Detect Ambush while in a moving vehicle

[dpenwood]

Am I right in assuming a player can't use his/her Detect Ambush skill while in a moving vehicle? Or at least not without a significant penalty?

Scenario: They're driving in a vehicle and are about to be ambushed. (Imagine that.) Does "Detect Ambush" apply here?

Thanks!

[Killer Cyborg]

Yes, it works in a moving vehicle.
The problem is, it doesn't actually let you detect ambushes.
All it does is let you detect potential ambush sights, like "That ridge would be a good place for a sniper."

[dpenwood]

Yes, it works in a moving vehicle.
The problem is, it doesn't actually let you detect ambushes.
All it does is let you detect potential ambush sights, like "That ridge would be a good place for a sniper."

I'm not sure if I should interpret that as a "yes" or a "no". But I get what you're saying, thanks for the response!

[SpiritInterface]

Yes, it works in a moving vehicle.
The problem is, it doesn't actually let you detect ambushes.
All it does is let you detect potential ambush sights, like "That ridge would be a good place for a sniper."

I'm not sure if I should interpret that as a "yes" or a "no". But I get what you're saying, thanks for the response!

He is saying yes that Detect Ambush works in a moving vehicle. As he said the skill doesn't automatically let you detect the ambushers but alerts you to the fact that a potential ambush is coming up so that you would be more alert and watching out for the attack.

The skill would let your players have a chance of noticing the garbage truck up ahead and the fact that there is no trashcans out on the street. Or the car that is sitting low on its springs but is empty.

The skill lets you use experience, knowledge along with clues either subtle or obvious to identify a possible Ambush.

It would be reasonable to apply modifiers to either the skill roll or the amount of time the player has to react to the threat based on factors like the type of vehicle, the speed of the vehicle, and the nature of the ambush.

[Akashic Soldier]

One of my players was pissed because he'd gotten detect ambush and concealment and had just assumed that gave him licence to run around carelessly and I would tell him when he was in danger so he could get to safety.

He was wrong.

Skills normally require actions to use.

If you want to determine ambush use the prowl/perception rules. That way it gives everyone a fair go. If I remember correctly they go something like this...

Spoiler:

Roll the ambushers prowl, if he is successful roll 1D20 and add +1 for each 10% of the prowl skill they posses (50% chance would be +5), then add any other bonuses they might have to hide (not that I've ever seen one myself). Then when the PC's approach the danger zone (secretly) roll 1D20 for each of them, adding each of their perception bonuses (in the case of Crazies etc) and then say... (if you're really mean) penalize them -2 if the ambushers have concealment/cover or -4 if they have both. (Concealment can be gained through the use of the Wilderness Survival Skill)

If the player's D20 results are higher than the ambusher's roll, then yup, they spotted the ambush. Crazies would likely be unaffected by being inside a moving vehicle because of their O.C.C. write up but I might give the others a further penalty of -2 if they had not mentioned they were on the lookout for trouble.

If the ambusher's roll is higher than they are unable to defend against the ambusher's attacks during the first round of combat. I am pretty sure this would even bypass Crazie/Juicer Autododge but I'd double check the wording if I were you. I can't recall if it just means all the Ambusher's attacks hit or if they cannot defend themselves. Of course the smart thing to do would be to snare and hog tie them and then maybe take all their clothes and gear and drive away in their vehicle. Killing an entire PC party with an ambush is poor form. Besides I've found that as "frustrated" as players act they tend to relish in getting their things back and teaching their attackers a lesson or two in civility.

[Bill]

I like to give folks a passive check on these things, in as much as I assume their characters to be more competent than they are. Half the normal percentage seems fair to me.

[The Dark Elf]

Dont let him see his roll and if he fails tell him that "up head is a road block, some kind of roadworks, looks dangerous, potential ambush factor of 10."

and then let them muck about for half and hour to avoid roadworks.

[SpiritInterface]

One of my players was pissed because he'd gotten detect ambush and concealment and had just assumed that gave him licence to run around carelessly and I would tell him when he was in danger so he could get to safety.

He was wrong.

Skills normally require actions to use.

If you want to determine ambush use the prowl/perception rules. That way it gives everyone a fair go. If I remember correctly they go something like this...

Spoiler:

Roll the ambushers prowl, if he is successful roll 1D20 and add +1 for each 10% of the prowl skill they posses (50% chance would be +5), then add any other bonuses they might have to hide (not that I've ever seen one myself). Then when the PC's approach the danger zone (secretly) roll 1D20 for each of them, adding each of their perception bonuses (in the case of Crazies etc) and then say... (if you're really mean) penalize them -2 if the ambushers have concealment/cover or -4 if they have both. (Concealment can be gained through the use of the Wilderness Survival Skill)

If the player's D20 results are higher than the ambusher's roll, then yup, they spotted the ambush. Crazies would likely be unaffected by being inside a moving vehicle because of their O.C.C. write up but I might give the others a further penalty of -2 if they had not mentioned they were on the lookout for trouble.

If the ambusher's roll is higher than they are unable to defend against the ambusher's attacks during the first round of combat. I am pretty sure this would even bypass Crazie/Juicer Autododge but I'd double check the wording if I were you. I can't recall if it just means all the Ambusher's attacks hit or if they cannot defend themselves. Of course the smart thing to do would be to snare and hog tie them and then maybe take all their clothes and gear and drive away in their vehicle. Killing an entire PC party with an ambush is poor form. Besides I've found that as "frustrated" as players act they tend to relish in getting their things back and teaching their attackers a lesson or two in civility.

Sounds like you need to throw in some false checks to keep them guessing.
After a few false positives where the groups brings their vehicles to a screeching halt and bailing out into a defensive perimeter and waiting for 20-30 minutes with out anything happening they might stop jumping at shadows.

[The Beast]

Am I right in assuming a player can't use his/her Detect Ambush skill while in a moving vehicle? Or at least not without a significant penalty?

Scenario: They're driving in a vehicle and are about to be ambushed. (Imagine that.) Does "Detect Ambush" apply here?

Thanks!

Did you ever see Clear & Present Danger? The ambush scene has several signs right before the ambush that the skill would catch if the characters had made their skill rolls. (Unfortunately the YouTube link I was about to post doesn't show enough of the setup before the ambush, and I don't think there will be a clip showing that.)

Keep in mind that if a character in that scene had made their roll it still might have been too late to avoid the ambush but it may have given them enough time to get some weapons ready.