a call for social combos

[mental_u]

i've been playing a heavy social exalted game (of the strongly encouraged to not enter into combat variety) over email with some friends of mine who are now scattered all over the place, and in doing so i've noticed there is a sore lack of social combo ideas floating around, especially those using (solar) presence, a personal favorite of mine.  in fact, the only combo i remember seeing was from 1E in CotI which was basically a die-adder to horizon-to-horizon presence method.  so i'm sending out a general call for ideas concerning social combos.  especially considering the 2E social combat rules, i'd love to see some ideas that deal with the mechanics of how social combos can fit and exploit social combat--nothing like seeing how the system bends and breaks, right?


one that i've been thinking about takes its inspiration from the one found in CotI:


Majesty Knows No Boarders


Horizon-to-Horizon Presence Method, Terrifying Apparition of Glory, Second Presence Excellency (8m +2m per success +2wp) [xp cost: 11]


when horizon-to-horizon presence method activates (either reflexively or consciously), this gives the option to immediately activate 2nd presence excellency for additional successes and make the attack undodgable (terrifying apparition of glory being as close as social attacks can currently go in being "unblockable").


suggestions and comments on this idea are welcomed.  and of course if you've been toying with social combos, let's hear about them.

 

[Moonsilver]

Just a point:


"(either reflexively or consciously)"


A reflexive Charm is still a conscious action. You can't  use a reflexive Charm knocked out or asleep.


I think its a good idea to only use real Social Combat sparingly (as I think you said), keeping it to action based turns.


Welcome to the forums!

 

[Flagg]

Then what is Surprise Anticipation Method?

 

[random5000uk]

here's a favourite combo of mine, i'm actually working towards this in a RL game i'm in.


Letter-within-a-letter Technique (6m)


Whirling Brush Method (4m)


Twisted Words Technique (6m +1w)


1st Socialize Excellency (0+ m)


1st Presence Excellency (0+ m)


total cost 16m + 2w (+0-20m for the two excellencies)


I developed this combo as a way innitially as a way to easily recruit members for a cult to me    :twisted:


what's supposed to happen (or, more truthfully, how i see it working) is...


you write a message using letter-within-a-letter technique, which you write quicker because of whirling brush method. the hidden message counts as unnatural mental influnce thanks to twisted words technique. i've put the 2 excellencies in just in case the user feels they are needed.


although the entire combo is hugely expensive, thier would be no essence flare from the combo and once used the message written (in my mind) should would work indefinatly.

 

[mental_u]

A reflexive Charm is still a conscious action. You can't  use a reflexive Charm knocked out or asleep.

thanks for the note -- like surprise anticipation method, horizon-to-horizon presence method explicitly states that it can be activated without conscious action: "Indeed, the Charm may be activated unconsciously as the character's charismatic aura affects people and events completely outside of her knowledge."


and i have to put out here that i'm in total agreement with limiting the use of social combat -- there's no reason to take the role playing out of rpgs!  especially for white wolf games.  that said, i find that common sense breaks down when magic is in play, and that's when having social combat rules come online makes sense.


so a question for random5000uk specifically and everyone in general: could a combo that crosses ability boundaries (i.e. with both 1st socialize and presence excellencies) both affect the individual reading the letter and the social group that the letter is directed to (and for the thought experiment, feel free to replace letter with speech or whatever)?  the lines between individual and mass combat blurs quickly for me and thus far i've managed to side step the issue, mostly because i do not have social combos that do these things in play yet.  do people have strong opinions one way or another for allowing this kind of 'doubling up' of attacks both towards individuals and groups?

Welcome to the forums!

thanks!

 

[Chaka]

Just a point:
"(either reflexively or consciously)"


A reflexive Charm is still a conscious action. You can't  use a reflexive Charm knocked out or asleep.

Except when you can.

 

[random5000uk]

i can't say really, i never considered that aspect of the combo i posted