Trying to figure out what to do with BASIC EFFORT and ULTIMATE EFFORT

Index Card RPG
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My players came from dnd 5e and I had started DMing 5e as well. We’ve been playing for almost two years and have never used basic or ultimate effort. Should I continue with not using them and just allow them to allocate those points to the other three or what can I do to seamlessly intregrate them again. For crits we’re using the double damage from 5e. Thank you

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For points in ultimate, I would just allow players to keep those and add them to their crit rolls. So, if a player has +2 Ultimate, but you are using the double damage rule, then their crit damage is now double damage plus two.

For basic, those points either reflect a character who wants to specialize in being a bare-fisted pugilist, or who wants to use all sorts of makeshift implements. In either case, just allow the player to add that bonus to their bare-fisted attacks or attempts when using nontraditional weapons and tools. For the Jackie Chans or Ip Mans in your game, that would be a fun bonus, when the character beats up an adversary with a small stool or feather duster.

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Some example of how I’ve used BASIC in the past:

  • “The exit is closing, but you need to spend some effort studying the artificer’s diagrams” 1 HEART of BASIC to understand what is being built
  • “A pack of gnolls are hot on your tail and the corridor is blocked by a pile of rubble” 1 HEART to clear the way
  • " Turn the crank to raise the drawbridge before the Orc’s breach the keep" 2 HEARTS of BASIC

Other than crits, ULTIMATE can also be used in items, abilities, effects, or milestones.

  • Blessed Sword: Attacks with this blade deal ULT vs demons
  • Phoenix Blood: Fire spell do DOUBLE ULTIMATE for D4 ROUNDS
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