For quite a while I have pondered making a podcast talking about the fun old Street Fighter RPG, but a Podcast can be a lot of work, and with so few official books is the effort worth it? So, I decided to focus on the translations of Warrior’s Fist (Punho do Guerreiro) and other Brazilian fan supplements, plus my own projects and fiction. Recently, I nearly started a SFRPG podcast due to a chat on the Facebook group about tutorial videos. Thankfully, I now feel like I don’t need to, since Kris Newton of the MegaDumbCast recently finished a fantastic & funny analysis of the Secrets of Shadoloo.
I first came across the MegaDumbCast in September 2019 via Mage: the Podcast, which I have blogged about previously. Since then they have collaborated again: Making an Archmage Dating Sim with Kris Newton. A fun and interesting episode diving deep in to Mage’s metaplot and characters, plus the game concept sounded great!
The MegaDumbCast (MDC) has primarily focused on Palladium games, such as: Heroes Unlimited, Beyond the Supernatural, Transdimensional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Ninjas & Superspies; so Kris is no stranger to fun RPGs focused on Martial Arts. MDC’s Secrets of Shadoloo series is extra special, with each episode focusing on a single page, methodically going through the whole book, and even the covers! Each page was scoured in search of clues, to then ascertain the many Secrets of Shadoloo. Consider the following clues: Ler Drit & Cross Fit, No Bull – a True Crime podcast, Shadoloo & Snacks, the importance of Turnstiles, and so much more is revealed.
Here is latest translation for the Street Fighter RPG (SFRPG) Brazilian fanzine: Punho do Guerreiro. Thank you to Eric and Giovane for the original issue, as well as their help with the translations.
This issue examines Karate Combat and how to implement this traditional fighting competition into Street Fighter. The next installment of the series looking at the origins of Elementals. This article looks at different Elemental cults, religious and cultural groups of mages (witches/sorcerers/etc.). There is a nice hint of Mage: the Ascension here as well, those conversion ideas were covered previously in WF8.
This issue looks at the idea of running a Mortal Kombat: Conquest setting, plus we are given character sheets for: Kung Lao, Siro, and Taja! I love the cheesy good fun with of that series, it had good character development, consequences, etc., and although I have run SFRPG games in that setting before, I never made sheets for the main characters, so it is great to see some.
The Forest Demon is an adventure about a chance to train with Ryu, but, well things go awry. The Maneuver of the Month is Butterfly Kick. This month’s Circuit Legend is the kickboxing legend: Tadashi Sawamura! Finally, information on the Brazilian Online Circuit.
Issue 24. Plus here is a link to the folder for Warrior’s Fist, which includes all the issues, the Circuit Guide, and the Mortal Kombat files. The whole folder can be downloaded as a Zip file 🙂
I present a PDF of different tables presenting the numerous articles from Punho do Guerreiro (Warrior’s Fist) in different categories. A fantastic Brazilian fanzine for Street Fighter RPG (SFRPG).
Thank you to the many contributors of Warrior’s Fist (WF). They have provided a treasure-trove of ideas. (Obrigado aos muitos contribuições da Punho do Guerreiro (PdG). Eles têm fornecido uma riqueza de ideias.)
Here is another translation of Punho do Guerreiro, a Brazilian fanzine for Street Fighter RPG (SFRPG).
This special takes a deep dive in to Anime, covering many ideas from numerous Anime, and how they can be used in SFRPG. A look at Street Fighters in the World of Darkness, or Chronicles of Darkness, would they become a special type of hunter?
The Maneuver of the Month: Pluck Hair. The Circuit Legend is the special Tiger Robocop and his Kabuki Town arena. Lastly, the addition of the Dojo background, updating an old idea.
TL;DR: A high-quality book that perfectly adds to Mage, plus the World of Darkness (see below). Consider this a core book.
Given the vast scope of Mage, there are so many topics that have not received the deep-dive that they could really do with; a classic Mage problem, but also an understandable one considering the scope of the game. This supplement wonderfully expands upon Nodes, Resonance, and Quintessence, but that would be too simple and so it is great that the author, Charles Siegel, also examines Tass & Ley Lines. The book’s information is clearly presented and thorough, whilst avoiding swamping the game with extra complexity. For example: the rotes are helpfully listed in subsections, making it easy to find a rote relating to a specific topic.
The supplement’s opening is strong, explaining why the book was created. The next topic is a key question in Mage, The Nature of Nodes. It provides us with 13 theories about nodes via a paradigm P.o.V., something that will empower most games. The theories also cover how an individual’s viewpoints, might influence the ways they’d handle a node in relation to the Ascension War, as well as other types of Nightfolk; whether to defend, abandon, or destroy a node. Giving Nodes Resonance, plus other mystical aspects, helps emphasize both the metaphysics of the setting, as well as why some Factions may miss, dismiss, or prioritize a location. All-in-all this first section alone makes this book a must have for any Storyteller, providing a web of ideas to help make the Ascension War easier to grasp. The paradigm overview is a substantial source for enhancing in character discussions/debates.
