attribute modifier vs/or xd6 rolls

[sekalo]

Originally Posted by hcobb

The reason being that everybody is expected to contribute something to combat while preserving RP space for specialists outside of combat to prevent min-max-monsters from dominating all situations for their bystanders.

I am still not getting or understanding and in no way trying to be difficult. What is a good judgement call at the table as to when to use '-x' on dice rolls or 4/DX.

As a standard practice - do I use '-x' during combat, but use something like '#/DX' with skills outside of combat?

[hcobb]

As one example consider Locksmith which by ITL 70 (not ITL 40!) doubles the number of dice to pick locks for (well non-wizards) who lack this talent. This means that a 4/DX lock is difficult for your party's thief (not rogue, this ain't D&D) but almost impossible for a non specialist. Any lock more difficult than that is a simple 3/DX roll for your wizard (who may need a scroll or book if she neglected to select the Lock/Knock spell. Shame on her!)

On the other tentacle the only thing in combat that modifies the number of dice on a to-hit roll is if either the target is taking a defensive action or if the attacker lacks the weapon talent.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by sekalo

I am still not getting or understanding and in no way trying to be difficult. What is a good judgement call at the table as to when to use '-x' on dice rolls or 4/DX.

As a standard practice - do I use '-x' during combat, but use something like '#/DX' with skills outside of combat?

The recommendation is that when untalented attempts are made, they are done so with at least 1 extra die.

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by sekalo

I am still not getting or understanding and in no way trying to be difficult. What is a good judgement call at the table as to when to use '-x' on dice rolls or 4/DX.

As a standard practice - do I use '-x' during combat, but use something like '#/DX' with skills outside of combat?

Here's how I do it...

Step 1: GM defines the inherent difficulty of the task or action.
2d6 = Easy
3d6 = Average
4d6 = Hard
5d6 = Very Hard
...and so on up to the 'nigh impossible' 8d6.

Step 2: Reduce degree of difficulty based on known talents (typically one or two dice).

Step 3: Apply attribute modifiers from non-inherent, external factors.

For example, the PC with 15 DX is attempting to free-climb a mostly sheer cliff face. The GM rules this is 'extremely hard' (6d6), but the figure has the CLIMBING talent which reduces the action to 5d6 vs DX. Unfortunately, it is also a windy day which the GM decides has a DX penalty of -3 which gives them adjDX 12. The PC has probably bitten off more than they can chew because the odds of success are less than 10%.

[sekalo]

Originally Posted by TippetsTX

Here's how I do it...

Step 1: GM defines the inherent difficulty of the task or action.
2d6 = Easy
3d6 = Average
4d6 = Hard
5d6 = Very Hard
...and so on up to the 'nigh impossible' 8d6.

Step 2: Reduce degree of difficulty based on known talents (typically one or two dice).

Step 3: Apply attribute modifiers from non-inherent, external factors.

For example, the PC with 15 DX is attempting to free-climb a mostly sheer cliff face. The GM rules this is 'extremely hard' (6d6), but the figure has the CLIMBING talent which reduces the action to 5d6 vs DX. Unfortunately, it is also a windy day which the GM decides has a DX penalty of -3 which gives them adjDX 12. The PC has probably bitten off more than they can chew because the odds of success are less than 10%.

Hi TippetsTX. I think between you and Shostak answered my next question of when or example when I use #/DX vs '-x' penalty on dice.

So, there might be a case at the table when everyone gets the -x penalty,and some folks also receive a 4/DX dice penalty due to their skills/talents?

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by sekalo

So, there might be a case at the table when everyone gets the -x penalty, and some folks also receive a 4/DX dice penalty due to their skills/talents?

It's possible, yes.

My preference, however, (as illustrated above) is to set the inherent difficulty first. This is the reverse of what some of the talent descriptions actually say. The CLIMBING talent says "A non-Climber always has to roll in a challenging Situation, and if a Climber would have to roll, the non-Climber’s attempts should be penalized by rolling at least one extra die.", but that is backwards IMO. The difficulty is the difficulty and having a talent should always function as a reduction to that.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by sekalo

So, there might be a case at the table when everyone gets the -x penalty,and some folks also receive a 4/DX dice penalty due to their skills/talents?

Yes. Let's say everyone is standing in knee-deep water. That will impose a DX penalty to all, giving them each a lower adjusted DX (adjDX). If they are fighting in the water, and someone is fighting with a weapon for which they don't have the correct talent, they will roll 4d/adjDX. Similarly, someone without Locksmith attempting to pick a lock in darkness suffers the darkness penalty AND rolls twice the dice of a character with Locksmith picking the same lock.

[sekalo]

I purchased In The Labyrinth and started reading the content. I think with your examples is starting to make sense; however, I am going slow.

I also looked at a GURPS 4th edition; however, it seems The Fantasy Trip is the level of detail I want. Seems like so much has to be striped out of GURPS to get it light and effective as TFT and in the end... why not just use TFT since I like making tabletop judgement calls oppose to needing a rule.

[Shostak]

Don't be shy if you have other TFT questions!

[sekalo]

The more I read TFT vs GURPS, I am leaning towards TFT. GURPS has a lot of great ideas and concepts; however, seems to be all about dice rules. The same can be said about TFT; however, it just feels lighter to me.