What to do with intermediate levels of Characteristics

[BobGreenwade]

The six Characteristics in 6E that have Rolls (STR, DEX, CON, INT, EGO, and PRE) currently get +1 to the Roll for every +5 points. I've been contemplating what can be done for values ending in numbers other than the breakpoints (3 and 8). Of course, STR has its damage points, PRE its values for PRE Attacks, EGO when applied to Mental Entangles, and so forth, but here's one other thing to consider.

 

Suppose each extra pip of a Characteristic over the breakpoint gives some small improved chance to succeed in borderline situations. Using the Odds on 3d6 Table on 6E2 280, we could say that:

 

+1 pip (4 or 9) gives a +1 on 7- (16.2%)

+2 pips (5 or 0) gives a +1 on 9- (37.5%)

+3 pips (6 or 1) gives a +1 on 11- (62.5%)

+4 pips (7 or 2) gives a +1 on 13- (83.8%)

 

This is about as close to increments of 20% as one is likely to get on 3d6.

 

The bonus can be used not only for basic success, but also for determining how much a Skill Roll is made by (such as when trying to determine the result of an Analyze Skill Roll).

 

Any opinions?

[Hugh Neilson]

Re: What to do with intermediate levels of Characteristics

 

Rather than add another 3d6 roll, how about just rolling 1d6 and getting +1 if the result is:

 

+1 pip (4 or 9) a 1 (16.67%)

+2 pips (5 or 0) a 1 or 2 (33.33%)

+3 pips (6 or 1) a 1 - 3 (50%)

+4 pips (7 or 2) a 1 - 4 (66.67%)

 

The breakpoint is a bit better, but that's the case for most stats, isn't it?

[BobGreenwade]

Re: What to do with intermediate levels of Characteristics

 

Adding another 3d6 roll is a downside, to be sure, though then again it's only rolled when specifically needed....

[Steve]

Re: What to do with intermediate levels of Characteristics

 

For a radical idea, how about adding an extra 1d6 for each two points over the breakpoint a characteristic has, then taking the best 3d6 from the batch?

 

For example, a 15 DEX would allow 4d6 to be rolled, then the best 3d6 are chosen to see if the roll succeeds. If a character has a 17 DEX, they would use 5d6 then choose best 3d6.

[torchwolf]

Re: What to do with intermediate levels of Characteristics

 

Rather than add another 3d6 roll, how about just rolling 1d6 and getting +1 if the result is:

 

+1 pip (4 or 9) a 1 (16.67%)

+2 pips (5 or 0) a 1 or 2 (33.33%)

+3 pips (6 or 1) a 1 - 3 (50%)

+4 pips (7 or 2) a 1 - 4 (66.67%)

 

The breakpoint is a bit better, but that's the case for most stats, isn't it?

To put the same idea in other words:

 

You could roll an extra, differently-colored d6 with the normal 3d6 roll, and if the extra d6 come up with a number in the above range, 1 is subtracted from the 3d6 roll?

[Sean Waters]

Re: What to do with intermediate levels of Characteristics

 

For a radical idea, how about adding an extra 1d6 for each two points over the breakpoint a characteristic has, then taking the best 3d6 from the batch?

 

For example, a 15 DEX would allow 4d6 to be rolled, then the best 3d6 are chosen to see if the roll succeeds. If a character has a 17 DEX, they would use 5d6 then choose best 3d6.

 

 

I have not worked it out but my feeling is that you would probably do better with a 17 DEX than a 18 if we did it that way: you'd need a better roll, but it would be best 3 of 5 dice.

[Sean Waters]

Re: What to do with intermediate levels of Characteristics

 

If you are going to do something like this, I'd change the rounding rules, so that the roll always rounds down: it makes the breakpoints actually occur on the 0 or 5 rather than the 3 or 8, which is, I'd suggest, more intuitive. Whilst this means less overall success, the 'extra point' system would make up for that to an extent.

 

Other ideas include treating each point over base as a 1 charge per session level - so you get to chose when to use it - or a one charge per session reroll.

 

Rather than rolling additional dice, perhaps you could have one of the 3d6 dice a different colour and, if it comes up 'excess or less' you get -1 on the roll.