jeuderologie: comparison draft/dream14apr03.txt

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+The Impossible Dream
+#5: Resolution Mechanics II
+*by Hunter Logan*
+Apr 14,2003
+Last time, I wrote about the use of Chance, Ability, and Intent in
+constructing resolution mechanics. I brought the article to a rather
+abrupt close. I feel bad to have done that, but it works out better
+because I want to peer more deeply into the resolution play flow. I
+think a resolution mechanic is more than just a resolution mechanic.
+It's really a mechanical process that includes at least one mechanical
+device and one evaluation. That mechanical process is presented as a
+resolution play flow. The undefined item here is the /evaluation/, so
+that's a good place to begin.
+The Five Means of Evaluation
+A mechanic really isn't a mechanic without a means of evaluating what
+happened. It occurs to me that any mechanic has five means of
+evaluation. This is how I conceptualize the way that players evaluate
+what happens after a mechanical device is used. The terms are
+/Absolute/, /Unopposed/, /Opposed/, /Played/, and /Qualified/. Here are
+the explanations.
+*/Absolute evaluation/* is usually based on Die Result vs. Fixed Scale.
+The player generates a Die Result using a method such as Skill +
+Attribute + Die Roll. The GM may apply a modifier for difficulty or
+situation. For an easy job or situation where a character has the upper
+hand, the GM might apply a large positive modifier. For a really tough
+job or situations where the character is at a disadvantage, the GM might
+apply a large negative modifier. The GM (or player) compares the die
+result to the fixed scale and determines the outcome. This is a personal
+preference, but I think modifiers are a bad idea for this sort of
+mechanic. The purpose of an absolute evaluation is mostly to gauge the
+quality of character effort. The evaluation may also provide an outcome;
+but as a GM, when I asked for this sort of roll, I usually just wanted
+the player to impress me with a great die result. Either way, a low
+result here means the character was inept and failed, while a high
+result indicates heroic performance and great success. Here is an example
+* Device (Chance and Ability): Player rolls Skill + Attribute + Die
+Roll vs. Fixed Scale.
+* Evaluation (Unopposed): In this example, the GM assessed the
+Difficulty as a modifier. The GM compares the modified Die Result
+to the Fixed Scale. If the Die Result is 3 or greater, the
+character achieves some degree of success. Otherwise, the
+character fails. More important, the character's effort is clumsy
+or lackluster unless the player rolls 5 or better.
+*Modifiers* Challenge	Modifier
+Easy	+1 or more
+Average	0
+Difficult	-1 or more
+*Results* Die Result	Effort	Outcome
+0-2	Poor	Fail
+3-4	Fair	Progress
+5-7	Good	Success
+8+	Heroic	Bonus
+*/Unopposed evaluation/* is usually based on a variable scale with a
+device such as Die Result vs. Target Number where the die result is
+Skill + Die Roll or something similar. The GM adjusts the Target Number
+(TN) based on difficulty or challenge. An easy task often has a low TN.
+A difficult task has a high TN. Here is a common example:
+* Device (Chance and Ability): Player rolls Skill + Die Roll vs. TN.
+* Evaluation (Unopposed): In this example, the GM assessed the
+Difficulty as a modifier The GM compares the Die Result to the
+Target Number. If the Die Result is equal to or greater than the
+TN, the character succeeds. Otherwise, the character fails.
+*Target Number* Die Roll	Result
+2	Easy
+4	Average
+6	Difficult
+9	Impossible
+*Results* Die Roll	Result
+< target	Fail
+= or > target	Success
+*/Opposed evaluation/* is mostly based on a comparison of effort such as
+PC's die result vs. opponent's die result. Here is an example:
+* Device (Chance and Ability): Player rolls Skill + Modifiers + Die
+Roll vs. Opponent's die result.
+* Evaluation (Opposed): The GM compares the player's die result to
+the opponent's die result. Here is a set of possible outcomes:
+*Results* PC Die Result	Result
+< Opponent	PC Loses
+= Opponent	Draw
+> Opponent	PC Wins
+*/Played evaluation/* is mostly based on player intent. In this
+situation, one player (usually the GM) gets to say what happens to
+another player's declaration. This is often tied into ideas of diceless
+play. Here is an example:
+* Device (Intent): The player declares that his character is using
+the radio to call for artillery support.
+* Evaluation (Played): The GM considers that the request is logical.
+The character has a radio, expert military training, and artillery
+support. He decides to play along and replies that the character
+has successfully called for support.
+*/Qualified evaluation/* is mostly a check to determine whether or not a
+character is qualified to do a thing. Here is an example:
+* Device (Intent): The player declares that his character will
+attempt to scale a sheer cliff face.
