Ordinary vs Extraordinary

O'Borg · June 19, 2007, 10:52:08 AM

Quote from: David ROh, okay cool. If it's that type of archtype personally I would go for John "okay Hans they get your point" Mcclane...I like my action heroes surviving bloody or bloody surviving :hehe:

Regards,
David R

Bang on.
I was just about to reply to Jimbob citing John McClane as an example of an "Ordinary" guy. He's a cop, he's competant, but he's not an all conquering ass-kicking machine. Murtagh (Danny Glovers char) in the Leathal Weapon series is another. Just an ordinary guy, competent at his job.
Riggs otoh, is leaning towards the Extraordinary. He's not just a cop, he's a psycho-suicidal cop, martial artist, crack shot and former CIA Vietnam veteran. Just about any character played by Ah-nuld, Van Damme or Segal is in the extraordianry camp.

Caesar Slaad · June 19, 2007, 10:56:07 AM

Quote from: David ROh, okay cool. If it's that type of archtype personally I would go for John "okay Hans they get your point" Mcclane...I like my action heroes surviving bloody or bloody surviving :hehe:

That works for me, too. (Incidentally, Target had the DieHard trilogy DVDs on special over the weekend and I snagged them)

I have difficulty believing that if a real person was in McClain's shoes, they wouldn't be hamburger. Which is the reason I erred on the side of "extraordinary".

The Yann Waters · June 19, 2007, 12:00:05 PM

Quote from: O'BorgBy "extraordinary" I mean characters who, if they were an NPC, would stand out like a sore thumb amidst their peers.

You know, going by that definition Nobilis PCs wouldn't be "extraordinary"...

Imperator · June 19, 2007, 02:08:32 PM

I like both styles, but having to choose, I tend to prefer ordinary people. Generally speaking, I tend to prefer more gritty games.

Ian Absentia · June 19, 2007, 04:58:29 PM

Depends upon the setting and the situation. I'm afraid I can't answer your poll as it stands.

!i!

Anemone · June 19, 2007, 06:08:07 PM

Same for me. As so often happens, I have to answer that sometimes I feel like a nut, sometimes I don't. :deflated:

flyingmice · June 19, 2007, 06:18:27 PM

I answered "Ordinary" presupposing - perhaps wrongly - that you meant "Very Competent through Non-Comptetent" rather than "Non-Competent only"

-clash

Balbinus · June 19, 2007, 06:47:59 PM

Quote from: jeff37923I love the idea of the ordinary hero in the extraordinary situation. Probably one of the reasons why I like Traveller so much.

What he said, pretty much verbatim.

pspahn · June 19, 2007, 10:18:28 PM

Quote from: flyingmiceI answered "Ordinary" presupposing - perhaps wrongly - that you meant "Very Competent through Non-Comptetent" rather than "Non-Competent only"

-clash

That's the way I took it. I voted ordinary too--I like playing above-average joes that can make a difference. So, give me a James Bond scenario over a Superman one.

Pete

James McMurray · June 20, 2007, 10:26:38 AM

Whichever one fits the game being played that session. I don't want to play Superman in a street level Shadowrun game. Private Jake Nobody is off the table in a cosmic supers game. But if it fits the genre and the game is fun, I'm happy.

NYTFLYR · June 20, 2007, 07:58:11 PM

Both...

Depends on the game. I dont want to play someone Ordinary in Champions and I dont want to play someone Extraordinary in WHFRP

beeber · June 21, 2007, 11:00:09 AM

i guess you couldn't modify a poll after it's been posted? such as by adding another answer choice? :raise: