Post by Kevin K on May 29, 2013 9:31:11 GMT -8
Every time I try to use Influence, I do it wrong. Moving tags vs re-moving them, boosting from 1 is a special case, I did the math wrong on the 4 factorial boosts necessary, learned that each boost is itself a separate action that is independently attackable, learned that the spheres don't actually matter except for use and watch, etc. Literally every time there's something new.
There's a point where you have to say: if the people who like rules don't understand a system, then the system needs to change. But I may have a harder time, since I'm familiar with an older system. That said, I read (in detail) the influence changes when they came through. Am I the only one confused here?
Beyond that, why do we have two systems for doing the same thing? If we're going to make Allies into the best way to do this stuff (and they are), then can we just admit that and move forward? Allies (with altID) are faster, just as resilient to attack, and less difficult to grow to the highest levels. Are there even caps on who can be Allies with the high levels? I don't know.
But Allies are fragile! Not from what I hear. Your Ally is a whole *group*, which has to be attacked or discredited. Sounds just like attacking an influence. Happy to be corrected.
But Allies can't trace! Who cares. If you do get some info, it's more than a MONTH later. Oops, it's actually an alternate ID. Take another MONTH to find out who that is. Maybe. And because of the usual disciplines like Obfuscate, Vicissitude, and crazy stupid crack rituals like Framing, etc you don't get a decent Trace anyway. If you're tracing an Ally's usage, they've already summoned Hunters, crashed your businesses, or whatever they were doing like five times over.
But Allies can't block! Characters and their actions sure can. And who cares, if it's already done? It happened in a week. Or in the same night. Influences (except MAYBE dedicated ones) can't block that anyway.
But Allies can't watch! Except when they do. Read the description of Allies. They watch everything I care about--tell your Ally about your business and you get a heads up. Unless they don't. What do they really do? Who knows.
But Allies are more public! I haven't seen how this has made a difference. I still get an Alt Id and need a month's delay and a wizard to know anything.
And for some items, Allies (and their speed) is the only thing that matters. Ooh, I can kill a juicy story FIVE WEEKS from now? Who the heck cares?
I'm frustrated.
There's a point where you have to say: if the people who like rules don't understand a system, then the system needs to change. But I may have a harder time, since I'm familiar with an older system. That said, I read (in detail) the influence changes when they came through. Am I the only one confused here?
Beyond that, why do we have two systems for doing the same thing? If we're going to make Allies into the best way to do this stuff (and they are), then can we just admit that and move forward? Allies (with altID) are faster, just as resilient to attack, and less difficult to grow to the highest levels. Are there even caps on who can be Allies with the high levels? I don't know.
But Allies are fragile! Not from what I hear. Your Ally is a whole *group*, which has to be attacked or discredited. Sounds just like attacking an influence. Happy to be corrected.
But Allies can't trace! Who cares. If you do get some info, it's more than a MONTH later. Oops, it's actually an alternate ID. Take another MONTH to find out who that is. Maybe. And because of the usual disciplines like Obfuscate, Vicissitude, and crazy stupid crack rituals like Framing, etc you don't get a decent Trace anyway. If you're tracing an Ally's usage, they've already summoned Hunters, crashed your businesses, or whatever they were doing like five times over.
But Allies can't block! Characters and their actions sure can. And who cares, if it's already done? It happened in a week. Or in the same night. Influences (except MAYBE dedicated ones) can't block that anyway.
But Allies can't watch! Except when they do. Read the description of Allies. They watch everything I care about--tell your Ally about your business and you get a heads up. Unless they don't. What do they really do? Who knows.
But Allies are more public! I haven't seen how this has made a difference. I still get an Alt Id and need a month's delay and a wizard to know anything.
And for some items, Allies (and their speed) is the only thing that matters. Ooh, I can kill a juicy story FIVE WEEKS from now? Who the heck cares?
I'm frustrated.
