The system has been built around the idea of opposed rolls, but can be adapted to meet what would typically be unopposed checks as well. It's based on three key ideas - Distance, Difference and Degree.
The process is as follows: each party involved would roll a d20, and compare the result to their appropriate Attribute Score. The Distance is the number rolled, subtracted from the Attribute Score. The greater the Distance, the greater the Success, as compared to their own capabilities. The Difference is the lower Distance subtracted from the higher Distance. The greater the Difference, the greater the Success, as compared to the opponent's Success. The Degree is the in-game, non-mechanical measure of that Difference, so a Difference of 1 or 2 results in a minimal Degree of Success, while a Difference of 10 creates an exceptional Degree of Success.
So let's say that Avery, with a Strength of 9, and Grog, with a Strength of 18, are arm wrestling. Grog the man-mountain rolls a 16, while Avery the noodle armed choirboy rolls a 2. Grog's Distance is 2, while Avery's is a 7. Grog's effort is not his best, while Avery puts forth a herculean effort, and manages to defeat his much stronger opponent. The Difference is five, which is an Average Degree of Success - after some hard work, Avery is able to beat Grog at arm wrestling.
If, however, Grog had rolled a 17, while Avery rolled a 1, Grog's Distance would be 1, while Avery's would be 8, so there would be a greater Difference of 7. Perhaps Grog's elbow slipped in a puddle of beer, thus creating a more decisive victory for Avery.
If one party rolls above their attribute, they automatically lose, and the the winner's Distance alone is used to determine the Degree of Success. Without an opponent's Distance to offset their own Distance in determining the Degree, an Exceptional Degree of Success is much more likely.
This time around, Grog rolls a 3, while Avery rolls a 12. Avery fails his roll, and Grog's Distance of 15 is used to determine the Degree of Success. With a Degree of 15, poor Avery doesn't stand a chance. Grog slams Avery's arm to the table with a resounding, "THUNK". Avery thinks his arm might be broken.
A tie means the challenge is at an impasse, and continues on to the next round, with each player taking a +1 penalty to their roll from the strain of continued challenge. This puts a greater burden upon whichever has the lower score, as it should be in sustained challenges.
Grog rolls a 16, while Avery rolls a 7. Both of their Distances are 2, so they roll again, this time with a +1 modifier to their roll. This time Avery rolls an 8, while Grog rolls another 16. Including the modifier, Avery did not roll below his score, and so he loses the challenge.
So let's say that Avery, with a Strength of 9, and Grog, with a Strength of 18, are arm wrestling. Grog the man-mountain rolls a 16, while Avery the noodle armed choirboy rolls a 2. Grog's Distance is 2, while Avery's is a 7. Grog's effort is not his best, while Avery puts forth a herculean effort, and manages to defeat his much stronger opponent. The Difference is five, which is an Average Degree of Success - after some hard work, Avery is able to beat Grog at arm wrestling.
If, however, Grog had rolled a 17, while Avery rolled a 1, Grog's Distance would be 1, while Avery's would be 8, so there would be a greater Difference of 7. Perhaps Grog's elbow slipped in a puddle of beer, thus creating a more decisive victory for Avery.
If one party rolls above their attribute, they automatically lose, and the the winner's Distance alone is used to determine the Degree of Success. Without an opponent's Distance to offset their own Distance in determining the Degree, an Exceptional Degree of Success is much more likely.
This time around, Grog rolls a 3, while Avery rolls a 12. Avery fails his roll, and Grog's Distance of 15 is used to determine the Degree of Success. With a Degree of 15, poor Avery doesn't stand a chance. Grog slams Avery's arm to the table with a resounding, "THUNK". Avery thinks his arm might be broken.
A tie means the challenge is at an impasse, and continues on to the next round, with each player taking a +1 penalty to their roll from the strain of continued challenge. This puts a greater burden upon whichever has the lower score, as it should be in sustained challenges.
Grog rolls a 16, while Avery rolls a 7. Both of their Distances are 2, so they roll again, this time with a +1 modifier to their roll. This time Avery rolls an 8, while Grog rolls another 16. Including the modifier, Avery did not roll below his score, and so he loses the challenge.
For rolls that would not typically be considered to be opposed, the GM sets a Target Number. The Player makes their roll, corresponding to the appropriate Attribute, while the GM makes the opposing roll. The Target Number represents the objective level of challenge of the task, while the die roll factors in the random events that can occur. The easier the task, the lower the Target Number.
While Grog is very strong, no-one has ever accused him of being terribly agile. Faced with a chasm, he decides to leap across, although his Dexterity is only a 10. The GM determines that the chasm is not terribly wide, and assigns it a Target Number of 6. Grog rolls a 7, while the GM rolls a 2. Grog's Distance is 3, while the GM's Distance is 4, resulting in a Difference of 1, in the GM's favor. Perhaps a strong gust of wind catches Grog as he jumps, or he does not gauge the distance correctly, but either way, he does not make it across. A Degree of 1 indicates a Minimal Failure, so perhaps he stumbles as he lands, and loses a turn as he recovers his balance.
I have to look at probabilities and such to develop a table that would standardize the Degrees, for right now I'm winging it a bit, but it seems to me that this could be a workable system.
While Grog is very strong, no-one has ever accused him of being terribly agile. Faced with a chasm, he decides to leap across, although his Dexterity is only a 10. The GM determines that the chasm is not terribly wide, and assigns it a Target Number of 6. Grog rolls a 7, while the GM rolls a 2. Grog's Distance is 3, while the GM's Distance is 4, resulting in a Difference of 1, in the GM's favor. Perhaps a strong gust of wind catches Grog as he jumps, or he does not gauge the distance correctly, but either way, he does not make it across. A Degree of 1 indicates a Minimal Failure, so perhaps he stumbles as he lands, and loses a turn as he recovers his balance.
I have to look at probabilities and such to develop a table that would standardize the Degrees, for right now I'm winging it a bit, but it seems to me that this could be a workable system.
Pendragon uses a system like this but instead of trying to roll low, you try to roll as high as possible without going over your attribute. So the Distance == the die roll. The probabilities are the same but it's one step less math.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I can see how that would work in terms of a Attribute Check, how would it work it terms of an opposed roll? In other words, how does that translate into Difference and Degree?
ReplyDeleteIn your first example, Grog rolls a 16 and Avery rolls a 2. The Distance == die roll so Grog wins with a Difference of 14.
ReplyDeleteI see what you're saying. It makes sense mechanically, but in that scenario, the base is zero, as opposed to the attribute. From a narrative perspective, I'm fond of the idea as being comparative to the roll - the attribute represents the peak of potential, while the roll describes the outcome of the actual effort.
ReplyDeleteI dunno, I'm going to run some folks through a quick scenario using these rolls over the next few weeks, and I may change my mind and do away with principle in the name of practicality - addition is always better than subtraction, and less math is better than more.
I guess what I'm saying is, "You're right, and I know it, but I don't want to give up quite yet." If I can make it work in a "not horrible" sort of way, I'll be okay with it.