Hello! Bit of a different entry this week. In our Friday game one of the players tried to get ChatGPT to make a full character with techniques chosen for Ogre Gate. It wrote various descriptions but seemed averse to pinning down exact mechanics. I thought I would try to do the same, except instead of a character I'd have it come up with a kung fu technique. Here's what I ended up with:
Shadow StrikeDiscipline: Qinggong
Skill: Light Melee against Evade
Type: Normal
Qi: 4
To execute Shadow Strike, the user first positions themselves behind their opponent, using footwork and body positioning to remain hidden from their view. Once they are in position, the user strikes out with a quick and precise strike, aiming for vulnerable points on their opponent's body such as the throat or the kidneys.
Make a Light Melee roll against one target’s Evade. Attempts to counter this attack are made at -3d10 by those with less than 6 Wits, -2d10 by those with less than 8 Wits, or -1d10 by those with less than 10 Wits.
Cathartic: Advanced practitioners of Shadow Strike can use the technique to set up more complex attacks, such as feints or traps. For example, the user may strike at their opponent's kidney with a low kick, causing them to double over in pain, before following up with a swift strike to the throat.
Cathartically you may roll damage a second time.
I asked for a "custom kung fu technique for Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate" - no prompting about what it should do, so ChatGPT decided on the technique name and wrote all of the descriptions. Then I asked pointed questions about what Qi Rank it should be, what discipline it should be, what Skill it should use, and what Defense it should target. I had a hard time getting it to say what it should DO in game mechanics terms, as I mentioned ChatGPT preferred giving flavorful descriptions. Eventually I went back through its responses and made the mechanics myself, then asked if they seemed fair, which it said they did. Here's a color-coded breakdown of who did what:
All in all, this was a cool experiment! I don't see this going the direction of the RoboRosewater generator for Magic cards, as I can't imagine how tough it would be to get output that even comes close to making sense in terms of game mechanics. But in terms of flavor ChatGPT has some pretty strong descriptions here.
My next question was how much it would help get through a slump of inspiration. I gave it the prompt "Can you write a custom kung fu technique for Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate using a metal fan as the weapon?" three separate times to see if it would actually go in different directions, and it kinda did.
First, Iron Fan Flutter
is a fast and agile technique that allows the user to use their metal fan to attack their opponent with lightning speed. The technique involves using the fan to create a flurry of sharp, slicing movements that are difficult for the opponent to defend against.
Second, Whirlwind Fan
is a graceful and deadly kung fu technique that utilizes a metal fan as
its weapon. The technique is characterized by its quick, fluid
movements and its ability to create a whirlwind of metal, deflecting and
blocking incoming attacks while simultaneously striking at the
opponent.
At this point I was worried it would only make fast-attacking single-target melee techniques, which it still may have a bias towards, but at last we have a multi-target ranged technique in Whirlwind Fan Strike, which
involves using a metal fan to create a whirlwind of
razor-sharp blades that can strike opponents from a distance. The user
holds the fan with both hands, with the blades facing away from them.
They then spin the fan rapidly, creating a vortex of air that
accelerates the fan's movement and sharpens the blades.
Perhaps this all gets less impressive the longer it's used. I certainly prefer coming up with the details of the technique myself to having to ask "what Qi Rank," "what Skill," etc. and just recording answers, and I'm not sure how long ChatGPT can go before regurgitating the same ideas. And it pales in comparison to finding actual reference for a weapon to make a technique that could only work with, say, a three-section staff as opposed to a gun staff.
Here's the full transcript of the making of Shadow Strike for those interested:
Me: Can you write a custom kung fu technique for Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate?
ChatGPT: Certainly! Here's a custom kung fu technique for Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate:
Technique Name: Shadow Strike
Overview: Shadow Strike is a deceptive and swift technique that allows the user to strike their opponent from unexpected angles, catching them off guard and leaving them vulnerable.
Execution: To execute Shadow Strike, the user first positions themselves behind their opponent, using footwork and body positioning to remain hidden from their view. Once they are in position, the user strikes out with a quick and precise strike, aiming for vulnerable points on their opponent's body such as the throat or the kidneys.
The key to Shadow Strike is speed and surprise; the user must strike quickly and with a fluid motion to prevent their opponent from reacting in time. The strike should be delivered with enough force to cause significant damage, but not so much that the user leaves themselves open to counter-attacks.
Variations: Advanced practitioners of Shadow Strike can use the technique to set up more complex attacks, such as feints or traps. For example, the user may strike at their opponent's kidney with a low kick, causing them to double over in pain, before following up with a swift strike to the throat. Alternatively, the user may use the technique to disorient their opponent by striking multiple times from different angles, preventing them from getting their bearings and mounting an effective defense.
Counter-Defense: The best defense against Shadow Strike is to remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Keep your guard up and try to maintain distance from your opponent, making it difficult for them to get behind you. If you suspect your opponent is trying to use Shadow Strike, try to pivot or spin around to face them, using your peripheral vision to keep track of their movements. If you are caught off guard, try to absorb the blow and use the momentum of the strike to your advantage, using it to move out of harm's way and create an opportunity for counter-attacks.
