Multiple Check vs. Single Check Compromise

[Deleted]

there are times when it would seem like each character in a party would be able to attempt and pass a check. in particular, i'm thinking about searches and Tracker checks but i don't want to limit this idea to those situations. this idea should be applicable to any check where failure does not have immediate negative consequences. since letting each character have a separate roll and chance to pass the check does, admittedly, greatly remove the chance of failure, i have brainfarted a compromise for these situations...

one roll is made. if any one of the characters would have passed the check with that one roll, then the check is passed.

Example:

If you pass 3/IQ+Tracking, you find a trail of footprints leading to the secret lair of Grendel.

[action]I roll 3d6 and get a 13.
Character1 has IQ11 and no Tracking skill. He failed.
Character2 has IQ11 and Tracking(1) skill. He failed.
Character3 has IQ10 and Tracking(2) skill. He failed.
Character4 has IQ12 and Tracking(1) skill. He passed. Therefore, the party finds the secret lair of Grendel.

[Deleted]

ok. it's late at night. this really was a brainfart. it's really the same thing as 'pick one character' and make the check. instead of looking over my characters and choosing the one with the greatest chance of success before i roll, i'm being kinda lazy, rolling first and then looking over my characters.

...but then there is another situation where Character2 has IQ12 and Tracking(1) while Character3 has IQ11 and Tracking(2) yet Character4 has IQ13. trying to pick one character in this situation stresses me out. my farting brain get stuck in a loop. i'm silly like that rolling first eases my befuddled mind. perhaps this method is so obvious that everyone does it anyway without thinking about it but my brain cells are just now tuning in.

[klingor]

Perhaps award everyone who passed the check a pseudo-XP in that skill. If they gain pseudo-XP = 10 in that skill then they get that skill + 1. If they want to use real XP/Karma/Wishes to add towards the 10 then no worries, let it happen.
Cheers
Colin

[falcon]

How about giving a bonus to the roll for each player that has the same skill in question. So if you need to track someone take the PC with the highest tracking skill level and add the tracking skill levels of other PC's to his roll. For example a PC has a tracking skill of +2 and another player has a tracking skill of +1, so you would add them togethar for your one roll at +3. Maybe call it the Help Roll?

[Deleted]

klingor and falcon,
thanks for your suggestions. however, i just asked my GM and he said that would be cheating