I have been pondering the question of power
markings, and I find that they do in a sense truly enforce
pyramidal structure. It is imperative to start with the
most obscure clue and move from there. I find through
playing, though, that the problem with power markings is
that sometimes writers begin with the wrong clue. You
should not start with something you know, start in stead
with something you resarched and found. However, there
is the question of trivia versus knowledge, and I
like Matt Weiner's approach to the pyramidal
structure, which is that someone with a pH.D. in the topic
should power it, ie trivia is frowned upon because in
the scheme of things it makes little difference to
know the trivia, and by the end everone should have
heard of the answer if not know it. It is true, though,
that an obscure answer does lead to a difficulty in
power marks. Its what I like to call, if we are using a
30-20-10 bonus, for example, a 30-30-30. This is the point
of view of a lowly soon to be college freshman, so
take it for what its worth.
Ben