The Aggressor

I’ve mentioned the “Aggressor” player in a couple of posts. Right now, the Aggressor is the nominal GM of the game, though I find it could turn out to be a GM-less system. The Aggressor basically does traditional GM things, like setting out and playing the opposition and controlling pacing. But given the way I’m envisioning play, the pacing takes care of itself, and anyone could conceivably come up with something to throw at the player who’s turn it is to have his character in a Ground Scene.

Say you’ve heard Cam’s baggage for his character Lt. Shimada, the pilot who is trying to escape the reach of his manipulative father. You have a great idea for a Ground Scene for Shimada – his dad shows up at the base to try and force Shimada to come home. You don’t necessarily need to have your own pilot character in the scene (it’s not your turn anyway, and you’ll get your spotlight next regardless) so YOU take the role of the Aggressor here. Lt. Shimada is the one on deck, and perhaps the other players can have their characters involved as well, but only in supporting roles.

There has to be a payoff for playing the Aggressor in these scenes of course, and the duty would have to rotate around so everyone gets a turn at it.

Then there’s the question of who plays the Aggressor in Mission Scenes where the whole squadron is meant to be up in the air. Still haven’t worked that out.