A Sort Of Trollish Question

[Tallor]

I've learned that some things are easy enough to do without a roll at all, such as climbing a ladder, making a clumsy club from a branch, maintaining armor (not repairing though!), and making molotov cocktails.

Would this allow a devious GM to have their IQ 9 zombies making firebombs and keeping their rotten SWAT gear in decent condition? :P

[Kalminos]

If zombies have IQ 9, then by all means I think they should.

Keep in mind IQ 9 is only a slightly dimwitted individual.

No reason they can't keep shooting their guns too. Why are they zombies, exactly?

[NineDaysDead]

Originally Posted by Tallor

I've learned that some things are easy enough to do without a roll at all, such as climbing a ladder, making a clumsy club from a branch, maintaining armor (not repairing though!), and making molotov cocktails.

Would this allow a devious GM to have their IQ 9 zombies making firebombs and keeping their rotten SWAT gear in decent condition? :P

IQ 9 and no other mental disadvantages? Yeah that seems reasonable.

[Ulzgoroth]

While I tend to think that having to guess at what the waived roll would be if circumstances were such that it needed to be rolled after all is unfortunate...

Having IQ 9 and no additional hindrances would not be such a circumstance.

[Wavefunction]

I'm going to assume that's a real-world IQ of 9. :p

'Cause yeah, IQ 10 is normal bloke, IQ 11 is ever-so-slightly-smarter-than-normal bloke, IQ 9 is just a little bit slower than average.

[Tallor]

Originally Posted by NineDaysDead

IQ 9 and no other mental disadvantages? Yeah that seems reasonable.

So not Left 4 Dead zombies, but certainly the smarter Resident Evil zombies!

[Railstar]

Originally Posted by Tallor

I've learned that some things are easy enough to do without a roll at all, such as climbing a ladder, making a clumsy club from a branch, maintaining armor (not repairing though!), and making molotov cocktails.

Would this allow a devious GM to have their IQ 9 zombies making firebombs and keeping their rotten SWAT gear in decent condition? :P

Yes it would - if the zombies have the necessary initiative (no Slave Mentality) or inclination (it is part of their established routine).

Minion zombies with Slave Mentality can still do it, they just need clear conditions how much to do it or when to stop - do you give the zombies supplies or do they gather their own? If they gather their own, then you might find your car is out of fuel because the zombies used the fuel from your car to make molotovs, or that they draw heroes to your lair by gathering wood without considering secrecy.

[starslayer]

Originally Posted by Tallor

I've learned that some things are easy enough to do without a roll at all, such as climbing a ladder, making a clumsy club from a branch, maintaining armor (not repairing though!), and making molotov cocktails.

Would this allow a devious GM to have their IQ 9 zombies making firebombs and keeping their rotten SWAT gear in decent condition? :P

I think I would still insist on a roll for (however, extra time, not a stress situation, and other positive modifiers can quickly get it to a 'why roll' situation)
1. Finding a good stick to use as a weapon
2. Maintaining armour in field conditions
3. Making Molotov cocktails (flamable fluid + wicks + fire ; lots of stuff to screw up - you probably still get a Molotov cocktail, you may just catch fire yourself while using it)

Sigh that said I echo the others, no other disadvantages and iq9 they should be doing almost everything a regular person would do.

Edit : perhaps you should post the zombie build you are using?

[Leynok]

I don't think IQ is the problem here, sure one of these Zombies could maintain their stuff and use it... if they had the initiative to do so. A zombie with 6+ IQ surely has plenty of Disadvantages that mess with their ability to take action or think to do things, otherwise they aren't really Zombies are they?

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Tallor

I've learned that some things are easy enough to do without a roll at all, such as climbing a ladder, making a clumsy club from a branch, maintaining armor (not repairing though!), and making molotov cocktails.

Would this allow a devious GM to have their IQ 9 zombies making firebombs and keeping their rotten SWAT gear in decent condition? :P

"Doesn't require a roll" is not the same thing as "doesn't require a skill".