[Bandiger]

So, I was thinking earlier today. In those games that have merits and flaws, there are a list of flaws that the books say are inappropriate for a one shot, like mayfly syndrome or whatever. So what I'm asking is, could there be the opposite? Flaws that are only appropriate to a one shot character and should not be taken by an ongoing character?
An example might be fever, 2 point flaw. Your character is running a high fever. Though you can still function to some degree, you feel terrible. All dice pools related to dexterity are decreased by one. Additionally, anytime you fail a dexterity based roll, you must make a stamina roll, difficulty 6, or cease all actions as you vomit, sneeze, or otherwise display symptoms of whatever it is that causes your fever. A botch on either roll causes you to fall unconscious.

The main problem I foresee is that one shots rarely stay one shots for more than a night. Often, a one shot will lead to a story to a chronicle. How, then do you deal with the one shot flaw afterwards? I'd say something like limiting the types of things that can be bought with one shot freebies, like only attributes willpower and merits.
Again, for example, you take the fever one shot flaw and use the point from it to gain additional willpower for the duration of your fever. Or the medium merit. You can sense ghosts, but only while the fever you have lasts, or you gain some kind of crazed fulfillment from the effect.
Just a thought. Can anyone think of some other flaws (or possibly merits) that would be good for a oneshot game, but not for a longer story?

[Annael]

Well, an obvious one would be something like "Days to live." For whatever reason--poison, bad heart, advanced diseases--your character doesn't have much time left.

You could do some fun things with existing Flaws in a one shot format that wouldn't work in longer ones. For example, the Dark Fate flaw can be handled in a far more immediate way. Amnesia similarly could be made more gratifying. Maybe something happens to your character at the beginning of the session, and the lost memories are the key to the evening's plot.

And there are some Flaws that normally I wouldn't take because frankly I suspect they'd get really annoying really fast, like Absent-minded (which, come to think of it, would work very well in your Fever idea), but the shorter exposure time of a one shot could render them tolerable and fun.

Let's see. Oh, come to think of it, Poisoned could be an interesting one. The temporary effects of a poisoning (and need to search for an antidote) would be optimal for a one shot.

[Bandiger]

Not sure how many people are really interested in this, but I've just come up with another great one-shot flaw that I think I'll share.
Defective equipment- 1-3 point flaw Either because of disrepair or inherent flaws in the product, your character's gear does not work properly. Perhaps your car will not start again if it stalls or you turn it off. Perhaps that "Swiss army" pocket knife only has cheese grater, onion press, and paring knife attachments (where did you buy that, I want one!) Whatever the case, it functions less efficiently than normal, based on how many points. A minor (1 point) version would be that your car doesn't start up immediately, but takes multiple tries to get going. A two point version might be that the doors of your vehicle do not work, thus making it impossible to make a quick entrance or exit, in addition to the above mentioned. Three points would be all of the above, and your brakes are shot, meaning that you can't leave your car on a hill without props. You must have spent points on the piece of equipment (generally through some background or other) in order to take this flaw.

And yes, I did crib this mostly from the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy." Great old movie.

[Von Bredow]

Advantages for horror movie scenarios aside "The car won't start" sort of thing, I have to say I think thats a bit of an irritating flaw.

The logical thing to do if they develop into a longer campaign is to either force them to expend xp on buying off the flaw or to replace it with one of equal worth. If your players will let you, pick it yourself and don't tell them what it is.

[Cybercat]

Not sure how many people are really interested in this, but I've just come up with another great one-shot flaw that I think I'll share.
Defective equipment- 1-3 point flaw Either because of disrepair or inherent flaws in the product, your character's gear does not work properly. Perhaps your car will not start again if it stalls or you turn it off. Perhaps that "Swiss army" pocket knife only has cheese grater, onion press, and paring knife attachments (where did you buy that, I want one!) Whatever the case, it functions less efficiently than normal, based on how many points. A minor (1 point) version would be that your car doesn't start up immediately, but takes multiple tries to get going. A two point version might be that the doors of your vehicle do not work, thus making it impossible to make a quick entrance or exit, in addition to the above mentioned. Three points would be all of the above, and your brakes are shot, meaning that you can't leave your car on a hill without props. You must have spent points on the piece of equipment (generally through some background or other) in order to take this flaw.

And yes, I did crib this mostly from the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy." Great old movie.

Heh, heh, I remember the jeep Satan. Defective wasn't really the word that thing. Possessed is the word that comes to mind. Cool movie.