Otherscape character creation

 Anatomy of tags

Based on their purpose, there are 3 basic types of tag:

B - Broad tags

This category includes both broad tags themselves, and tags whose primary function is to support broad tags and increase their power.

Broad tags are flexible in allowing (or supporting) a whole range of actions, but the downside is that you have to spend an action preparing first by converting them into a more directly useable form first. 

There are two ways to do this. Firstly, if you simply want to enhance the power of an existing tag you can create a status. This has the benefit of converting into power on a 1 to 1 basis, but doesn't add any flexibility.

Secondly you can create an entirely new tag. This gives the flexibility of enabling an entirely new action, but it sacrifices power in order to do so converting on a 2 for 1 basis.

A - action tags

Action tags most important job is granting narrative permission to perform an action. 

S - support tags

In reality these are action tags with overlapping permission meaning that they support each other in performing a single action. If you have 3 tags about attacking, then effectively two of them are acting as support tags.

In practice, careful wording might stretch the actions they can apply to but for the most part support tags are about enhancing the power of a single action rather than adding the flexibility of new actions.

One theme

A theme consists of 3 tags, so it is useful to look at how this basic element can function as a whole. 

There are several different possible configurations;

AAA

The most intuitive thing to attempt for a new player is three tags, each of which adds a separate action. This is not always acheivable in practice, because it is harder to make the title tag an action tag.

It gives you narrative permission for 3 actions. The problem is that each of those actions will only be rolling with 1 power.

Extended across all 4 themes, this ends up as probably more actions than you need none of which are especially powerful, which is why you need tags that support each other (either within a theme or across themes).

This is the only configuration which I see as a "trap" option in otherscape. 

SAA

The next logical step is to use one of those tags to support another. This still gives the flexibility of two actions, but increases one of them to two power which I feel is a big deal.

Some clever thinking, and actions that are not too diverse might allow both actions to be supported, but for the most part you will end up with one at 2 power and the other at 1.

SSA

The next option is to keep the theme tight, allowing all of the tags to support one another. This limits its flexibility, but maximises its power and is definately worth dedicating a theme to for something you will be doing regularly.

BAA

The other option is to try and maximise flexibility at the expense of speed, and include a broad tag.

Given the nature of the title tag, it is a likely candidate for a broad tag making this a common configuration.

This is a fairly flexible set up, giving two actions with a single power but allowing the broad tag to charge either with a bit of extra power by creating a status, given enough set up time. 

BSA

I feel like there is little to gain from this set up. Another trap option. The broad tag is just acting like a supporting tag that takes longer to set up. It should be noted however that by taking multiple set up actions, the broad tag CAN stack a status creating a bigger boost so if the action is not time sensitive and you are willing to take the risk then it might be worth it.

BBA

In order to get the most out of broad tags, you need at least two of them. This allows you to create a tag, and unlocks their incredible flexibility.

You still have a single power action ready for immediate use, however now with set up time you can either boost that action to 3 power by creating a status, or create a tag allowing you to perform any action under the perview of the broad tags. 

This gives incredible flexibility, but shares the same problem as our AAA actions with their limited power. 

Adding another tag

It is clear that trying to combine three tags from a single theme into useful actions has limitations, however it is fairly easy to draw another tag into the mix either from another theme or from your load out giving you an extra tag to work with and opening up some useful options:

SSSA

First, just maximising power, giving your action 4 power. Definately worth considering as a dedicated action for mitigating harm. Probably worth considering for a powerful attack or similar.

SSAA

The second option is to have two actions both supported with 2 power each, making them both that bit more useful.

BBSA

This allows you to have an immediate action for 2 power while either setting up a flexible action with 1 power or charging your action for 4 power. 

BBBA

putting more emphasis on your broad tags gives you more power for your flexible action at the expense of minimising the power of your immediate action.

This setup gives you 3 options:

create a tag (for flexibility) and a status charging it to 2 power.

Charge your action with a status for 4 power.

React immediately for 1 power.

BBBB

The final option is to go all out on broad tags. This means you can't do anything without seeing it up first however it does give you powerful flexibility, allowing you to do anything in the themes perview with 3 power (using 2 power to create a tag and 2 power to charge it with status 2).

Mixing themes

Of course there is nothing to stop you from mixing themes together or drawing power from multiple themes for a single action.

With a full set of 4 themes you have 12 tags to play with. I think it is useful to think of this as 3 sets of 4 tags (meaning a set will draw from more than one theme), with load out tags providing flexible extras as needed.

Generally it is probably wise to devote a set to defence/mitigation of the most likely statuses. That leaves two sets for either immediate actions or broad actions.