[Houserule] No defense roll if < 3

[JCurwen3]

GURPS prevents characters from attempting things (making skill rolls, etc) if their modified value is less than 3. So, if after TDM is applied, your skill is 2 or lower, you don't even get to try. The one exception to this is with active defenses (and, I believe, resistance rolls).

What would be the impact of eliminating the chance to make an active defense or a resistance roll if the modified value was less than 3, just like with any other rolls? Would this be more realistic, or less so? Any effects on game play?

[DangerousThing]

Originally Posted by JCurwen3

GURPS prevents characters from attempting things (making skill rolls, etc) if their modified value is less than 3. So, if after TDM is applied, your skill is 2 or lower, you don't even get to try. The one exception to this is with active defenses (and, I believe, resistance rolls).

What would be the impact of eliminating the chance to make an active defense or a resistance roll if the modified value was less than 3, just like with any other rolls? Would this be more realistic, or less so? Any effects on game play?

It would mean that attackers with high skill able to do major deceptive attacks or feints would have an easier time (slightly).

On the other hand, there would be one less roll by mooks and therefore combat would go a bit faster.

I'd be willing to use this as a house rule.

[Dinadon]

Originally Posted by DangerousThing

It would mean that attackers with high skill able to do major deceptive attacks or feints would have an easier time (slightly).

On the other hand, there would be one less roll by mooks and therefore combat would go a bit faster.

I'd be willing to use this as a house rule.

Mooks don't need to roll at all if you don't want them too, if all you want is Cannon Fodder.

[Nereidalbel]

It might save a little time if you have that one guy who tries for a 3 or 4 every time, but otherwise, not really a big change. And no, resistance rolls still say that if your modified value is less than 3, you get no roll.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by JCurwen3

What would be the impact of eliminating the chance to make an active defense or a resistance roll if the modified value was less than 3, just like with any other rolls?

It would increase maximum theoretical hit probability from 96.33% to 98.15%. This is unlikely to matter outside of special situations where you absolutely have to take someone out with the first attack, and even then it doesn't matter very much.

[kirbwarrior]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

It might save a little time if you have that one guy who tries for a 3 or 4 every time, but otherwise, not really a big change. And no, resistance rolls still say that if your modified value is less than 3, you get no roll.

I just reread Basic, and it looks like you are right, but the FAQ insinuates the opposite, with the line 'You can not negate the resistance roll altogether.'. I've always played with being able to resist on a 3, but maybe I'm wrong.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by kirbwarrior

I just reread Basic, and it looks like you are right, but the FAQ insinuates the opposite, with the line 'You can not negate the resistance roll altogether.'. I've always played with being able to resist on a 3, but maybe I'm wrong.

The FAQ is saying there's no such thing as Cosmic: No Resistance Roll Allowed. The suggestion of making the resistance roll at -19 works on 99% of targets, but the guy with HT 14 and Resistance: Afflictions (+8 to HT rolls) would still get to roll.

[gilbertocarlos]

It's bad for the attacker, if the enemy with dodge of 1 try to defend, he'll critically fail 50% of the time, meaning half of his attacks will be criticals.

[kirbwarrior]

Originally Posted by gilbertocarlos

It's bad for the attacker, if the enemy with dodge of 1 try to defend, he'll critically fail 50% of the time, meaning half of his attacks will be criticals.

Deceptive Attacks just got a whole lot cooler. With enough skill, you can increase your chance of criticals.

[Otaku]

Originally Posted by kirbwarrior

Deceptive Attacks just got a whole lot cooler. With enough skill, you can increase your chance of criticals.

Wasn't the comment you were responding to referencing RAW? The House Rule discussed in this thread would prevent those with effective Defense rolls of under 1 from attempting a Defense and the high risk of critically failing.