The 'Swift' Trait

[Majestic]

As I was reading over and ruminating on the various Traits yesterday, it occurred to me that Swift is one that probably won't see as much action or usage as many others (and one of my PCs has it).

Even the handy "A Guide to Trait Usage" (a wonderful document made by the folks here) doesn't list very common occurences.

I'm wondering whether you think the following would be too much for an addition to this Trait, whose definition is "You move swiftly, and are quick to take action."

My thought was that a person with Swift would automatically win ties, when their Wits are the same as someone else in the same combat stance.

It seems to me this wouldn't be very game breaking. But on the other hand, I don't necessarily want to open up a Pandora's Box that could result from players wanting a little bit extra out of their Traits.

Thoughts?

[Rocmistro]

I'm not sure I agree with you; I've used Swift several times to affect. Typically I've used it in extended Athletics type tasks, for example, a climb up the Dwimmerhorn that called for 3 tasks i convinced the LM to let me accomplish in 2. Not ruling so much that he used swift for a climbing success, as to interpret it that each of his athletics successes covered more ground (becauase he was faster). (It was the same result, though, regardless of how it was interpreted: I only had to roll twice.)

Remember traits can also be used as interrupts to a LM ruling or declaration.

[Stormcrow]

AUTOMATIC ACTION
"To get to the helpless victims before the orcs do, you need to perform an Athletics task, TN 14."
"My character is Swift, so he succeeds with an automatic action."

UNFORSEEN ACTION
"The orcs run away and disappear into the forest before you can catch up with them."
"My character is Swift; I want an unforseen action."
"All right, that requires an Athletics task at TN 14."

ADVANCEMENT POINT
"That storm could hit at any moment. I want to scout ahead with Explore as quickly as possible to find shelter."
"TN 14."
"Extraordinary success! Because I'm Swift, I was able to find shelter and return fast. I'd like an advancement point for that."

Just some ideas. Any trait can be useful given a little imagination. Using traits is not about getting bonuses to what you're doing; traits are your special narrative shticks.

[Majestic]

Good calls on those. And great examples, too.

[Angelalex242]

Swift is one of my favorite traits.

I tend to use it for a 'swift stealth' combo, representing my elf running through the eaves of Mirkwood at high speeds, pretty much invisibly. I use it in combat too, representing a 'stealthy hit and run' style of fighting, where my sword wielding elf (typically a 'Gondolin Blade' I buy up with Valor points) hits from stealth and disappears again, attacking once every other round.

[zedturtle]

Yeah, I'd say Swift and Hardy (and Clever) are a munchkin's dream traits.

[Glorelendil]

Yeah, I'd say Swift and Hardy (and Clever) are a munchkin's dream traits.

And Keen-eyed. And Elusive.

I'm loving Tall on my woodman. Took it for flavor, but I'm finding all kinds of uses for it.

[Majestic]

Yeah, I'd say Swift and Hardy (and Clever) are a munchkin's dream traits.

And Keen-eyed.

Do any of you ever find yourself saying, "[Insert name of Elf PC here], what do your Elf-eyes see?"

[I love the LotR movies, but detest this line]

[Robin Smallburrow]

The player playing the Mirkwood elf in my campaign chose Keen-eyed & Swift as traits because he wanted a character who 'usually acted before others, especially in Combat' and 'I don't want to be surprised'.

Thus his character usually acts first in Combat, even in Defensive stance - to me Swift is a VERY Powerful trait to have.

Robin S.

[Angelalex242]

Well, when the common skill in question is stealth, you can use it to attack and hide by attacking once every other round.

But I admit to being confused how you win init that way.