Hi (skip to paragraph 3 to get to the point)
I'm interested in using the new relationship cards in a different way to create more interesting investigator choices at the beggining of the game. My usual method of picking investigators is to deal 4 and each player picks one. This helps with variety. I don't have Kingsport, and I have limited myself to a 28 investigator pool - for example no patrice or mandy because they are too much, and no Vincent because he is bad, I don't like his story, and I don't like his stupid face.
Anyway, even dealing four and picking one doesn't help variety much. If you get a bad one (sister mary) oh well, you have 3 to choose from instead of four. I like Dexter, and Mary ect.. but they are bad. For me theme is just as important as mechanics and they need to work together. Heres my Idea.
Instead of dealing out relationship cards, they will be tied to specific investigators. This will create interesting choices when choosing a team. Should you take the best investigators, or two weaker ones that have a relationship bonus? I'll slightly alter the investigator cards (scotch tape?) to add a relationship attribute to that character. There are 3 possible methods
1. Straight pairings. example: on "Skids" O'toole - Skullcrackers: Michael McGlen
2. As an attribute. example: "Skullcracker" printed on each Michael Mcglen, Skids, Mark Harrigan, ect...
3. Attribute system anchored to one character. example: on Agnes Baker, Practitioner of the Art with Diana Stanley and Marie Lambeau underneath as possible connections.
Multiple options for one relationship could be resolved by a players choice or turn order. I'm going to create a web of possible relationships incorporating mostly the weaker characters of the game that will be tied to the theme of each characters back story/character design. For example George Barnaby and Finn Edwards are both weak in combat, require combat for their personal stories, and are hunting for revenge in their back stories. I think the hunters card would do them well.
I like #3 best. A character gets one attribute, with two possible investigators to connect it with. I need a better idea of who the weak characters are. Rankings are subjective.
My list ideas so far:
Zoey - Mystic Knight: Mary, Akachi
Agnes - Practitioner of the Art: Diana, Marie
Finn Edwards - Hunter: George Barnaby, Mark Harrigan
George Barnaby - Keen Analyst: Harvey Walters, Carolyn Fern
Dexter Drake - Student of Arcane: Diana, Amanda
Tommy Muldoon - Courageous Inspiration: Mary, Diana
Monteray Jack - Collector: Harvey, ?
Sister Mary - Take me instead: ?
Amanda Sharpe - Book Club: George Barnaby, ?
I think you get the idea. I hope this wasn't too confusing. You can see how it could be cool to have an interwoven list without any straight double relationship combinations - I'd like to avoid that. I have more ideas about this, but I'll leave it for now and see if anyone else is interested in this. Tell me what you think.