Post originally by Geoff Skellams at 2003-06-17 17:58:31
Converted from Phorums BB System

<blockquote><hr><i>Brand wrote:</i>
<b>It might have been possible to set up the poses so that they weren’t direct contradictions of each others stated actions. However, trying to pussy-foot around things like that in game is just annoying, so I decided to go with the example given.</b>
<hr></blockquote>

Actually, it seems pretty easy to me to avoid this problem in game, but it relies on the person narrating the event.

Instead of saying what they actually <i>do</i> (past tense), they describe what they are attempting to do (present tense). The description needs to stop at the point where they lose control over the resolution of the action.

So, instead of the player saying "I shoot him (1) by whipping out my dual-pistols (+1), and shooting bullet after bullet into his brain (+1)", the player would say something like "I shoot him (1) by whipping out my dual-pistols (+1), and blasting bullet after bullet at his head (+1)".

This latter description carries the same intent, but leaves room open for the possibility of the failure of the action. If the player succeeds, then the GM can switch to bullet time and give graphic details of the way the bullet's blast through the bad guy's head. If the action fails, then you can describe how he ducks, or deflects the bullets with a handy drinks tray or whatever.

Personally, I think it works (in theory) and nicely sidesteps the entire problem.

cheers
Geoff