reach it within the month. You head for the nebula and find the Brig. It shows only faint power readings. Long range bioscans are inconclusive. Your adept believes that this could indicate a dormant genestealer brood.
NAVIGATOR PLAYER: Does it answer a hail?
GM: No.
INQUISITOR PLAYER: Any sign that the ship could use its weapons to attack us?
GM: It seems unlikely, but it is possible that it is masking its energy signature in some way.
INQUISITOR PLAYER: Okay, we'll get the navigator to drive us into docking position. First, we'll depressurize the hull, so that if we do get shot at, it won't cause an atmosphere explosion. Then, once we're docked, we'll enter the vessel.
GM: Okay, you're all dead. Now, let's roll up some new characters...
ALL PLAYERS TOGETHER: WHAT!?
GM: You're all dead. You all died of vacuum exposure when you depressurized the hull and opened the airlock?
INQUISITOR PLAYER: Why? We all bought sealed suits?
GM: Well, yes, you did, but you're not wearing them. You do realize that this game is WYSIWYG, don't you? I know I made that clear in the first session. And none of you have converted your characters to reflect the sealed suits. No, I'm sorry, you're all dead.
SPACE MARINE CHARACTER: But... My character is wearing powered armor!
GM: Yes, but he's left his helmet off, hasn't he? No, I'm sorry. Now, for our next campaign, how about some Pokemon roleplaying?
***
Now, this may seem a little silly, but if you played most WYSIWYG games according to the rules, this is exactly what should happen in that situation. I think we can, therefore, assume that nobody REALLY plays WYSIWYG in a game like Inquisitor.
So, how far do you take it? Just the weapons? Just the weapons and armor?
For my games, I almost dispense with it altogether. I want some verisimilitude (i.e. please don't tell me that the 25mm D&D gnome illusionist is a 54mm Eldar Harlequin) but as long the race is right, and the weapons are reasonably close and the figure is painted, I really don't care too much.
GM: Alright, the scenario is as follows. You are contacted by astropath transmission while taking a few quiet days on the Caladan paradise planet. It seems that the local Astropath collegium got a message entitled ULTRA-SECRET: INQUISITION ONLY! SEND HELP. The message was from the Brig Moritori Capellus, which claims to be under attack by Xenos aliens in the Wolf's Claw Nebula. You have the only warp capable ship that can reach it within the month. You head for the nebula and find the Brig. It shows only faint power readings. Long range bioscans are inconclusive. Your adept believes that this could indicate a dormant genestealer brood.
NAVIGATOR PLAYER: Does it answer a hail?
GM: No.
INQUISITOR PLAYER: Any sign that the ship could use its weapons to attack us?
GM: It seems unlikely, but it is possible that it is masking its energy signature in some way.
INQUISITOR PLAYER: Okay, we'll get the navigator to drive us into docking position. First, we'll depressurize the hull, so that if we do get shot at, it won't cause an atmosphere explosion. Then, once we're docked, we'll enter the vessel.
GM: Okay, you're all dead. Now, let's roll up some new characters...
ALL PLAYERS TOGETHER: WHAT!?
GM: You're all dead. You all died of vacuum exposure when you depressurized the hull and opened the airlock?
INQUISITOR PLAYER: Why? We all bought sealed suits?
GM: Well, yes, you did, but you're not wearing them. You do realize that this game is WYSIWYG, don't you? I know I made that clear in the first session. And none of you have converted your characters to reflect the sealed suits. No, I'm sorry, you're all dead.
SPACE MARINE CHARACTER: But... My character is wearing powered armor!
GM: Yes, but he's left his helmet off, hasn't he? No, I'm sorry. Now, for our next campaign, how about some Pokemon roleplaying?
***
Now, this may seem a little silly, but if you played most WYSIWYG games according to the rules, this is exactly what should happen in that situation. I think we can, therefore, assume that nobody REALLY plays WYSIWYG in a game like Inquisitor.
So, how far do you take it? Just the weapons? Just the weapons and armor?
For my games, I almost dispense with it altogether. I want some verisimilitude (i.e. please don't tell me that the 25mm D&D gnome illusionist is a 54mm Eldar Harlequin) but as long the race is right, and the weapons are reasonably close and the figure is painted, I really don't care too much.