Threat in encounters

By Parathion, in Descent: Journeys in the Dark

Posted at

Antistone said:

Incidentally, Corbon, the huge number of Eskimo words for "snow" is an urban myth. I read a paper once tracing its origins and concluding that it actually started with the claim that they had about four different words for snow (instantly ballooning to an undefined number with seven specific made-up examples the first time it was repeated), and even that original claim was speculative, not based on research. I'm given to understand they've got two roots for snow (one meaning snow on the ground, and one meaning snow in the air or "snowflake") and that attempts to compile every Eskimo word vaguely related to snow turned up several dozen, or a similar number of words to English (that included meta-words like "blizzard" and distantly-related words like "avalanche").

Heh, fair enough.

Posted at

@ Antistone:

7 forum posts in the month to be paid for, $10 per entry per day, 30 days in that month = $210 income this month.

4 heros in play, 1 threat per hero per turn, 5 turns in that round = 20 threat this round.

Now clearer what I meant? I am not describing an average amount, I am describing the individual amount for each month and each round (though it happens that the OL threat income will always be the same throughout several rounds).

But if you say that it simply cannot mean that in precise English language and other native speakers do not object, then I will have to concede that point.

@ Corbon: That´s the kind of examples and discussion I was looking for. It seems that 20 threat per round could break more encounters than I thought.

Thanks to all participants for their contributions.

Posted at

Parathion said:

@ Antistone:

7 forum posts in the month to be paid for, $10 per entry per day, 30 days in that month = $210 income this month.

Perhaps you mean $2100 = $10 * 7 * 30? I don't see any obvious way to manipulate those numbers to give $210.

OK, I can see why you might think that phrase would have that meaning, but as a native speaker, that's definitely not what I get from it. I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what would need to change in order for my mind to accept that structure, but saying "X per Y" implies a certain hierarchical relationship that isn't met here. I believe it's because there's a timespan already implied in saying "$10 per entry" (number of entries depends on the time period under consideration), and so crossing that with a time dimension again just...won't parse.

Posted at

Err, yes, I meant $2100 - late night calculations tend to get faulty...

The phrase (X per Y per Z) would definitely parse if translated "literally" to German, so I guess that´s where most of the confusion comes from.

Posted at

*comes back after refilling his bucket of popcorn*

is the discussion already over??

Posted at

Shmoozer said:

*comes back after refilling his bucket of popcorn*

is the discussion already over??

lengua.gif

For those with a refilled bucket of popcorn, I'll branch out into art theory.

That message actually made me change my mind about Parathion's suggestion, which could be described as an artistic provocation. It had quite the same effect as a Joseph Beuys installation, generating a variety of reactions covering many aspects of human behavior. It provoked shock, repulsion, mockery, aggression, fun, interest. Some tried to understand it despite its apparent irrationality; some tried to prove its wrongness, arguing almost endlessly; some seem to have been watching with a smile (and maybe some popcorn).

And some tried to explain it with pseudo-intellectual jibber. gran_risa.gif

Posted at

Parathion said:

Another interesting debate from the German forum:

How much threat does the OL receive in encounters? The rules say "1 threat per hero per turn". Some people (not me) seriously argue that this would have to be calculated like this: 4 heroes, having 5 turns (incl. OL turn), resulting in a whopping 20 threat per complete round.

There is obviously no rules basis to counter that argument, is there? Could it be that encounters should have such an increased difficulty, making some very hard to win, and Lt. encounters a possible nightmare? This would also give the Guide and Lawlessness upgrades a significant value boost.

Thinking about this, the special from the Sorcerer King came to mind, with the Avatar card saying "one extra threat each turn in a dungeon", which would then have to be similarly interpreted and results in 9 threat per round (4 normal + 5 for the 5 turns).

Comparing it with the result that each hero may play one Feat card each turn, resulting in a maximum of 20 Feats per round, the argument has some ground to stand on.

Discussion welcome (but please no statements like "that´s definitely not how it´s meant to be played" :-))

This has been a fun read but as far as I'm concerned it's crazy talk. From the rule book:

Overlord Player’s Turn
Step 1: Collect Threat and Draw Cards
The overlord player collects one threat token for every
hero, and then draws two cards from the top of the overlord
deck.

So the time in which the OL can collect his/her threat is during the OL's turn. And when that moment arrives; what happens?
"The overlord player collects one threat token for every hero,..."

2 Heros and 1 OL = 2 threat, 4 Heroes and 1 OL = 4 threat

Even from your quote: "1 threat per hero per turn".
Only the OL collects treat so 'per turn' is only refering to the OL. 1 threat per hero per OL turn. Since this rule is for the OL it really would have to state 'per everyone's' turn before it could be taken as you're suggesting. I mean as the German Forum is suggesting. I know you said this is not your oppinion.

I don't know RtL so I can speak to those senario's.

Of course everyone is different and I'm not surprised that there are different views. That's natural. Now that there has been so much dialog has anyone changed their minds (from either side)?

Thanks all! I love reading all of your comments.