The Puzzle Problem Paridigm

[Shostak]

This is an interesting issue. I love playing characters who, if the dice roll favorably, are physically or magically capable of things that would be impossible for me, but I don’t find it fun to resolve mental challenges like puzzles with dice rolls. This is especially true for beginning TFT characters, many of whom may have an IQ of less than 10, making it unlikely that they will succeed on any particular IQ roll. However, having a character not be able to solve problems because the player can’t doesn’t sound too fun, either.

In games with mysteries or puzzles, it seems best to borrow a page from GUMSHOE: the GM simply has to find ways to make certain that the players get the clues--and maybe even the solution--no matter what, preferably while making it seem like the characters are earning/solving them. For instance, if the adventure demands that the PCs be able to solve a murder for the game to progress, the GM has to be able to improvise how they acquire the requisite clues in consideration of their abilities and who could use a little spotlight time. So, while the clues are going to be found no matter what, who finds them and how can still be played out and therefore more fun than “Okay, gimme a roll v IQ to figure it out.”