Me: From 1 to 6, what Qi Rank is this attack?
ChatGPT: Based on the description of the technique, I would estimate that Shadow Strike is a Qi Rank 4 technique. It requires a certain level of speed, precision, and deception to execute effectively, but it does not appear to be an incredibly advanced or complex technique that would require a higher Qi Rank.
Me: From waijia, neigong, qinggong, or dianxue, what martial discipline does it fall under?
ChatGPT: Shadow Strike would fall under the category of Qinggong, which refers to lightness and agility techniques in Chinese martial arts. Qinggong emphasizes the use of footwork, body positioning, and explosive movements to move quickly and efficiently, often allowing the practitioner to evade attacks or position themselves for more effective strikes. The description of Shadow Strike specifically mentions the use of footwork and body positioning to remain hidden from the opponent's view, which are common tactics in Qinggong.
Me: From Arm Strike, Leg Strike, Throw, Grapple, Light Melee, Medium Melee, Heavy Melee, Small Ranged, or Large Ranged, what Skill should Shadow Strike use?
ChatGPT: Shadow Strike would fall under the category of Light Melee, which refers to quick, precise strikes that can be executed with one hand or a small weapon. The description of Shadow Strike specifically mentions a quick and precise strike aimed at vulnerable points on the opponent's body, which is characteristic of Light Melee techniques.
Me: From Hardiness, Parry, Evade, Stealth, Wits, or Resolve, what Defense should Shadow Strike target?
ChatGPT: Shadow Strike is a technique that emphasizes speed and surprise, and is designed to catch the opponent off guard. As such, it would be most effective against opponents who have lower levels of Stealth or Wits, as they would be more likely to be caught off guard by the user's movements and strikes. In terms of defense, Shadow Strike would likely target Evade, as the user is seeking to strike quickly and with precision, making it difficult for the opponent to avoid the attack.
Me: Should Shadow Strike deal any Extra Wounds?
ChatGPT: Since Shadow Strike is a light and precise technique, it is not designed to deal Extra Wounds. Instead, its effectiveness lies in its ability to catch the opponent off guard and strike at vulnerable points with speed and precision. While it may cause significant damage if executed correctly, it is not a technique that relies on brute force or overwhelming power to deal Extra Wounds.
Me: So why would I use Shadow Strike over Fierce Strike?
ChatGPT: Shadow Strike and Fierce Strike are two different techniques with different strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which one to use would depend on the specific situation and the opponent being faced.
Shadow Strike is a technique that emphasizes speed, deception, and precision, and is designed to catch the opponent off guard by striking from unexpected angles. It is best used against opponents who are slower or less aware of their surroundings, as it allows the user to strike quickly and effectively without being detected.
On the other hand, Fierce Strike is a technique that emphasizes power and force, and is designed to deal significant damage to the opponent. It is best used against opponents who are heavily armored or who have a high level of Hardiness, as it allows the user to penetrate their defenses and cause significant injury.
So, if you are facing an opponent who is slow or less aware of their surroundings, Shadow Strike may be the better choice as it allows you to strike quickly and without being detected. However, if you are facing an opponent who is heavily armored or has a high level of Hardiness, Fierce Strike may be the better choice as it allows you to deal significant damage even through their defenses. Ultimately, the choice between these techniques would depend on the specific situation and the opponent being faced.
Me: Thanks!
ChatGPT: You're welcome! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
Me: Is this a fair mechanical implementation of the technique?
Shadow Strike
Discipline: Qinggong
Skill: Light Melee against Evade
Type: Normal
Qi: 4
To execute Shadow Strike, the user first positions themselves behind their opponent, using footwork and body positioning to remain hidden from their view. Once they are in position, the user strikes out with a quick and precise strike, aiming for vulnerable points on their opponent's body such as the throat or the kidneys.
Make a Light Melee roll against one target’s Evade. Attempts to counter this attack are made at -3d10 by those with less than 6 Wits, -2d10 by those with less than 8 Wits, or -1d10 by those with less than 10 Wits.
Cathartic: Advanced practitioners of Shadow Strike can use the technique to set up more complex attacks, such as feints or traps. For example, the user may strike at their opponent's kidney with a low kick, causing them to double over in pain, before following up with a swift strike to the throat.
Cathartically you may roll damage a second time.
ChatGPT: Yes, the mechanical implementation of the technique seems fair and balanced. The Skill and Defense used make sense given the description of the technique, and the Cathartic ability adds an interesting element of versatility to the technique without making it overpowered.
The penalties to counter the attack based on the opponent's Wits also make sense, as it reflects the idea that opponents who are less aware of their surroundings are more likely to be caught off guard by the user's movements and strikes.
Overall, it seems like a well-designed technique that would be effective in combat while still requiring skill and strategy to use effectively.
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