Deadlands 1876 Arcane Backgrounds Overview The use of Arcane Backgrounds in Deadlands 1876 generally follows the Savage Worlds system, with some modifications intended to better fit my campaign, as well as incorporate older, First-Edition Deadlands materials such as Hucksters & Hexes and Fire & Brimstone. Notes on Terminology. A starting character gains a number of miracles equal to their Faith skill (5). Miracles generally take a single action to invoke, and have no cost. Here are some examples. Roll 5d12 against a target number of 5. If you succeed (99.65% chance) you.
$begingroup$A character that goes Berserk...
cannot use any skills, Edges, or maneuvers that require concentration, including Shooting and Taunt, but not Intimidation
How does this affect the use of Powers?
It seems clear that Spellcasting, Psionics, and the use of Weird Science gadgets requires concentration, and is thus impossible for Berserk characters. Superpowers are usually considered to be innate (Superman does not think of flying or being strong... it is just the way he is), so it seems they should be allowed to Berserk characters. Faith seem to be in the middle: if acts of faith are thought as canalization of divine energy driven by the character, they are like spells (and thus forbidden); if they are gifts from a deity that the character takes for granted, they are like superpowers (and are thus allowed). It may depend on the particular setting.
I have tried to find any official ruling of this, but I have been unsuccessful. I wonder if anyone has thought about this problem before, and what they did for their game.
sergutsergut
$endgroup$3 Answers
$begingroup$An interesting note. Magic, Psionics, and Weird Science all have Smarts-linked arcane skills, while for Miracles the arcane skill is Spirit-linked. Another interesting bit is that the Berserk Edge, in noting example skills which can't be used while berserk, specifies that Intimidation (a Spirit-linked skill) can be used. Those could be used as arguments that Faith could be used in a berserk state. However, the description of the Miracles AB states that powers are usually invoked with a few words of prayer or performing established rituals, which would indicate that it does require concentration. Overall, I'd say it's a GM call based on the nature of the setting and the patron deity.
Sitting DuckSitting Duck
$endgroup$$begingroup$If a Power requires a Skill Roll to active then it can't be used. Normal Powers use the skill attached to the Arcane Background hence they can't when a character is Berserk. Under the standard system I don't think it is possible to have a Power which if it is not on all the time, and does not have an activation roll. So it seam unlikely to me unless it a campaign specific thing.
As for Superman, you have to ask yourself, does he Fly all the time and is just pretending to walk. If so then it is innate. In the movies at least that does not seam so, he makes a action to run and jump up, or he is standing still and floats up. That seams like an activation roll to me. It might cost him almost zero power and he might have an 100% chance of success but he does seam to activate it and in Savage Worlds that needs a roll.
David Allan FinchDavid Allan Finch7,77922 gold badges2626 silver badges8585 bronze badges
$endgroup$$begingroup$![Deadlands blessed miracles Deadlands blessed miracles](http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn315/oldscool_billy/blessedposse.jpg)
Some Weird Science gadgets preclude an activation roll. A 'mystic knife' that is activated whenever someone holds its handle needs no activation roll and is a melee weapon, thus usable while berserk (or whatever raving mad state of consciousness).
Arcane and miraculous items would behave the same way (at least if I was running the game). I can't imagine a power that could be cast while berserk, though.
Super powers are a gray area. Cyclops (X-Men) shoots rays through his eyes all the time, not only when he wants to. It's not something he can control, being cool headed or angry notwithstanding. Superman is super strong and that's how he is. Aquaman breathes underwater (he does, right?). However, Superman activates his laser-heat-ray-from-his-eyes, his 'X-ray' vision and his flight too.
Discuss with your GM/Player during character creation what is and isn't allowed while berserk. Use common sense. YMMV.
Yianes the SneakYianes the Sneak
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