My players have been working on a racing plot for a while now. I’ve generated a node based map that will be the course they’ll navigate with some interesting things along the way. We’ve built them a Mad Max style vehicle and I’ll be using a modified set of rules when engaging with the other racers. And they’ve even made a arch rival of another racing team.

The only part I haven’t figured out is how to run the other racers behind the scenes. I don’t really want to do a full simulation of 20 contending race teams, but I want to be to give my players updates as the race progresses so they can feel the pressure of competition.

I’m not opposed to cheating like Mario Kart and doing a little rubberbanding. But I want something quick to resolve at the table. I’ve also thought about pre-generating the race and then the players would run through it like a scripted event. I’m just worried about how to dynamically adjust if they take out some of the other racers.

Has anyone run a race at their table before?

  • Ziggurat@jlai.luEnglish
    3·
    2 days ago

    Do you have long action mechanic? A classic way for chase is to stack success until you reach a threshold, in that context cheating is a way to use other skills than drive/run to gain success.

    • Maxxus@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      I’m not sure what a long action is, but the players won’t be confined to just race mechanics. They’ll be able to cheat if they want. Or come up with novel uses of resources to leverage advantage.

      • Ziggurat@jlai.luEnglish
        4·
        1 day ago

        Some systems have the possibility to stack up success to meet a long term, the most famous example would be blade in the dark clock, but I believe Vampire has it too, like a players rolls 3 success and 10 are needed to do something so player keep rolling until the line.

        For a race it’s then easy, you need let’s say 15 succeses, the pilot roll drive, the other party member can roll any other relevant action. Let’s say pilot does 3 success, mechanic does 2. While the NPCcrews do 6, 4,4 2.now the party is in second place of the race, and time for a second round…

        • sbv@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          2·
          1 day ago

          That’s a neat idea. I like how it makes the race duration dependent on something variable. I’d want a way for the PCs to influence the success tho.