Post by jlv61560 on Apr 4, 2014 22:44:53 GMT -5
Okay, I've been looking this rule over again lately, and I'm definitely getting confused (usually a sign that I'm overthinking the topic).
The rule as written in the PDF says: "Opposing players roll dice. The character with the higher total wins, unless his total exceeds his attribute (+skills). On a tie, the higher attribute wins. If both totals go over, both characters fail. The attacker decides his number of dice first."
The rule as written in, for example, The Island of Lost Spells, says: "First, the attacker decides how many dice he will roll. Then the Defender decides. Both roll their dice and the higher total wins -- unless it exceeds the player's Attribute (+Skill). If both go over, both fail. On a tie, the higher attribute wins."
My question with this is what was your intent with "decides his number of dice?" Is the player totally free to pick any number of dice? Or did you intend there to be some sort of limit (either lower or upper)? Let us suppose two characters, each with a strength of 12, are engaged in an opposed check (say, grappling). Why wouldn't I pick two dice, guaranteeing I make my success roll. If you pick three dice, you have a chance of failing. I can see that if I rolled, say a "9" on my two dice, and you rolled a "10" on your three, you would win, but by the same token, the numbers could just as easily be reversed, and if you roll a "13" or higher, you're screwed no matter what, whereas I can't exceed my ST. What does the selection of dice say in terms of the game? I can see picking whether or not to use my skill to aim/attack more cleverly or to increase damage -- that's a clear tactical decision with regard to how best to use my particular skill set, but I'm not sure what the choice in dice for an opposed check is supposed to indicate. Can you explain your thoughts on this one?
Like I said, perhaps I'm reading into this, but it seems more logical to my confused mind to simply say both players must roll three dice versus the attribute and call it done.
The rule as written in the PDF says: "Opposing players roll dice. The character with the higher total wins, unless his total exceeds his attribute (+skills). On a tie, the higher attribute wins. If both totals go over, both characters fail. The attacker decides his number of dice first."
The rule as written in, for example, The Island of Lost Spells, says: "First, the attacker decides how many dice he will roll. Then the Defender decides. Both roll their dice and the higher total wins -- unless it exceeds the player's Attribute (+Skill). If both go over, both fail. On a tie, the higher attribute wins."
My question with this is what was your intent with "decides his number of dice?" Is the player totally free to pick any number of dice? Or did you intend there to be some sort of limit (either lower or upper)? Let us suppose two characters, each with a strength of 12, are engaged in an opposed check (say, grappling). Why wouldn't I pick two dice, guaranteeing I make my success roll. If you pick three dice, you have a chance of failing. I can see that if I rolled, say a "9" on my two dice, and you rolled a "10" on your three, you would win, but by the same token, the numbers could just as easily be reversed, and if you roll a "13" or higher, you're screwed no matter what, whereas I can't exceed my ST. What does the selection of dice say in terms of the game? I can see picking whether or not to use my skill to aim/attack more cleverly or to increase damage -- that's a clear tactical decision with regard to how best to use my particular skill set, but I'm not sure what the choice in dice for an opposed check is supposed to indicate. Can you explain your thoughts on this one?
Like I said, perhaps I'm reading into this, but it seems more logical to my confused mind to simply say both players must roll three dice versus the attribute and call it done.