none of that implies that an ability which adds to interaction tests will add to talents that are to some extent similar to interaction tests, and in any event distract is not similar to any interaction tests at all.
I would also add that "in most cases, the rules for the relevant talent or effect supersedes the rules provided here" literally means that no, you *don't* use talents in interaction tests generally speaking. "supersede" means that they replace and have priority over interaction tests, not that they are absorbed into interaction tests.
in the case of bardic voice, just to be clear: that isn't allowing you to add the rank to all interaction tests, only to interaction tests that affect GM character attitude. meaning pretty much only "make an impression" tests are granted the bonus (presuming you both somehow *have* the bardic voice talent and also don't have the superior first impression talent or skill that would replace and have priority over the make an impression interaction test that you have no reason not to be using instead as they are superior in pretty much every way). I suppose an argument could be made that intimidation will sometimes *lower* GM attitude and bardic voice would apply in those cases where it does, although I don't think that matches the intent.
I'm not sure what you mean by the "pod case", but if you're talking about the sample scene where interaction tests are showcased, 1) that's a swordmaster not a troubadour, 2) no talent is being used to improve the first impression talent. the first impression talent is being used instead of a making an impression test, and fully replaces that test.
winning smile and impressive display are excellent talents. they are quite useful for actually getting GM characters to do things, which I would point out there is not an actual talent (or skill) for; conversation, first impression, and similar talents can make the characters more *friendly* to you, and therefore change what kinds of things they might be willing to do on your behalf provided you compensate them in some way as well as the kind of compensation they will require, but it doesn't actually get anyone to do anything on your behalf. to actually influence someone to do something, it's an interaction test, and that's what winning smile and impressive display improves.
this is *particularly* valuable because in many cases social defence does not increase the same way that physical and mystic defence do; a circle 9 warrior may very well have a social defence of 8 or 9, which you would otherwise only be able to roll your base charisma step against. winning smile and impressive display are both ways to get potentially substantial bonuses to your step on that roll, but even a very simple +2 bonus can be quite effective in persuading your targets to act the way you want.
they are very powerful talents, but improving distract is not what makes them good.
my advice, if you want to improve your chance to distract try and pick up taunt. it lowers the target's social defence if you succeed, and also makes that character in general less effective provided you can communicate with the target. another good option is to look at hex, a knack for arcane muttering, which also allows you to debuff the target including giving them a penalty to social defence. both are just generally useful options to have in your toolkit anyways, provided you can in fact add them to your toolkit of course (taunt at least is a skill, so that should be possible).Statistics:Posted by Sharkforce — Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:06 pm
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