Thursday 13 October 2016

D20 vs Stats for Saves and Non Weapon Proficiencies


I have used the OA and dungeoneers survival guide type proficiency system for a long time and Im pretty committed to it. I also like using stat based saving throws and skill rolls with a d20.

Some of the big flaws of the system include petty stat mods that don't make much difference and fairly high success odds for situations and not many guidelines on varying this. I like stat based saves and skill checks as it makes stats more of a core mechanic. One problem is that stats can be too high or make odds less risky than old saving throws. Players mostly save and spells less effective.

So this table based on normal stat odds, tough 2/3 stat odds and terrible odds with 1/3 the stat will be my go to method.

Considering that higher level caster vs lower HD defender could drop a degree of difficulty to resist to tough odds. Likewise a monster with less HD than defender level with venom or dragon breath would get a typical save. This will give a new dynamic.

Terrible odds I would save for rare possibly stupid or impossible snuff stuff. Like resisting greater beings ability or spell while cursed or tired or diseased or heavily encumbered.

Easy tasks cant fail and don't need a roll

D20 Stat Roll Difficulty and Bonus Table
Typical Stat Feat Odds
Tough Stat Feat Odds
Terrible Stat Feat Odds
1/1
2/3
1/3
3
2
1
4
3
1
5
4
2
6
4
2
7
4
2
8
5
3
9
6
3
10
7
3
11
7
4
12
8
4
13
9
4
14
9
5
15
10
5
16
11
5
17
11
6
18
12
6
19
13
6
20
13
7
21
14
7
22
15
7
23
15
8
24
16
8
25
17
8
26
17
9
27
18
9
28
18
9
29
19
10
30
20
10


Easy Feats
Have plenty of time and resources
No stress and perfect conditions
Make easy product of craft skill
Build something with assistants
Spot someone walking towards you from front

Typical Feats
Resisting effect of lower HD or Lv being
Crafting item with time and tools without pressure
Performing athletic feats with no encumbrance in good health (or Lbs under STR)
Spending an hour wrecking the joint to find something hidden
Noticing something while distracted
Spotting monsters approaching in dark on guard duty
Break down a shack wooden dooor

Tough Feats
Resisting effect from a higher level or HD being
Crafting in a hurry or with improvised tools or poor materials
Perform athletic feats with armour and a backpack or fatigued
Finding hidden thing while searching for a turn
Spotting monsters sneaking towards you while on guard
Break down a tough locked dungeon door

Terrible Feats
Resisting effect from higher level or HD being while cursed, diseased or exhausted
Spotting a hidden thing while just passing through
Detecting a sneaking monster from behind or while not on guard or alseep
Desperate athletic feat while overburdened by encumbrance
Rushed craft with improvised tools in the dark or prison
Break down a metal reinforced castle door with a ram

Im considering dropping save mods gained with level to reduce complexity
Lots of ways to get pluses anyhow with skills and magic
This system rewards higher levels vs lower ones anyhow

I have a luck point system also which makes this all more functional and better than level based mods.

I might on my next character sheet put in space with stats for third values

Monsters can have HD+7 base saves if I dont know their stats
Makes them kinda vulnerable at low level and pretty tough at high level.
Makes inferior monsters weaker and superior ones tougher
Im happy to assign a monster a stat in some cases

Luck points let you re roll and dice
Most people have a starting amount equal to WIS bonus +1
(had to make stat do something)
Thieves get extra one per level to help them pull of suicidal feats, survive and look cool
As I make all classes level same up this was to help beef up the class
I give players a gold coin per point and hand them to me with each roll

Also for curiosity sake here is same table with half and quarter odds which you might prefer and is kinder on players maths ability. I like thirds because dnd has some septidecimal qualities and the odds are a bit kinder. A 3/4 difficulty might work to balance out a bit more.

I did consider both 1/3 and 1/4 together on a table but i thought three odds worked fine
D20 Stat Roll Difficulty and Bonus Table
Typical Stat Feat Odds
Tough Stat Feat Odds
Terrible Stat Feat Odds
1/1
1/2
1/4
3
2
1
4
2
1
5
3
1
6
3
2
7
4
2
8
4
3
9
5
3
10
5
3
11
6
3
12
6
3
13
7
3
14
7
4
15
8
4
16
8
4
17
9
4
18
9
5
19
10
5
20
10
5
21
11
5
22
11
6
23
12
6
24
12
6
25
13
6
26
13
7
27
14
7
28
14
7
29
15
7
30
15
8


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