Desert Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Alright, so I used to watch The Pretender on tv, and recently bought the third season, so the show is a bit on my mind, and after trying to make a pulp version for the Pulperize It thread, I've been thinking about him in game terms. Has anyone created a game version of him, or a similar type character to play out? I mean, it does seem like an interesting concept to play, and could be lots of fun. Any additional thoughts on the matter? Played the concept, have unique ideas on the concept, let's hear about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sociotard Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Re: The Pretender His disads are fairly easy. A big hunted. A couple of social lims to reflect his lack of understanding of the world. A Psych Lim to help people. Powers? He has a VPP for skills. Every game he'd pick a new proffession and False Identity. He has a long list of skills too, including inventor, deduction, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtelson Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Re: The Pretender The Pretender is tricky. Not so much because of the skills, if the GM allows such the VPP can work, alternately you can ask to be allowed to spend Character Points on the fly or at the beginning of each session, once you know what this week's Pretend is going to be, to simulate having spent time studying. He's tricky because most of what he does are short cons (I guess long cons on crack really) many of which depend on a reveal. The reveal is hard to simulate as it's all about the audience - and we don't really have an audience. In the Pretender Universe i always felt the more interesting stories and the better idea for a campaign revolved around the center. Characters playing a group working for an organization and slowly beginning to realize just how corrupt it is; who can you trust, how can we stop them and not just disappear, etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vondy Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Re: The Pretender Am I the only one who remembers the 4th Edition Dark Champions Pretender... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Major Tom Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Re: The Pretender Am I the only one who remembers the 4th Edition Dark Champions Pretender... What 4th Edition DC Pretender? Speaking of the Pretender, there's a Character Class treatment of the character (or someone with the same ability) on one of the websites for the Rifts RPG that had an interesting method for dealing with how a Pretender uses his or her ability to become anything he/she needs to be at a particular moment. I can't remember the name of the site at this time, but I will post it here as soon as I can find it. Major Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Re: The Pretender I know the story concept would not work well being taken straight out of the series, but a majority of the character could. A lot of it can be put in a game, such as the hunted, sense of justice, and code versus killing. Instead of a vpp, I think it would be the cramming skill, though with the option that at the end of the adventure, he can put some experience points in it to be able to use the skill some later on. Instead of being an individual adventure, he could be used as a spy, going into a place where the others need to, and getting advance information and scouting out. He could also be a "what do you need?" character. Whenever the group needs a certain type of specialist for a mission, they let him know, and he fills it. But seeing as it's more about how to make it, I guess no one has ever actually tried to create or play a Pretender character Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtelson Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Re: The Pretender But seeing as it's more about how to make it' date=' I guess no one has ever actually tried to create or play a Pretender character[/quote'] Sorry 3pts Jack of all Trades 5pts 5 11 or Less Prof Skills (Selected at Creation) 2pts 2 11 or Less Prof Skills (Selected as Needed 'on the fly' w/ GM permission, Set once Selected) 10pts +2 w. Prof Skills Repeat for Science and Knowledge Skills 60 points for those at the start plus the obvious Lockpicking, Security Systems, Electionics, Mechanics, etc seasoned to taste Save an Additional 5-12 points at the start for the Skill(s) you already have or need to learn in a day or so. Never spend your last few Character points unless you desperately need a skill. Get away with a decent pretender for 120 points plus stats - Throw in a few basic Martial Arts Maneuvers, WF and TF and you're good to go This sort of character really needs the consent of the GM and the other players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Re: The Pretender Am I the only one who remembers the 4th Edition Dark Champions Pretender... No Vondy your not, we still use Underworld Enemies in the group I'm with - FrEaK is still remembered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korvar Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Re: The Pretender Add me to the list of people who thought of 4e Underworld Enemies Pretender first Underworld Enemies has to be my favourite "monster" book ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vondy Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Re: The Pretender What 4th Edition DC Pretender? See Underworld Enemies. Shudder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Major Tom Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Re: The Pretender I haven't been able to find the Rifts site that has the writeup for the Pretender Occupational Character Class, but I did find the printout that I had made of it. Here are some parts of the description: NEW SKILL: Pretender skill: The character can remember, observe, learn, or just fake the skill he wishes to fake well enough to fool almost anyone. Basically this is taking the "jack of all trades" just a lot farther. For example (#1): the character is in a vehicle he has never driven before; by looking at the controls, observing other drivers before, or by trial and error, he will be able to drive it as well as most folks who have driven that vehicle all their life. Example (#2): The character walks into a surgery room; by observing and act- ing as a nurse, by the end of the operation he would have the fundamentals of medicine down to assist the doctor. Minded, there are limitations to this skill: he can't actually perform surgery or physical skills. GMs, use common sense. Major Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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