Confusion on how to determine how many NPC's resolving PEF

[seaspecter]

Hello, I'm reading through my Urban Renewal rule book and find this part confusing. On page 79 There is a section to determine how many NPC's you meet resolving a PEF using the size of the player group and die rolls. That makes sense to me, but when going down the PEF resolution result chart we are also directed to page 13, Circles, to determine the NPC's profession. On this page however, there is a set of rules for determining whether an NPC is alone or if there are more with them, and what circle to roll for them if there are.

Are we supposed to use these rules together at the same time?

I feel like I've got this wrong because it seems strange to me to possibly roll for more NPC's after already rolling how many are encountered.


In addition, does anyone have a good system for preloading NPC's and adding them into the game later? I've been thinking I should just roll up a bunch of stats for LWC's, Gangers, etc...  on index cards and then just add the profession and name later when needed by drawing a card from the proper stack.

[stryderg]

Pre loading PEF's, exactly as you describe works pretty well. Also lets you resolve PEFs with the minis you know that you have.
Filling in a small stack of index cards is one way. If you are handy with Excel you could probably use it to fill in the cells as you need. hmmm, sounds like a project for my to-do list.

[Ed the Two Hour Wargames Guy]

Jul 16, 2019 0:24:31 GMT seaspecter said:

Here goes.

Hello, I'm reading through my Urban Renewal rule book and find this part confusing. On page 79 There is a section to determine how many NPC's you meet resolving a PEF using the size of the player group and die rolls. Correct, use this one.
That makes sense to me, but when going down the PEF resolution result chart we are also directed to page 13, Circles, to determine the NPC's profession. On this page however, there is a set of rules for determining whether an NPC is alone or if there are more with them, and what circle to roll for them if there are. This is an option, carry over from New Beginnings, but use the other one, easier.

Are we supposed to use these rules together at the same time?  No.

I feel like I've got this wrong because it seems strange to me to possibly roll for more NPC's after already rolling how many are encountered.
You are right, use one or the other. I'd use the page 79, newer and quicker.

Now for a newer way used in current rules, and even easier.
Start with group.
Roll 1/2d6 and added to group to get a new number.
Roll 1/2d6 and subtract from new number.
That's how many you met, never less than one.
Just to give a little history.
New beginnings was 2011.
Urban renewal 2015
This new way is 2019 - Been adapting rules to fit the gamers who want less work but simnilar results. Sorry for the confusion,
Ed


In addition, does anyone have a good system for preloading NPC's and adding them into the game later? I've been thinking I should just roll up a bunch of stats for LWC's, Gangers, etc...  on index cards and then just add the profession and name later when needed by drawing a card from the proper stack.

As for pre-loading I roll; them up when watching TV and getting a commercial. Pre-loading is good.

[seaspecter]

Alrighty thank you!

[djk]

Help please!!

Downloaded the free Chain Reaction 2018 Rules. I can't make sense of the PEF rules. Under "How many PEFs" on page 9, the rules state that in Defend and Raid Encounters you use 1/2d6 PEFs. If I end up with multiple PEFs do I then individually determine how many NPCs are in each PEF?

Also, in the PEF Resolution chart, each of the the three results ends with "Remove the PEF." It would seem that you continue to remove PEFs until there are none left to fight. What am I misinterpreting?

[squidlord]

Dec 10, 2019 5:55:42 GMT djk said:

If I end up with multiple PEFs do I then individually determine how many NPCs are in each PEF?

Yes, that's correct. Each PEF represents a potential encounter with a group of NPCs.

Each Encounter (go to the battle board) you resolve one PEF by figuring out how many enemies there are (if any). In CR2018, the number of PEFs effectively determine how many battle board fights you have during that Encounter. It might be that there's no fight to be had that go if the PEF Resolution turns up with 0 passed. Once you discover there's enemies there, figure out who they are, how many, etc.

Also, in the PEF Resolution chart, each of the the three results ends with "Remove the PEF." It would seem that you continue to remove PEFs until there are none left to fight. What am I misinterpreting?

No, that's correct. In CR2018, PEFs effectively act like a countdown to the end of the Encounter.

For example, in a Raid Encounter, you roll 1/2d6 PEFs. That could be 1 - 3. Each of those represent one call to the battle board to check for something there. It might be you do a PEF Resolution, pass 0, and nothing's there. That battle board is empty and the PEF dissolves. It might be you pass 1 and find signs that there's a serious force in the area. From then on you roll 3d6 for PEF Resolution, increasing the chances you pass 2. And if you pass 2, there's definitely enemies to fight and you proceed to figuring out who, how many, and what they've got.

[Mike T]

Since I have a pile of dice about, I've started using 2 Fate dice and adjusting as the total indicates. I still get a range of -2 to +2 since Fate dice are essentially d3.

[squidlord]

Dec 10, 2019 20:42:36 GMT Mike T said:

Since I have a pile of dice about, I've started using 2 Fate dice and adjusting as the total indicates. I still get a range of -2 to +2 since Fate dice are essentially d3.

Fate dice are a good option for that, though the curve might be slightly different (I haven't run the numbers yet, though).

[djk]

Dec 10, 2019 13:53:48 GMT squidlord said:

Dec 10, 2019 5:55:42 GMT djk said:

If I end up with multiple PEFs do I then individually determine how many NPCs are in each PEF?

Yes, that's correct. Each PEF represents a potential encounter with a group of NPCs.

Each Encounter (go to the battle board) you resolve one PEF by figuring out how many enemies there are (if any). In CR2018, the number of PEFs effectively determine how many battle board fights you have during that Encounter. It might be that there's no fight to be had that go if the PEF Resolution turns up with 0 passed. Once you discover there's enemies there, figure out who they are, how many, etc.

Also, in the PEF Resolution chart, each of the the three results ends with "Remove the PEF." It would seem that you continue to remove PEFs until there are none left to fight. What am I misinterpreting?

No, that's correct. In CR2018, PEFs effectively act like a countdown to the end of the Encounter.

For example, in a Raid Encounter, you roll 1/2d6 PEFs. That could be 1 - 3. Each of those represent one call to the battle board to check for something there. It might be you do a PEF Resolution, pass 0, and nothing's there. That battle board is empty and the PEF dissolves. It might be you pass 1 and find signs that there's a serious force in the area. From then on you roll 3d6 for PEF Resolution, increasing the chances you pass 2. And if you pass 2, there's definitely enemies to fight and you proceed to figuring out who, how many, and what they've got.

[djk]

OK. That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification!