[OOC] Project Crossover [Video Game Crossover RP]

[Holy Soldier]

@WestWallI am taking CSes now in preparation for Dec. 11 if you are still interested.

[Dawnrider]

@Mattchstick@Holy Soldier I don't think it will matter all that much, but I'd say the magless pistol would be fine, especially if it functions that way in game.

[Mattchstick]

@Holy SoldierHoly goodness, I don't think I can read all of the IC content even with 11 days. That's a lot of research as well. Is there a more recent post I can start with, rather than starting from the beginning?

@Etherean FireI mean, it can only target one person at a time. In fact, the character as a whole can only focus fire on one target at a time.

[Holy Soldier]

@MattchstickThere's a summary of events on the OP of the OOC. It says "Story Thus Far."

[Mattchstick]

It's not accurate, though. It says that "The group returns to Platform City to rest and recover from tragedy as well as to welcome new additions to the cause," but right now half of the characters are in Dream Land and the other half are just now leaving the station on the Doom Train. I think.
@Holy Soldier

[Holy Soldier]

@MattchstickI update the Story as the missions conclude not during all the drama.

[Holy Soldier]

@MattchstickI will be placing you in the Spyro Mission so you can chill until the Smash Arena situation is over. That's in a whole other thread. And yes, I will let you know.

[Mattchstick]

Hmm. I've been writing Ruben's first post in my head, and it has occurred to me that his most prevalent weakness is that he only knows how to follow orders, and there is no clear chain of command in the crossover world. Subsequently, he can't make independent decisions (or has never needed to) and will be incapable of performing in combat without a CO on the field or in contact (since that's how XCOM works anyway). I'm thinking maybe free will is something that is stripped away when you join XCOM? Or maybe it's just as simple as he's never been trained how to do that? Either way, one of the immediate problems will be him trying to locate a CO and taking direct orders from them.

So what I'm wondering is, could there be a way for either Bradford or the Council to contact him through a screen or something? The XCOM research division is crazy good at future technology, and maybe Vahlen could take a signature from the magic circle and research it to find a way to connect to Arcade. My plan is for Bradford/the Council to explain that Ruben will have to make independent decisions now, rather than constantly give him instructions or anything. I can set the length of time until completion of the connection, since XCOM can research whenever they want, so it can either be handled immediately or after the first mission. I imagine it'll be difficult to work with him if he only follows orders, which would make his first mission more difficult and would probably make his allies dislike him, but I can use that to develop his character. Trying to make people like a character that they initially don't gives plenty of room for growth.

In fact, I think I like the "Needs orders" weakness more than "Authoritative," since authority is the last thing XCOM operatives have. Some Arcade allies would be fine with telling a rookie what to do, but I doubt any of them would accept orders from him, and that would just overly complicate things immediately with, frankly, a bunch of lame arguments with other characters not wanting to be bossed around. Heh, maybe a character could get a little power-thirsty and start taking advantage of him at first?

tldr; 1. Can I find a way for XCOM to contact Ruben, and 2. Can I change Ruben's "Authoritative" weakness to "Needs Instructions?"

@Holy Soldier@Etherean Fire

[Zarkun]

Hmm. I've been writing Ruben's first post in my head, and it has occurred to me that his most prevalent weakness is that he only knows how to follow orders, and there is no clear chain of command in the crossover world. Subsequently, he can't make independent decisions (or has never needed to) and will be incapable of performing in combat without a CO on the field or in contact (since that's how XCOM works anyway). I'm thinking maybe free will is something that is stripped away when you join XCOM? Or maybe it's just as simple as he's never been trained how to do that? Either way, one of the immediate problems will be him trying to locate a CO and taking direct orders from them.

So what I'm wondering is, could there be a way for either Bradford or the Council to contact him through a screen or something? The XCOM research division is crazy good at future technology, and maybe Vahlen could take a signature from the magic circle and research it to find a way to connect to Arcade. My plan is for Bradford/the Council to explain that Ruben will have to make independent decisions now, rather than constantly give him instructions or anything. I can set the length of time until completion of the connection, since XCOM can research whenever they want, so it can either be handled immediately or after the first mission. I imagine it'll be difficult to work with him if he only follows orders, which would make his first mission more difficult and would probably make his allies dislike him, but I can use that to develop his character. Trying to make people like a character that they initially don't gives plenty of room for growth.

In fact, I think I like the "Needs orders" weakness more than "Authoritative," since authority is the last thing XCOM operatives have. Some Arcade allies would be fine with telling a rookie what to do, but I doubt any of them would accept orders from him, and that would just overly complicate things immediately with, frankly, a bunch of lame arguments with other characters not wanting to be bossed around. Heh, maybe a character could get a little power-thirsty and start taking advantage of him at first?

tldr; 1. Can I find a way for XCOM to contact Ruben, and 2. Can I change Ruben's "Authoritative" weakness to "Needs Instructions?"

@Holy Soldier@Etherean Fire

@Mattchstick

I'd like to take a moment to point out that some of the things you list about Ruben aren't entirely true, such as no personality. If you take the time to watch your troops in the barracks, and the bar in Xcom 2, they have plenty of personality. The needs direction is something of a game mechanic, which is moot in this RP because you ARE the character, otherwise you would see all of us with that same weakness. For example, James, one of my characters, would just stand there without input from a control, but he moves, he aims, he thinks, he talks, all without outside influence.

So I guess I'm saying that while your sheet was good, there are some unfair judgements made on the character of the character.

Now, more in line with the question, I'm fine with that, though it's, again, just a game mechanic. We kinda like to see some autonomy without express permission from a, honestly, outside force here.

[Mattchstick]

I'd like to take a moment to point out that some of the things you list about Ruben aren't entirely true, such as no personality. If you take the time to watch your troops in the barracks, and the bar in Xcom 2, they have plenty of personality. The needs direction is something of a game mechanic, which is moot in this RP because you ARE the character, otherwise you would see all of us with that same weakness. For example, James, one of my characters, would just stand there without input from a control, but he moves, he aims, he thinks, he talks, all without outside influence.

So I guess I'm saying that while your sheet was good, there are some unfair judgements made on the character of the character.

Now, more in line with the question, I'm fine with that, though it's, again, just a game mechanic. We kinda like to see some autonomy without express permission from a, honestly, outside force here.

@Zarkun

It has actually been a while since playing XCOM, and I don't recall ever watching the troops (and I don't have XCOM 2). So ya got me there.

The need for direction spawns more from him just straight up being a soldier than a video game character. The idea is not for him to maintain a lack of autonomy. I'm going to RP him as an actual character, just as a character who is used to being given instructions on a battlefield rather than making them, as opposed to an FPS hero/protagonist (i.e. James). In some turn-based games, the turns are being determined by the characters (like Invisible Inc, for example), but in XCOM, you as the player are specifically the Commander. Ruben doesn't decide where to go and what to do on a battlefield. He is given orders on where to go and what to do.

I can give him a handful of personality traits, but ultimately the concept is that a character who is not autonomous (especially in combat) develops autonomy. Maybe even leadership skills. Rather than be an existing hero with an existing story and existing personality/mannerisms/preferences, I'd like to sort of be below that status and build up to that. There are no "heroes" in XCOM. If Squaddie Ruben dies, XCOM can pay some credits and get a brand new Squaddie almost immediately, unlike, you know, the Heavy or Cloud Strife. Personalities in general are irrelevant to the XCOM initiative. That's why this RP is so interesting. He's getting sucked out of the world of XCOM and put into a totally different situation, where he has to make his own choices and isn't expendable.

It's easy to jump in as X hero from X game and build on that. I want to try someone who isn't quite there yet.

[Zarkun]

<Snipped quote by Zarkun>

It has actually been a while since playing XCOM, and I don't recall ever watching the troops (and I don't have XCOM 2). So ya got me there.

The need for direction spawns more from him just straight up being a soldier than a video game character. The idea is not for him to maintain a lack of autonomy. I'm going to RP him as an actual character, just as a character who is used to being given instructions on a battlefield rather than making them, as opposed to an FPS hero/protagonist (i.e. James). In some turn-based games, the turns are being determined by the characters (like Invisible Inc, for example), but in XCOM, you as the player are specifically the Commander. Ruben doesn't decide where to go and what to do on a battlefield. He is given orders on where to go and what to do.

