[Information] Competition rules and rules queries for Outplay 2023

[Mindsiege]

[Bhelogan]

[Qiksilv]

Samuel has Engineering abilities that use both Technology and Humanity. Can he use both types to overcome a problem in the same roll? For example, if he had to pump up a bike tire could he roll Technology and gain a bonus die each for using the skills, Pump It! (Technology) and Say When! (Humanity) for total number of 4 dice (Basic, Job, Skill [tech], Skill [hum])? Or would he need to pick whether to roll for tech and use Pump It or roll for Humanity and use Say When?

I'm assuming the latter now that I'm thinking a little harder about it but hadn't put that together earlier.

[Bhelogan]

Originally Posted by Qiksilv

Samuel has Engineering abilities that use both Technology and Humanity. Can he use both types to overcome a problem in the same roll? For example, if he had to pump up a bike tire could he roll Technology and gain a bonus die each for using the skills, Pump It! (Technology) and Say When! (Humanity) for total number of 4 dice (Basic, Job, Skill [tech], Skill [hum])? Or would he need to pick whether to roll for tech and use Pump It or roll for Humanity and use Say When?

I'm assuming the latter now that I'm thinking a little harder about it but hadn't put that together earlier.

The latter. Pick one skill and make one roll.

[Qiksilv]

[Qiksilv]

So I made use of being allowed to pre-roll for my turn (super nice still, thanks). However, as I was typing I ended up changing tactics and so switched the skill I used. I assumed that in this instance it would be fine since both skills used Humanity. I was able to keep the same rolls and they amounted to the same result so I didn't expect any issues.

This made me wonder how would I have handled it if I had switched to a tech skill. Is that allowed? Would I re-roll (this seems dubious)? Would I assume that I keep the same number of successes/failures as my original roll (as long as the total dice were the same) and just change the name/function of what I did?

So, just to clarify, how much flexibility do we have to adjust our plans between pre-RP rolling and RP posting?

[Bhelogan]

Originally Posted by Qiksilv

So I made use of being allowed to pre-roll for my turn (super nice still, thanks). However, as I was typing I ended up changing tactics and so switched the skill I used. I assumed that in this instance it would be fine since both skills used Humanity. I was able to keep the same rolls and they amounted to the same result so I didn't expect any issues.

This made me wonder how would I have handled it if I had switched to a tech skill. Is that allowed? Would I re-roll (this seems dubious)? Would I assume that I keep the same number of successes/failures as my original roll (as long as the total dice were the same) and just change the name/function of what I did?

So, just to clarify, how much flexibility do we have to adjust our plans between pre-RP rolling and RP posting?

If you are switching from using one skill to another, that rolls using the same state (humanity or technology), then I am OK with swapping what was used. This is mostly narrative at that point.

However, that is the only swap I would allow since others could be used to abuse the situation. If I made you stick with your first rolls, and they all failed, you could just say you wanted to swap to a skill that used another stat. Or, if I did have you re-roll, it could be abused to try and roll again when a particular roll didn't go well.

[Bhelogan]

Some questions have come up about how successes are being tied towards advancing the narrative, and challenges being overcome. I think it is worth addressing here, since the System Thread is a little vague on how things will be handled.

Many of the challenges that I throw at you under this system have X number of successes needed to fully overcome them in the end. So, you may make progress getting 2, 3 or even 4 successes, but the end goal may take say 5 total successes from everyone working on it to be complete. (Not giving exact numbers for the challenges at hand, but just an overall insight into how I am using the system). Some of this will vary a bit depending on how directly related the actions taken are to solve the problem too. e.g. if you were trying to pull someone out of a pit, and you rolled 6 successes (say all 3 die hit your CN), to perform an entertainment act, to keep them happy while the others pulled, those 6 successes will probably keep their mind off their current problem but don't necessarily move forward as much the end goal of getting them free, as say the person who was pulling their arms out and rolled 2 successes.

Another way to view success in rolls is that you are successful in taking care of a specific part of a puzzle. But it doesn't solve the whole puzzle. Or, you can think of it like HP on a monster in a d20 system. Your attack succeeds, and you do a good chunk of damage. But, it takes more than one hit to bring down the monster in most cases.

I think in 2021, I probably did a better job of focusing on the mechanics, and how many die rolls were needed for actions, as well as calling out specific penalties for mixed successes. So far this year, mixed failures have resulted in narrative results that mostly required another round of actions to deal with, or caused side effects that have an impact on what is available for the next round of actions.

Hopefully that helps clear things up, but I am happy to answer any specific questions you may still have!

[Qiksilv]

Originally Posted by Bhelogan

...rolls using the same state (humanity or technology)...This is mostly narrative at that point.

However, ... if I did have you re-roll, it could be abused to try and roll again when a particular roll didn't go well.

That was what I had assumed. Thanks for clarifying

[Qiksilv]

Is it possible to benefit from more than one skill per roll if they use the same trait?

Could a sous chef use 'do I detect a hint of...' to determine the best course to make with a surprise ingredient and also use 'whip to a frenzy' to get her crew to get the dish prepped very quickly? Thus getting to roll 4d6. Or is the max roll 3d6 without getting help or a DM bonus?

[Bhelogan]

Originally Posted by Qiksilv

Is it possible to benefit from more than one skill per roll if they use the same trait?

Could a sous chef use 'do I detect a hint of...' to determine the best course to make with a surprise ingredient and also use 'whip to a frenzy' to get her crew to get the dish prepped very quickly? Thus getting to roll 4d6. Or is the max roll 3d6 without getting help or a DM bonus?

Max is 3d6, can only use one skill at a time. Help from others or bonuses from other sources can be added to that.

[Qiksilv]

Roger

[Mindsiege]

[Bhelogan]

[Mindsiege]