Questions on rules

[Andreas Junzell]

Being completely new on Trails and GUMSHOE-system, I'm not really clear on a few things:

- When performing skill tests, you only roll against a target number? You don't use your skill level in that particular skill in the roll?

- When injured and Health reach 0 you roll to keep your concience. But what target number do you roll at when at 0?

- Spent pool points return when?

[The_Tatterdemalion_King]

Being completely new on Trails and GUMSHOE-system, I'm not really clear on a few things:

- When performing skill tests, you only roll against a target number? You don't use your skill level in that particular skill in the roll?

You spend points from the ability before rolling to add to the result of the roll. The target number is determined by the Keeper. (ToC pg. 57)

- When injured and Health reach 0 you roll to keep your concience. But what target number do you roll at when at 0?

The consciousness roll occurs when you drop below 0. (ToC pg. 63, but can I get a confirm on this interpretation?) Even if hitting 0 would force a consciousness roll, the difficulty is simply based on the absolute value of the Health score, which is 0, plus 1 for being Hurt, which is 1, so you automatically make it anyway.

- Spent pool points return when?

As per pages 80-81, Investigative abilities return at the end of the scenario. General abilities, except Health, Sanity and Stability can refresh during the scenario. Health may be recovered at 2 pts a day if you're above 0 and at different rates if you're wounded (pg. 63). Stability automatically refreshes after adventures unless you're using Sources of Stability, in which case the characters must spend calm, undisturbed quality time with their Sources of Stability to get Stability back. Sanity never returns in Purist games, and may return at a rate of 1-2 points (usually) in Pulp games.

[Andreas Junzell]

Thanks! This confusion probably roots in english not being my first language.

[roguelettuce]

Thanks! This confusion probably roots in english not being my first language.

Incidentally, 'conscience' refers to someone's sense of morality and guilt and so on. 'Consciousness' was the word you were looking for that refers to being awake/aware. Even native English-speakers confuse these words, though, so it would be easy to think they were synonyms, or get confused about which way round the meanings go, etc.

[Andreas Junzell]

I stand corrected. Humbly.

[Andreas Junzell]

Also,

I understand that if you have 5 or more in Firearms, you get to shot with two pistolas simultaneously. But what happens if you spend points in Firearms? Do you still get to go John Woo with the guns?

[Karloff]

Your base rate remains the same, so you should still be able to pull off the trick. Mind you, if you go Purist rather than Pulp you may prefer not to use the double-handed shtick, but that's more a style preference than anything.

[Andreas Junzell]

Thanks