I can give him a handful of personality traits, but ultimately the concept is that a character who is not autonomous (especially in combat) develops autonomy. Maybe even leadership skills. Rather than be an existing hero with an existing story and existing personality/mannerisms/preferences, I'd like to sort of be below that status and build up to that. There are no "heroes" in XCOM. If Squaddie Ruben dies, XCOM can pay some credits and get a brand new Squaddie almost immediately, unlike, you know, the Heavy or Cloud Strife. Personalities in general are irrelevant to the XCOM initiative. That's why this RP is so interesting. He's getting sucked out of the world of XCOM and put into a totally different situation, where he has to make his own choices and isn't expendable.

It's easy to jump in as X hero from X game and build on that. I want to try someone who isn't quite there yet.

@Mattchstick

I guess our interpretation of how characters from Xcom would work are just that different XD I always look at it like even on the battlefield, you're letting them react to things how they would.

[Mattchstick]

I guess our interpretation of how characters from Xcom would work are just that different XD I always look at it like even on the battlefield, you're letting them react to things how they would.

@Zarkun

*Panics, shoots the VIP*

EDIT: CS has been tweaked. The changes are in a lovely shade of blue for easy reference.

[Mattchstick]

What he instead heard sent shivers down his spine. He looked at her with his already large eyes now open wide, his jaw finding trouble keeping itself closed.
@ONL

"I fear no man. But that thing...it scares me."

[ONL]

@Mattchstick Exactly!

As far as the thing goes unnamed. Now that it has a name, Heavy has the Giggles ;)

[DracoLunaris]

last minute char submission ho

Captain Piper

Captain Piper Faraday

Kingdom: Image & Form (Steamworld)

Appearance

Written Description: Piper is a steambot, a sentient robot that runs on coal and water. Has has a mainly copper build with a red chest plate, featuring her power supplying fornace, green pants and brown cowboy boots. Her arms are asymmetrical, with one featuring a three fingered claw and the other a more human 4 fingered hand. She wears an admirals hat on her head that covers her red “hair” and her eyes are solid green lenses.

Personality: Piper is headstrong, independent, fair and tough as nails. She's very friendly and popular among the common people of steamworld despite her profession as a pirate and smuggler. Piper has quite a bit of moral fiber in her, having only taken it up the life of the scoundrel after being branded an outlaw for refused to bomb a town of helpless steambots for the royal army.

Game: SteamWorld Heist

Current Story: After leading her cobbled together crew in first kicking out a necromancer pirate, then overthrowing the Queen and stopping the hive minded votbot threat they accidentally released from the royal vaults, piper, and those of her crew who wanted to stay on with her after their world saving adventure, returned from the depths of space to deal with the fallout of their escapades. Piper and her cowbots have been spending their time doing more legitimate transporting of goods to give aid to the unfortunate as their society recovers from the collapse of the red queen's tyrannical regime. It’s a safer life to be sure but one lacking in the daring adventure, something piper and her crew have come to miss.

Weapon(s):

BlackSmith sniper

Carrion Pistol

Brass Knuckles

Stats:
Level One

(P)Damage 3
(P)Defense 2
(M)(E)Damage 1
(M)(E)Defense 2
Dexterity 2
0%
XP ////////// (0/10)

Squad: NA

General Abilities

Slot One. Ricochet trick shot: Piper is able to predict, using a helpful laser sight and guesswork, the trajectory a shot will ricochet after it strikes a surface. This lets her pull of some impressive feats of marksmanship if the environment is accommodating. Using this she can ping bullets of walls, ceilings and other surfaces to hit targets outside of her direct line of fire.

Special Abilities

Slot One.

Items
Slot One.
Slot Two.
Slot Three.

Strengths:

Markswoman: Piper’s an excellent shot, capable of pulling of feats of gunslinging that could be considered impossible by lesser shots.

