Supernatural Dice Pool Reference Cards

[Cytheran]

I forget about cp sometimes because I don't use it. I try to only assign 5 dicemax to one or two units though. What would stats be for say a standard pirates cannon that I want to use explosive ammo be?
Is it just shooting a size 1 exp? (Which would make sense thinking about it now)Since I usually play solo I just fudge, a lot. And I just started using the
2010 Rulebook.

[Predator]

Not to mention, I've slaughtered opponents with "under"powered stuff before when they have bad general-ship  

I 2nd that. I once had a Riot scenario where I played about 100 guys, and the opponent played 15 hero like guys. Won it. (No pics, cuz my phone failed me and some1 else borrowed my cam)

[Rev. Sylvanus]

What would stats be for say a standard pirates cannon that I want to use explosive ammo be?
Is it just shooting a size 1 exp? (Which would make sense thinking about it now)Since I usually play solo I just fudge, a lot. And I just started using the
2010 Rulebook.

If you wanted it based on explosive rounds, I'd say make it a size 2" launcher (6cp, use 4, 12" range) and then buy as many explosives as you think you will need. I typically only bring about 4 explosives per thing that uses them since most games I've played don't go very far beyond turn 6, and with a 12" range you may need a turn or two to maneuver into position.

[IX_Legion]

The idea of over- versus under- powered is a moot point if no one calculates CP. Because at that point the game becomes about whatever you feel like bringing and stats can be whatever your heart desires.

That's my problem, because in nearly all the battles I fight I play both sides, so I just pull out some armies and fight it out. Bit hard when the completely arbitrary SDs get thrown in.

[Rev. Sylvanus]

It is also interesting to note that so many other games suffer from "OP casters." Warhammer, WH 40K, DnD, many RTS's, etc. In many of these games, a caster left unchecked is often devastating. So in "casual" brikwars, an army that doesn't commit a lot of resources to eliminating a caster early will probably be hurting in the long run. Another option would be to make sure both sides have comparable numbers of SD dice/casters. OR, for every wizard an opponent has over your own, you can add a hero that ignores crankiness. Or enjoy the challenges of up hill battles  

[IVhorseman]

Or enjoy the challenges of up hill battles  

More often than not, this is the eventual conclusion. Having an even number of dice might be a quick enough balance though.

[stubby]

It is also interesting to note that so many other games suffer from "OP casters." Warhammer, WH 40K, DnD, many RTS's, etc. In many of these games, a caster left unchecked is often devastating. So in "casual" brikwars, an army that doesn't commit a lot of resources to eliminating a caster early will probably be hurting in the long run.

More dice mean more consistent Fumbles though - powerful casters leave their own sides hurting in the long run also.

[Colette]

I play tested SD dice (have pics but too lazy right now), and found wizards to have alot of offensive power but still easy to defeat. The mage on the other team managed to destroy my dreadnought with one spell, but I killed her on the next turn. I think it's about fair (also, she had a dice pool of 3d6, 2d8, and 1d12), but of course this could change once stubby works out SD response actions.

[Voin]

These are also all great examples of how big a certain kind of supernatural dice pool should be!

About that... I've been meaning to ask - is there any sort of consensus on what's an appropriate amount of SN dice to use for certain "levels" of SN-Users? From Sylvanus' examples, I can see that most of his "wizards" have 5 dice, the Epic guy has 7, & the Generic-wizard (we can assume... still learning or something, maybe?) has 3.

I was thinking maybe as a general guideline, we could divide by Low/Medium/High SN tiers (not "hard-n'-fast" rules, mind you, just to help people match an appropriate amount of SN dice to a concept - kinda like the cliche examples):

Low: Mostly other functions (preferably direct combat), slightly imbued w/ a bit of SN to give them that extra edge, (warrior who can affect themselves/weapon/equipment, but not much else). Often serve as footsoldiers/bodyguards to the higher tiers of SN units.

Examples: Augmented/Super-Soldiers, Farce-Warriors, Paladins, Rangers, "street-level" supers, Psyblades



Medium: A healthy balance of martial prowess (or other specialty) & SN.

Examples: Acolytes, Bards, Magik Knights, mid-level-supers, Spell-Swords, Warpriests



High: Master-Level SN-users, possibly a step down from true demigods. Will often command lesser SN/mundane troops. Typically physically weak Glass Cannons, able to dish out an apocalypse from afar, but run at the sight of a papercut (though #NotAllWizards).

Examples: Archmages, ArchClerix, Druids, Farce-Wizards, high-level supers, Psyonisists, Technomancers, Witches

[Voin]

These are also all great examples of how big a certain kind of supernatural dice pool should be!

I like to use incendiary specialists with just a single supernatural d4 to introduce new players to supernatural dice - but given the limitations they can only really use it to make their grenades and bullets do a bit extra damage, or as a boost to armor in their "kevlar vest" or whatever.

It's true, these are all wizard/caster-type oriented. Similar to what you are saying IV, I'd really like to start running some Berserker barbarians in my barbarian force who all have a single d6 for conditioning/athletic use. Essentially, this would give the option of dumping +1d6 to movement, being "armored" or increasing damage each turn. The potential devastation such a fig would cause, even with just a hand-weapon, is utterly tempting!

That's... strangely to my own house-ruled "berserker" ability that I had been playing some battles with, although mine had their d6 buff based off an AutoGun-like "gamble" (w/ a corresponding debuff if they lost). Your version sounds simpler though, so I may just start using that.