I've got several ideas in my head, but thought I'd bounce some off of you guys to get your input.  Obviously you're all gamers, and I value outside input.

What I know I want is a unified resolution mechanic for both combat and out of combat stuff.  I think that's just an easier way to go about things, especially for a newer player.

But I'm not sure if I should go with something like a (d20 or d10) + modifiers against target #, go with a % system, or go with a dice pool system similar to the one I use for Altus:



The first two require math during the actual combat round which can slow things down.  The dice pool system eliminates this and makes combat faster, but brings in an awkward table that isn't the most intuitive thing in the world.  To unify it with out of combat skills, I'd have to assign a difficulty # to that check, and players would be assigned a dice pool level for each skill, and then try to beat the difficulty number.

I don't know, any other better ideas out there?

The main pitfalls  I can see with Altus' system is that instead of rolling 1 die you can end up rolling lots of dice, so mass combats, sets of saves, etc. will be fairly slow. The table is a bit clunky and how difficult it is for a character to make a roll is hard for the GM to know.

The "compare next highest" system means opposed checks always need a roll - I can't see how you could calculate a default target number the way that e.g. d20 has passive rolls against [10+modifier]. Again can slow things down.

Wondering what rationale is used to explain "+1 DP" vs. fixed "+1d8"? Is there a definition that fits logically with that or mostly ad hoc which modifier to use ?

Quote from: Bloody Stupid Johnson;543877The main pitfalls  I can see with Altus' system is that instead of rolling 1 die you can end up rolling lots of dice, so mass combats, sets of saves, etc. will be fairly slow. The table is a bit clunky and how difficult it is for a character to make a roll is hard for the GM to know.

You never roll more than five dice, and most times would be rolling only 3 at a time.  That's not hard or time consuming to see which one is the highest value.

QuoteThe "compare next highest" system means opposed checks always need a roll - I can't see how you could calculate a default target number the way that e.g. d20 has passive rolls against [10+modifier]. Again can slow things down.

This wouldn't happen for out of combat checks.  In those, you'd have, say, a difficultly of 6 that you have to beat.  So you roll your pool, and if any of your dice are 6 or higher, success

QuoteWondering what rationale is used to explain "+1 DP" vs. fixed "+1d8"? Is there a definition that fits logically with that or mostly ad hoc which modifier to use ?

Disregard that part.  That's an Altus only mechanic that comes up rarely.

Quote from: Sacrosanct;543885You never roll more than five dice, and most times would be rolling only 3 at a time.  That's not hard or time consuming to see which one is the highest value.

Don't mind me I'm just spoiled by Savage Worlds

QuoteDisregard that part.  That's an Altus only mechanic that comes up rarely.

Hmm. Have to go re-read Altus then for my own edification.

Do you prefer the d20+modifiers or a % based system then?

Sorry it seems to be just me replying : ( You lurkers all suck.
 
I'm pretty fond of d20+modifiers systems. Compared to the d100 its easy to roll dice without pairing, and additive rather than roll-under which always seemed to make more sense to me (i.e. higher numbers are always better).
The downside for d20+mods is perhaps that there's often an attribute modifiers table, and so 'dead spots' where some points give an extra bonus and some don't, though there's assorted fixes for that I guess.

FWIW, I really do appreciate the feedback, even if you're the only one replying

NP, glad to be of assistance.
BTW, always happy to be told that some theory of mine is stupid as well, so I can keep refining them : )