From: paul@phyast.pitt.edu
Date: Thu 17 Jun 1993 - 22:11:19 EEST
Paul here, replying to Myles:
>Is it really too difficult to use the greatest margin of success as measured
>by the rolls to determine the upper hand in such a situation? Whoever rolls
>the greatest amount lower than their skill, succeeds. Specials beat normal
>rolls, Critical beat Specials and that's it.
Highest number within a category gives the same probability distribution
and involves one less computation. It's simpler, therefore in my opinion
better. It's also easier to say, "Can anyone beat a Special 10"? than
"I've rolled a 6, my special chance is 19. Margin of success = 13, can
anyone beat this?" With the PENDRAGON type system I advocate it's much
more transparent who wins, you just compare the dice roll within catgories.
Probably a billion people have seen "The Price is Right" and can understand
the concept of highest number without going over wins.
Also, I've often seen people making mistakes doing two digit subtractions
like (Skill 73 - Rolled 26) = (Margin of Victory 57). They can make a carry
error, for example. I've never seen someone make a comparison mistake like
(Rolled 14 is bigger than Rolled 16) and don't expect to. The comparison
system has a lower probability of error.
In any case the comparison is slightly faster and will speed up the flow
of the game by a second or two. A second here, a second there, it adds up.
Every second I'm subtracting I'm not roleplaying, unless I'm playing an
Etyries accountant.
I used to belong to the Autofailure school but now belong to the
On a serious note, people with 200% skills should be able to win against
Straight Skill Modifier school. Luckily I'm an Illuminate so the
Autofailure Spirit of Reprisal can't get me.
ordinary mortals in their sleep. Their spinal reflexes should be programmed
for their skills, practically. Also, higher skill people learn to be more
efficient in their tasks and take longer to reach the point of being too
tired to do anything, the straight skill modifier reflects this.
I really think that Harrek and Jar-Eel should not get taken down by
autofailed parries until they are tired beyond mortal ken.
How many characters have 150% skill? They've worked hard for decades,
should have learned to cope with fatigue.
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