I searched the forums but had no luck locating an answer. I've learned though that Ascension is very broken and unbalanced but I figured it would be fun to try it out for a while.

We were going over the whole influence thing to requisition items and equipment and we ran into a few dilemmas. Since I havn't yet played ascencion I have no idea what these answers are so I'm hoping that someone can help me out here.

Questions:

" whats to stop the whole party from making tests to try and get a rosarious?" since reading the rules on these things they are pretty absurd. if I understand this right it would go (Player is hit: does rosarious absorb damage;No rolled 84 player; rolls to dodge, dodge is successful player takes no damage.) Is that right?

Does the whole party get a chance to procure an item or is it 1 attempt per item per mission?

Thanks

Knowing when to limit those tests is key.

If they're at a location where they don't have anyone to ask for a Rosarious, then too bad. Thats in the rules too, so don't feel bad as a GM if you think you're just arbitrarily saying "No" to them.

Also, a basic use of influence is indeed only for a "I'm borrowing this" sort of deal. Its not a permanent acquisition unless the party jumps through more hoops. The actual test for a rosarious should be slightly difficult to even make for a freshly minted inquisitor and their throne agents.

As far as how good a rosarious is, yes, you're right about that. The thing is, things should be scaling to "if it hits you you're dead" point. Sadly, like most other RPGs, combat does start to break down at high levels.

Thus why the game really should shift to more of a political thing, rather than a kick down the door and kill monsters thing. Theres a reason almost all the agent archetypes have peer/influence skills everywhere.

Tisis said:

In contrary to your opinion, I feel that Ascension is not broken, just slighted flawed. Every character just tends to scale up dramatically, unlee your players don't know how to improve their character. You just have find the appropriate response, and that gets tricky. As such, I often run a lot of heretic type undercover missions…which forces the characters to 'dress down' or spook the people that they're investigating. Save the melta-guns and power armour for the space marines.

As for Influence, I allow the Inquisitors in charge of each team (translate to each play group I have, currently at two) to make that determination. If the playgroup doesn't have an Inquisitor with the rank, then the decision rests with their Interrogator. Then if Influence burns off, the players have no one to blame but themselves.

If no one on the team is playing one of the two leader types mentioned, then you're well within your rights to limit such decisions however you see fit.