The node building section matches the mechanical approach of Mage: the Ascension, so it should feel straightforward, intuitive even. How a node relates to the other Nightfolk was a welcome addition, giving the book a bigger scope than just Mage, in particular Werewolf, Changeling and Wraith. The 32 examples are splendid, plus demonstrate how this supplement’s new system works. The nodes are interesting locations to add to any game, covering a wealth of factions, plus the bonus that some have tremendous historical importance. There are so many great ideas here, but I want to avoid spoilers, so I’ll just touch on a few.
One can imagine the countless stories covering millennia over control of The Delphic Oracle! Likewise, the more modern node of The Manhattan Reactor is a great idea, plus adding to the Technocratic Union’s dark history.
Nodes specifically involving other Nightfolk? Well there is the superb, The Blood Fountain of the Tremere, which gives an epic plotline to tie-in Vampire: adding a literal landmark to the Massasa War. The Silent Sept gave me pause as I processed several thoughts and feelings about what this story; if I reveal that it relates to the Croatan Tribe, players in the know will appreciate this node’s gravitas!
If you are a World of Darkness player, in particular if you have a bit of an interest in Mage, I think you will benefit and enjoy this outstanding book. One of the benefits of the Storytellers Vault is the numerous interesting niche topics that can be explored, but this is no niche. For me, this supplement feels like a core book, standing alongside the official products, a must have, especially given its low cost. To purchase use Sources of Magick (using the Mage the Podcast affiliate code; Charles Siegel is a frequent contributor to this great show).
An old work situation, my then boss asking players at a game meeting: “Are saying that want to be able to push a button called ‘Play Game’?!” Several of the players did in fact say “Yes”. A great example of how a room full of players, and in this case customers, want different things, to push things in different directions. The context was to do with whether to simplify some complex mechanics down to a simple process, some wanted it, others preferred to micro-manage things. The following week at work had some lively conversation, but the upshot being goods things were designed.
One of the regular tabletop games I’ve been running has the working title ‘WoD: Sliders’; this is not the TV Series Sliders, but I have used that title because things can slide between realities, they just need a Push. To summarise, characters exist in different realities, the PCs are a connection between the realities, each an axis. I almost choose this game for yesterday’s topic, because the players are investigating a problem that has clues in different realities; player clue file is currently 30 pages. 🙂 In one reality the PC is a Mage, whilst in other realities they are either a: Changeling, Werewolf, Wraith, Mummy, Vampire and finally Hunter. The players have various multi-reality powers, for example they can Push things between realities. Linking back to my opening anecdote, the players choose to have these mechanics hidden from them, to effectively have a button they can push that keeps things simple for them at the start, and they FOIP the powers (Find Out in Play). So far the characters have used a few Push powers, but are not sure exactly what is happening and have become suspicious of them.
Whilst I had wanted to run a game with the players understanding the big picture going in, so their PCs would have control over their multi-reality powers, but the players choose otherwise. I am happy enough that they liked the idea, trusted me to run it, and crucially I didn’t push the system on to them.
Street Fighter RPG
I recently looked through some old SFRPG house rules I made many years ago. One big topic I pushed back then was Fight Camp Preparation. Since then I have learned a lot more about game design, different martial arts and training in general, so some of these old ideas are laughable to me; thankfully a few still hold up IMHO. One of the dodgy ideas was that of a character pushing fitness. The idea actually goes back to old games: Panza Kick Boxing (Amiga) and C64 Barry McGuigan World Championship Boxing, both of which had fight camp mini-games.
Note I’ve not posted the mechanics here, because they were part of a package, which I think needs a solid rework. I wouldn’t want to push ideas that I think are faulty. 😉
#RPGaDay2020 Push: In the fantasy world of #Veitstanz evolution is real; all the sapient life has evolved. Sure, they got pushed by the titans in certain directions, but the trope of fully finished beings put into existence is avoided. #ttrpgpic.twitter.com/k8XX3WHMht
This is a non-exhaustive list; I still have many posts to read today, so I might be adding more links. I’d recommend searching the hashtag and judge those great answers for yourself: #RPGaDay2020, some people use #RPGaDay.
TL;DR: the book covers what the title says and has useful suggestions. If you are a Mage fan this book has ideas for you. If players/STs are struggling then I definitely recommend this book. If you are a Mage expert, maybe this book is just a 3/5 for you, since experts likely have many proven dynamic pitches, plus the ability to quickly adapt and personalise chronicles; but maybe they’d still get something from this book, or enjoy reading more Mage things.
For those wanting more details, here is a deep dive. From my experience, players new to Mage typically fit into one of the following non-exhaustive groups:
A) Those that need help with the scale and implications of the setting. Character creation alone introduces a lot of Factions; does a player need an overview of each?
B) Those that struggle with the concept of what Spheres can do, plus maybe the rest of Mage’s metaphysics: Paradox and its many manifestations, the different realms, and in particular the topic of what counts as Coincidental / Witnesses / Vulgar magick.
