Re: Re: Combat & Simple Contests

From: Thom Baguley <t.s.baguley_at_...>
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 12:46:25 +0100


> From: Alex Ferguson <abf_at_...>
>
>Thom Baguley:
>> An alternative to simple contests is probably the ability test. Assuming a
>> pathetic cowering trollkin slave I'd let a hero defeat it with just a
>> successful ability test. A warrior trollkin deserves an extended contest
>> (with only 11 or 12 AP it will be fairly quick!).
>
>Dramatically & narrative, that's a sensible and obvious course. OTOH
>bear in mind that statistically, it's the "pathetic cowering trollkin
>slave" that's getting the "even break" here, and the warrior that's
>getting (even more!) hosed by the choice of resolution mechanic...

Not really. The trollkin's ability test would be "run away" or "cower". Note that the ability test is just a success/fail roll with no direct connection to the level of defeat table (unless I've understood it).

>An ad solution to this is to give a rough and ready "simple contest
>bonus" to the superior party to respresent the extra advantage
>they would have gotten had an EC been used.

One thing to bear in mind, though, is that extended contests are _very_ quick when one side has a big advantage (2-3 rounds tops).

Thom

Powered by hypermail