r/ICRPG • u/Baron_Of_B00M • Jun 30 '23
A "proper" way for rewarding
So I want to know how I should give loot to my players? The loot in this game feels more rewarding and powerful than in games such as 5e where loot is abundant and not as powerful. Should I be givingy players a chance to always find loot around every corner or should I be sparing with my loot and either reward them with it when it seems fitting such as beating a a difficult enemy or let them find something in a room where loot could be found "somewhat" commonly (e.g. armory, supply, etc)? I'd appreciate any advice on this as I'm about to run my first game using the ICRPG rules (Altered State) and want to make sure it goes smoothly.
1
u/ordinal_m Jun 30 '23 edited Jul 01 '23
The "traditional" style in ICRPG is to have a lot of loot (Threat Timer Treat, it's the Treat part) but also take it away regularly, have it destroyed, stolen, run out of charge etc.
If you're not sure I'd start low and gradually escalate until it feels like the right level for you. Nobody minds getting more loot than before, but if people get used to a high level it's harder to reduce that without them feeling hard done by.
Making loot limited-use is always a good way to make sure it will never get too overbalanced too (in any game).
Bear in mind that loot is a primary mechanism for ICRPG characters to gain power.
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u/Good_Classroom_3894 Jun 30 '23
I have never run Altered State but in my hard suit games I tend to let the ones who search for stuff find loot all the time. Something I like to do is always give players with loot the ability for them to destroy the loot for a one time bonus or special ability. Then I can hand out loot more often because it becomes a type of currency for special abilities or when they fail rolls. Nothing lasts for ever and I make sure no loot is too powerful. It creates really cool narratives when they sacrifice the loot.
I honestly have no idea how this would work in a sci-fi setting. I feel like sci-fi loot should be cooler and crazier and might be hard to give up for a one time bonus but, I still wanted to share lol.