C) Those that that struggle with both A & B.
D) Those that struggle with neither.
For people wanting more advice for dealing with Group B, I can appreciate why some might give the book a 3/5. However, from a certain P.o.V., Satyros does provide advice about the Spheres. From Focus over Spheres, ways to reconsider Witnesses and Vulgar Magick, different ways to use Paradox, to highlighting to centre a game on low level characters and stories, as well as mundane but personal character matters. My advice is don’t be quick to dismiss how these threads interact with each other.
Some might think advising people to strip back the scale of Mage, especially given the vast number of books, never mind just looking at the size of Mage 20th, is a simple and maybe even useless answer. I disagree, years ago I used to talk about the rich setting and the fun creativity of the Spheres, some of the players admitted to being intimidated before they began. When I returned to Mage I had an easier time persuading some new players to explore the game by focusing on the personal, not trying to summarise lots of factions, history, or metaplot.
I particularly liked the Arcane Approaches section. Whilst some may view this section as being weak or even obvious, maybe in hindsight it is. Personally, I think it helps make things easier, especially when combined with the rest of the book.
Will players in Group D benefit from this book? The title itself then should be an obvious indication to them about the book’s goal. It seems unlikely that Group D will see this book as a must read; I don’t think it is for them, but if someone enjoys reading Mage books, then I’d recommend this.
Could this book have gone further for those in Group B? Maybe, but I’m not sure more explanations will achieve what some are after. I’ve not experienced long-term problems with people in Group B, since over the course of a chronicle they have learned their characters range and explored different potential; but, I appreciate others may have different experiences. There are other products available on the Storyteller’s Vault that provide a detailed examination of Spheres, Nodes, etc.; for example I’ll be reviewing Sources of Magick next 🙂 I am sure Mage Made Easy will inspire another product focusing on the details that some are after.
I enjoyed the book and I think this book succeeds in its goals, 5* drivethrurpg, 4* on Goodreads. 😀
I’ve finished translating another issue of Punho do Guerreiro, a Brazilian fanzine for Street Fighter RPG (SFRPG). Issue 1 is here, plus an explanation of why I am doing this.
Following on from motor racing in issue 7, this issue includes more rules about driving. Fusing Mage: the Ascension with Street Fighter, this introduces a simple yet interesting way of handling True Magick. This issue adds a new Maneuver: Sense Magic. The tale of Snow and Blood. Ken Master’s Yacht in Kabuki Town. A dangerous Circuit Legend. A clarification about MMA, as well as the difference between a starting character and a fighter that is new to big fight organisations like the UFC.
As normal thanks to Punho do Guerreiro team for the original issue, plus Eric and Odmir also did some extra work for this translation
Continuing with RPG Impact. The fifth RPG that had a big impact on me was Champions / Hero System. In my first Vampire group, one player was obsessed with Champions and arranged to run a game. At that point I hadn’t played any Supes RPGs yet, nor looked at GURPS, so I was delighted to skim through the densely packed Champions rules and contemplate all the possibilities. Character creation was slow but fascinating, different to the simplicity of the games I’d predominately been playing: Cyberpunk & Vampire. I was somewhat reminded of Warhammer’s Realm of Chaos books, the key difference being those powers were random and unbalanced by design.
I made a few characters, then settled on a character inspired by Eldar Harlequin Solitaires. I thoroughly enjoyed the character creation process; I vaguely recall pondering solo RPG ideas, again somewhat inspired by Narrative Wargaming from the Realm of Chaos.
How was the game play? Well, the first session was messy, silly premise, and mostly it was one big team fight. It was fun, even a nice change from the serious sessions I predominately played. Sadly, the game faded away, it was a few years until I returned to the system.
In the mid-90s, I run a short campaign with the group I’d been playing with since high school. It was fun, but the players didn’t quite gel with the system. Roughly they felt that whilst it was fun, it was too much work, and that they could have fun more easily with other games; not helped that 2 players were not keen on Supes genre. We discussed whether they thought things would improve as their system expertise grew. They thought even if they thoroughly read the rules, that they’d still prefer other games. By this stage I had Marvel Super Heroes and D.C. Heroes, plus I had a lot of experience with Palladium games, none of which appealed to them. Instead, we returned to the World of Darkness, primarily Mage and Changeling.
One of regular players loved GURPS, they convinced me to look in to it, using the Hero System as a comparison; awesome, another system I liked yet didn’t do much with for years 😉 Some time passed… I managed a mini-game of Champions using the new Fuzion system; although easier to play, the players gave similar feedback to before. In the 2000s I ran Aberrant a lot, resulting in multiple chronicles, plus some smaller chronicles with other groups, so I eventually got some long-term Supes gameplay 😉
I have met people that played Hero for years. Whilst the system is dense, I’d argue that it is not much denser than various D&D editions. Did I pitch the game in awkward ways? Or was it simply a case of player preferences amidst an option rich field?
For me, Champions/Hero System is ‘the one that got away’.
Batjutsu 