OD&D expressed less interest in whether a figure can sit a horse, than in whither he will ride.

I think that's for the better.

Quote from: dbm;855718I've tried to move the conversation on a few times: everyone drop the cake

How about stuff like a chase, where success or failure could be critical to the characters objectives of wellbeing? Or disarming a physical or magical dohicky? Given the common stance that DnD or other games are about more than just killing things and taking their stuff few provide good tools for gaming other types of endeavour.

Being chased while trying to disarm a sliding puzzle exploding cake? :cool:

In D&D a stat check was the fallback for any task not covered. That is even in the rules somewhere in the AD&D DMG. Or make some sort of equivalent save-vs. The tools are there. There was no need for more complexeties. Do you really need a seperate mechanic to tie a knot? To walk a tight rope? Bake a cake? etc?

Some players feel they do. Some dont.

Simple, throw away actions deserve simple or no mechanical representation as the outcome is irrelevant or not in doubt.

More complex actions which the players are invested in, either by having a lot riding on them or because they are a signiature feature of their character, deserve more nuanced treatment IMO.