+* Evaluation (Qualified): The GM asks the player about the
+character's equipment and skills. The character has some climbing
+skill, but no equipment. The GM determines that the character can
+attempt the climb, but it will be both difficult and dangerous.
+The Four Mechanical Structures
+To discuss mechanical structures more accurately, I have identified four
+mechanical structures that you can employ to build a set of resolution
+mechanics. Each is a process represented as a resolution play flow. You
+may declare others as you need, but I'm starting with these four. They
+are /Single/, /Series/, /Nested/, and /Countdown/ mechanics.
+*/Single mechanics/* include one device and one evaluation. Here is an
+example of a single mechanic:
+* Device (Chance and Ability): The player rolls Character Skill +
+Die Roll vs. Target Number.
+* Evaluation (unopposed): If character's effort (Character Skill +
+Die Roll) is equal to or greater than the challenge (Target
+Number), the character is successful. If the character's effort is
+less than the target number, the character fails.
+*/Series mechanics/* consist of two or more single structures chained
+together to produce a set of mechanics. This is a more complex play
+flow, but the series mechanic is the most common structure for event
+resolution for a single character. Here is an example of a series mechanic:
+* Device (Intent): The player declares the character's action.
+* Evaluation (Qualified): The GM determines the required skill. If
+the character lacks the skill, the character fails. If the
+character has the skill, the GM sets the target number and the
+player rolls the dice.
+* Device (Chance and Ability): The player rolls Character Skill +
+Die Roll vs. Target Number.
+* Evaluation (unopposed): If the character's effort (Character
+Attribute + Die Roll) is equal to or greater than the challenge
+(Target Number), the character is successful. If the character's
+effort is less than the target number, the character fails.
+*/Nested mechanics/* usually consist of a single or series structure
+nested inside another mechanical device or evaluation. Here is an example.
+* Device (Intent): The player declares the character's action. In
+this case, the character threatens a prisoner with a
+wicked-looking knife in hopes that the prisoner will talk.
+* Evaluation (Qualified): The GM considers that the character can
+easily make good on the threat. Anyone with common sense would
+start talking, but the GM isn't sure this prisoner qualifies.
+Also, the GM doesn't really want to play his own willpower against
+that of the player. The GM decides to roll dice for the result.
+o Device (Chance): The GM rolls a d6 for the prisoner.
+o Evaluation (Unopposed): The GM decides that a result of 6
+makes the prisoner resist. The die result was 2. The
+prisoner failed, meaning he will sing like a canary for the
+PC in hopes of avoiding the pointy end of the knife. The GM
+declares this.
+*/Countdown mechanics/* include a device, an evaluation, and a
+countdown. The structure is basically a loop that serves as a shell for
+nested mechanics. It's extremely helpful when resolving actions for
+several characters. Its primary purpose is to aid in running combat.
+Here is an example of a countdown:
+* Device (Chance and Ability): The GM asks the players to roll
+initiative. The GM rolls initiative for NPCs or monsters.
+* Evaluation (Qualified): The GM determines which participant has
+the highest die roll. That participant is at the beginning of the
+countdown and goes first. In the event of a tie, the GM may use
+another method to break the tie.
+o Device (Intent): The player declares the character's action.
+o Evaluation (Qualified): The GM determines the required skill.
++ If the character lacks the skill, the character fails.
++ If the character has the skill, the GM sets the target
+number and the player rolls the dice.
+o Device (Chance and Ability): The player rolls Character
+Skill + Die Roll vs. Target Number.
+o Evaluation (unopposed): The GM determines the outcome.
++ If the character's effort (Character Skill + Die Roll)
+is equal to or greater than the challenge (Target
+Number), the character is successful.
++ If the character's effort is less than the target
+number, the character fails.
+o Continue Countdown. When the current character's action is
+resolved, the GM continues the countdown.
++ If the countdown has not reached 0 and the
+participants still have actions to resolve, the GM
+determines who goes next and returns to step A.
++ If the countdown reaches 0 or all actions are
+resolved, the countdown ends. Continue to step 4.
+* Continue Play. The countdown is complete.
+An Approach to Chance and Ability
+Here is an example showing a common resolution flow that uses Chance,
+Ability and Intent (but mostly features Chance and Ability):
+* Device (Intent). The player declares what he wants the character
+to do.
+* Evaluation (qualified). The character may be able to do it. The
+player must roll dice.
+* Device (Ability and Chance). The player rolls Skill + Die Roll for
+his character.
+* Evaluation (unopposed): If the die result is good enough, the
+character will succeed.
+In the example, Intent helps the GM define the skill required for the
+die roll and set the target number. I think Intent is most often used in
+combination with qualified evaluation. At least, that's the sense I get
+from many games. In this example, the actual resolution mechanism is a
+second device, Skill + Die Roll. It's a combination of Chance and Ability.