Leadership: Piper has lead a rag tag bunch of misfits to save the world before and she can do it again if need be. She serves as an inspiration to her crew and tends to bring out the best in people.

Mechanical body: Being made of metal makes her a bit tougher than the average human and lets her parry attacks with her body rather than having to use a weapon or shield to do so. It also means that she can replace parts of herself with new components if she wants or needs to.

Space Pirate: her time as a rogue has given her plenty of experience in extraterrestrial crime, from how to properly board a target ship, to cracking open vaults and getting the job done before any security systems or armed reponses make a clean getaway impossible.

Weaknesses:

Steam powered: being a steampunk robot rather than a biological lifeform means that piper has to have access to burnable fuel and water in order to keep going, though she’s not as fuel hungry as might be expected. Also, if her internal fire ever runs cold she would die, so water in large amounts is rather dangerous to her, as is a lack of oxygen, both things other robots would not have to worry about.

Metal body: being made of metal has its disadvantages, like magnets and sinking in water. Also any damage has to be manually repaired rather than healing naturally over time as it would if she were flesh and blood.

Achievements

[FinalFrog]

@Holy Soldier

So I had a few questions after having read the story and restrictions set in place.

How exactly do characters generally get to other worlds in this setting to begin with?

What are in character reasonings behind the re-balancing of characters down to level 1, figuratively and literally? Example, Castlevania's Alucard is supposed to be this very powerful vampire character but if he is level 1 his backstory is hard to believe unless there is some excuse. Is that something the virus is doing?

I have a potential character that I may or may not wish to sign up with. Valvatorez, the protagonist of Disgaea 4 and would never consider himself a hero. In short, he is a vampire in charge of Hades that epitomizes the ideals of a Noble Demon. He seeks the natural law and order of the universe, and does so by properly training criminal humans to repent their sins. With that in mind, Demons exist primarily to scare humans away from the darkness. So he would, should he be properly informed, fully support The Balance 110%. Would this be a proper hero in the gray area between villain and hero? As a demon he would find no fault with the use of devious tactics or th slaughter of innocents should it come to his benefit. But as such his allies are natural born heroes and he would stay his demonic tendencies for the greater good.

[Zarkun]

@Holy Soldier

So I had a few questions after having read the story and restrictions set in place.

How exactly do characters generally get to other worlds in this setting to begin with?

What are in character reasonings behind the re-balancing of characters down to level 1, figuratively and literally? Example, Castlevania's Alucard is supposed to be this very powerful vampire character but if he is level 1 his backstory is hard to believe unless there is some excuse. Is that something the virus is doing?

I have a potential character that I may or may not wish to sign up with. Valvatorez, the protagonist of Disgaea 4 and would never consider himself a hero. In short, he is a vampire in charge of Hades that epitomizes the ideals of a Noble Demon. He seeks the natural law and order of the universe, and does so by properly training criminal humans to repent their sins. With that in mind, Demons exist primarily to scare humans away from the darkness. So he would, should he be properly informed, fully support The Balance 110%. Would this be a proper hero in the gray area between villain and hero? As a demon he would find no fault with the use of devious tactics or th slaughter of innocents should it come to his benefit. But as such his allies are natural born heroes and he would stay his demonic tendencies for the greater good.

@FinalFrog

Alucard is a Kingdom ruler so he's at full strength.

[Holy Soldier]

@FinalFrogTo answer your question, the characters were only strong in their respective games. In the crossover verse, which is a separate dimension that Platform City exists in, all the characters start equal. The NPCs, however, are treated stronger than the usual characters because they are supposedly experienced. However, if you decided to play Alucard then that would change for more OOC, game-balance reasons than story reasons.

If your character acts villainous, which I say villains aren't playable, then the heroes will probably make his time in this game short. As you figured, they are still heroes.

[Holy Soldier]

@DracoLunarisI don't see anything wrong with Piper. She is good to go in my book. @Zarkun@Lugubrious Comments?

[Lugubrious]

I don't see anything wrong with Piper. She is good to go in my book. @Lugubrious Comments?

@Holy Soldier

Seems fine to me.