5
\$\begingroup\$

The Good Time Management merit (from God-Machine Chronicles Rules Update) lets me reduce the time between rolls in an extended action by half.

Is there any limit on this? Does it apply to contested rolls, such as chase scene? If so, how? What about on rolls like picking a lock where there might be an implied physical limitation to the speed of your actions?

Or am I expected to be sensible, and only apply it to a subset of skills?

\$\endgroup\$
0

1 Answer 1

5
\$\begingroup\$

You're always expected to be sensible. :) But it applies to extended contested rolls, too, so long as they are mundane actions. (It does not apply to non-extended contested rolls, naturally.)

So, yes, it would apply to a car chase. You take advantage of quick shifts in lights and traffic; you roll with the changes better. However, since car chases don't take very long to begin with, the savings in minutes and seconds are minimal. It definitely applies to picking a lock.

To the issue of your follow-up question in the comments:

But does that mean I get twice as many rolls as the other contestant? How does time management affect picking locks or what about 'climbing'?

You don't get more rolls than your opponent, if you have one; it's that half the time is taken between each roll, so the whole affair is completed faster. It's for making the extended action take less time, not getting a speed advantage in the contested part.

\$\endgroup\$
10
  • \$\begingroup\$ But does that mean I get twice as many rolls as the other contestee ? How does time management effect picking locks or what about 'climbing'? Why are 'steely nerves' being equated to 'good time management'? \$\endgroup\$ Apr 2, 2014 at 11:56
  • \$\begingroup\$ I've included your comment in the answer and updated it. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jadasc
    Apr 2, 2014 at 12:03
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Pureferret Why "steely nerves"? It's a reflection of the original merit, which mentioned "training in a corporate environment" to deal with unexpected changes. Since you've clarified that you're using the GMC version, which strips that, I'll remove the reference. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jadasc
    Apr 2, 2014 at 12:29
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @Pureferret That's not how a car or foot chase works; as per page 65 of the nWoD core, both the pursuer and the pursued are striving to reach a number of successes equal to the pursued's Speed total. If the pursued reaches the total without the pursuer exceeding his successes at any point, they escape. There's no tie between successes in the chase and the velocity of the traveller. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jadasc
    Apr 2, 2014 at 18:50
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ Feel free to expand or alter the question in that case; perhaps it will draw better or more comprehensive answers? \$\endgroup\$
    – Jadasc
    Jun 25, 2014 at 10:52

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .