>
> One thing I'm having some trouble with is that there is a functional
> difference between a POSITIVE skill (eg using the skill causes something
to
> happen) and a NEGATIVE skill (using it causes something NOT to happen).
>
> So when someone attacks and I use "dodge" - what happens when we both
fail?
> I've thought that the simplest solution would be to say the positive skill
> MUST succeed for the result to matter (ie. if he misses, it doesn't matter
> if I dodge) but then I get stuck on fumbles. What if I critically fail my
> dodge?
>
> Same goes for listen/sneak, etc.
The "positive" ability usually has to succeeed in order to affect the
opponent, but a Failure-Fumble *will* result in a minor victory (completely
blowing the roll means you walked into his backswing/made such a loud noise
that he couldn't ignore it even with cotton stuffed in his ears, etc).
See the Simple Contest chart.
RR