Calls (Advanced Reference)
PC vs NPC Call Effects
The version of the calls document presented beneath is the full document, the Player Reference version of this omits the example NPC effects given in this document. This is because NPCs respond to calls differently to PCs in some circumstances - this is both because this is a cinematic system where different enemies present different scales of threat not represented by heaps of additional hits but how they react to different calls.
It also reflects something we feel is often missed in complex system designs which is the fact that player characters need to be far more aware of resources and so on and, within DuD, represent cinematic heroes of the piece in some fashion. To that end players are a lot tougher than the ‘average’ character in the universe.
We are presenting these here so players can make better judgements about their trait choices with the rough awareness of the impact of different weapons.
NPCs come in three ‘scales’ it is the intent that you will be visually able to tell the difference between each style of foe visually by how impressive their costume is;
Mooks are the unwashed hordes, they’re designed to only really present a danger to players in hordes and for the most part are there to be joyfully slaughtered or protected like the lambs of the God-Emperor they are (and thusly slaughtered by bad people).
Threats are serious opponents, they can give a couple of players a decent fight. They are statted to make players feel threatened, they’re especially useful for low-crew events to give the crew some ability to challenge the player party. They are as resilient, if not more than players.
Nemesis’ are the things that can very easily take out multiple characters - the Astartes, Chaos Spawn and other horrors out there in the dark. Each one is a unique threat with its unique way of dealing with calls.
In the beneath call section the example of a Cultist (a Mook) and an Ork (a Threat) are used to highlight how each of these types behave differently to PCs Lesser Demon (a Threat) is used as an example where the Ork does not serve as a good one).. No Nemesis example is given as each is too unique to make a generic example of them.
WIP