+This is the part I find interesting: Any combination of Chance and
+Ability can be skewed toward one or the other.
+* If Skill is small compared to the range of the die roll, then
+Chance is dominant.
+*/Example:/* Say the range for a skill is 0 to 8 where 0 is
+untrained, 4 is fully trained, and 8 is the best on the planet.
+Now say the die roll is 1d20. This gives an unmodified range of
+results from 0 to 28, but a fully trained character only has skill
+4. For a fully trained character, the skill is really just a
+modifier. The situation is a little better for characters with
+more skill, but an untrained character has modifier 0. In that
+case, the result is pure Chance. I can slant this even further by
+saying, "A rolled 1 is an automatic failure and a rolled 20 is an
+automatic success." The only other variable is the target number.
+If the target numbers are small (and they probably would be for
+really easy jobs), then Ability may still have some meaning.
+Otherwise, Chance is still the dominant factor.
+* If Skill is large compared to the die roll, then Ability is dominant.
+*/Example:/* Say the range of attributes is 0 to 20 where 0 is
+untrained, 8 is trained, and 20 is the best on the planet. This
+time the die roll is 1d4. This gives a range of possible results
+from 1 to 24, but now the die roll is just a modifier and the
+range for a trained character is simply 9 to 12 without modifiers.
+For a trained character, Ability now represents 67% of the total
+range. The result is slanted far more heavily toward Ability.
+Without modifiers, the character can't complete any job with a
+target of 13 or more; and the player may not need to roll for
+targets ranging from 0 to 9.
+Another Approach to Chance and Ability
+I want to look at one last way of balancing Chance and Ability. I didn't
+think of it; Scott Lininger did. In his rpg, /The Window/
+<http://www.mimgames.com/window/> he employs a single die, roll-under
+mechanic that accounts for increasing ability by reducing the number of
+sides on the die. His method uses every type of die from d4 to d30. I'm
+not usually a fan of using so many different dice, but what Scott has
+done is noteworthy. Basically, he set the default target number at 6.
+Depending on the situation, the GM can increase or decrease it. When the
+player needs to roll dice, he rolls the die that corresponds to the
+character's competence. If the character is really horrible at
+something, the player rolls a d30. If the character is truly outstanding
+at something, the player rolls a d4. In this way, the effect of Chance
+increases as Ability decreases. I think it's incredibly elegant.
+An Approach to Chance and Intent
+Historically, Intent has been the junior partner in resolving events. Of
+course, the player has always been empowered to declare what he wants
+his character to do or to say what he wants to happen; but wanting a
+thing has rarely been enough to make it so. More recently, game
+designers have provided more means to let the players have what they
+want, even if that means letting the players do some of the things
+traditionally left for the GM. Since players are accustomed to rolling
+dice in order to get their way, it seems perfectly logical to continue
+that trend. In the following example, Ability is still a factor in the
+mechanic, but Chance is the deciding factor because the player is never
+truly assured of victory.
+* Device (Intent): The player wants some weakling bad guys to show
+up so that his character can safely test out a shiny, new weapon.
+* Evaluation (Qualified): The GM sets the target at 3 or better. The
+player needs at least one success. The GM asks the player to roll
+the dice.
+* Device (Chance and Ability): The player is Counting Victories
+based on his character's Director attribute. That is, in this game
+the character has an attribute called Director that the player can
+use to directly affect the game world. The player rolls a d6 for
+each point of Director. For each result 3 or greater, the player
+gets a success.
+* Evaluation (Unopposed): The player rolled 3 dice with results 2, 3
+and 5. This nets two successes. The player gets what he wants. If
+the player had failed, the GM may still have had some bad guys
+show up, but the GM might make them much stronger and more
+dangerous than the player anticipated.
+An Approach to Ability and Intent
+The combination of Ability and Intent is really the foundation for
+diceless roleplaying and usually the mechanism for giving players access
+to the powers of the GM. In this case, it's very easy to completely
+remove Chance from the equation.
+* Device (Ability and Intent): The player wants his character, a
+military officer, to call for fire support against an enemy position.
+* Evaluation (Qualified, Unopposed): The GM determines that the
+character has everything needed to accomplish the goal.
+Mechanically, there is nothing else to do, so the GM says, �After
+placing two spotting rounds, you have the range.
+* Device (Ability and Intent): The player says, "I call, 'Fire for
+effect!'"
+* Evaluation (Qualified, Unopposed): The GM says, "A few seconds
+later, the target area erupts in a cloud of smoke and flame as 36
+rounds of 120mm high explosive detonate on impact.�
+That wraps up my discussion of resolution mechanics. Next installment, I
+will attempt to show how everything discussed thus far can help produce
+the core of a game. Thanks for reading.
+What do you think? <http://trio.rpg.net/pf/list.php?f=110>
+Go to forum! <http://www.rpg.net/pf/list.php?f=110>
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+Topics 	Author  	Date 	Latest Reply
+cooldog cotangent
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=98&t=98> (1) new
+cranial_index  	01-31-2006 20:46  	01-31-2006 20:46 new
+CORONA <http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=97&t=97> (1) new
+corn_chamomile  	01-31-2006 20:25  	01-31-2006 20:25 new
+Fendi Spy Bags WHOLESALE@WizardReplica.com
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=95&t=95> (1) new 	514
+12-02-2005 10:55  	12-02-2005 10:55 new
+Designer Handbags Wholesale@WWW.WIZARDREPLICA.COM
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=94&t=94> (1) new 	868
+11-14-2005 19:41  	11-14-2005 19:41 new
+REPLICA HANDBAGS LOUIS VUITTON REPLICA WHOLESALE@
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=93&t=93> (1) new 	794
+10-20-2005 21:37  	10-20-2005 21:37 new
+Death/playing style
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=92&t=92> (1) new 	Searcher
+09-22-2003 11:35  	09-22-2003 11:35 new
+Death and actual immortality
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=89&t=89> (3) new 	Cpl Ferro
+07-19-2003 08:53  	01-13-2006 15:22 new
+Non-death death
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=85&t=85> (5) new 	S�rgio
+Mascarenhas  	07-18-2003 03:07  	07-23-2003 02:38 new
+Thanks, Hunter
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=80&t=80> (4) new 	Allan
+Sugarbaker  	07-16-2003 00:18  	07-17-2003 19:34 new
+Realism <http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=74&t=74> (3) new
+Robin  	06-20-2003 01:23  	06-25-2003 02:34 new
+Something you might have mentioned.
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=65&t=65> (3) new 	Yamo
+06-19-2003 16:13  	06-19-2003 18:11 new
+BTW, excellent column, Hunter!
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=63&t=63> (2) new 	flyingmice
+06-19-2003 13:11  	06-19-2003 18:13 new
+Armor and Damage Thereto
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=56&t=56> (2) new 	The Student
+06-19-2003 08:45  	06-19-2003 11:44 new
+Armor <http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=54&t=54> (9) new
+flyingmice  	06-19-2003 08:29  	06-20-2003 06:12 new
+Death spiral and unconsciousness
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=53&t=53> (7) new 	Torben
+Mogensen  	06-19-2003 07:31  	06-20-2003 06:52 new
+lucky or skilled
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=51&t=51> (2) new 	rhyme
+05-12-2003 18:49  	05-13-2003 09:25 new
+Absolute, unopposed and opposed
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=48&t=48> (2) new 	Torben
+Mogensen  	04-16-2003 02:19  	04-16-2003 09:26 new
+0-9 open ended = brilliant!
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=31&t=31> (8) new 	Vibropod
+03-12-2003 10:41  	07-18-2003 01:28 new
+Smooth rerolls
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=27&t=27> (10) new 	Torben
+Mogensen  	03-12-2003 00:47  	03-16-2003 23:57 new
+Resolution Mechanics
+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=110&i=25&t=25> (8) new 	Kyle
+Schuant  	03-11-2003 22:14  	03-29-2003 21:28 new
+Go to Top <http://www.rpg.net/pf/list.php?f=110>  |  New Topic
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+<http://www.rpg.net/pf/list.php?f=110&t=25&a=2&>
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Previous columns
+* #8: True Death </news+reviews/columns/dream17jul03.html> by Hunter
+Logan, 17jul03
+* #7: Assessing Damage </news+reviews/columns/dream19jun03.html> by
+Hunter Logan, 19jun03
+* #6: Putting Theory to the Test
+</news+reviews/columns/dream12may03.html> by Hunter Logan, 12may03
+* #5: Resolution Mechanics II
+</news+reviews/columns/dream14apr03.html> by Hunter Logan, 14apr03
+* Resolution Mechanics I </news+reviews/columns/dream11mar03.html>
+by Hunter Logan, 11mar03
+* Player Goals </news+reviews/columns/dream10feb03.html> by Hunter
+Logan, 10feb03
+* Balance of Power </news+reviews/columns/dream20jan03.html> by
+Hunter Logan, 20jan03
+* Play Flow First </news+reviews/columns/dream01jan03.html> by
+Hunter Logan, 01jan03
+Other columns </news+reviews/columns.html> at RPGnet
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branch	ecjdr
changeset 92	bdef1afd1170