Test of Traits
Posted on February 22, 2009 | Posted By Skycast
Filed Under Crunch | Tags: Alternate Rules | 1 Comment
This is something I’ve been working over in my brain for some time, this is an early draft…I’m looking for feedback and suggestions.
—–
Byrd sat across the table from the large Keltic man, he had been enjoying a few tankards of ale with the man, but time was running short. He needed the information and he needed it now, but the Kelt was forthcoming. Time to set aside the pleasantries and get down to business…let the verbal sparring begin.
Normally a trait test consists of a single roll in order to determine success or failure. A Test of Traits is a series of rolls required in order to succeed at a complex or time consuming task. A Test of Traits has two separate components, the Test Difficulty and Traits and Targets.
Test Difficulty
In order to complete the task at hand, those involved must successfully use an attribute or skill a number of times before failing a set number of times. The following table shows the number of successes or failures based upon the desired difficulty.
|
Difficulty |
Successes | Failures |
| Easy | 3 | 2 |
| Difficult | 5 | 3 |
| Challenging | 7 | 4 |
| Formidable | 9 | 5 |
If the number of successes is reached prior to rolling the listed number of failures, the task is completed.
Traits and Targets
Each task at hand will have certain attributes and skills that are appropriate for the task at hand. These, as well as the difficulty of the Target Number must be determined when designing a Test of Traits.
Dynamic Target Numbers
Savage Worlds uses a stagnant Target Number of 4 to resolve all trait tests and applies modifiers depending upon difficulty. The modifiers to this roll range from +2 to something trivial to –2 or –4, for particularly difficult tasks. It is often useful to think of a task at hand as being “easy”, “difficult”, or “impossible” instead of trying to apply a numerical modifier. This does not affect the rules in any way, just the thought process over assigning modifiers for tasks.
Instead of modifiers, the following chart is used to assign target numbers based upon the difficulty of a task; one category, “trivial”, not shown here consists of tasks that are so simple that they don’t require a trait test. These tasks are typically just worked into a scene’s narrative or hand-waved by the game master.
| Difficulty | Target Number |
| Easy | 2 |
| Normal | 4 |
| Difficult | 6 |
| Challenging | 8 |
| Formidable | 10 |
| “Impossible” | 12 |
Example
In the opening narrative a character (Byrd) is trying to pry some information out of a non-player character. He is trying to use his wit, charm and knowledge to loosen his tongue. At some point the player will be informed that he must complete a Test of Traits.
The player should not be told what Attributes are applicable; he should determine what to do on his own. In addition, the rolls should be made during the course of roleplaying the encounter, bonuses (or penalties) to the trait rolls should be awarded as warranted.
Test of Traits
Difficult Test – 5 successes required before 3 failures; the following Attributes are in play.
Intimidation (TN = 10)
The Keltic adversary is not very susceptible to be pushed around, the target number required to intimidate the man into talking is a formidable task.
Knowledge (TN = 6)
Byrd can attempt to use his own knowledge of the situation to get his adversary talking, this is a difficult task.
Persuasion (TN = 4)
The easiest course of action in this instance is to simply try to talk the information out of the Kelt with wit and charisma, this is a normal task.
Mr. Silent
Posted on February 11, 2009 | Posted By Skycast
Filed Under Supporting Cast | Tags: Superheroes, Wild Cards | 2 Comments
Since Heroes has started back up with its fourth installment I thought it would be appropriate to revisit one of our real-life superheroes from the oddee.com article. Oh, and speaking of Heroes, I’ve been reading mixed reviews about the newest installment online. Yes, I know the fugitives angle has been done to death in comic books, but this is television and a good majority of the viewing audience aren’t comic book geeks. I’m enjoying the new season, it has potential…so just enjoy the ride.
Mr. Silent patrols the streets of Indianapolis. Unlike his hero Bruce Wayne, Mr. Silent’s alter ego isn’t a billionaire. He has a full-time job to tend to, so he only makes it out about once per week, cruising the alleys of Downtown after dark, looking to help where needed. "I roam the streets of the city looking for those in distress or danger and I do my best to help them. If those in need of help are being mugged or hurt in anyway, then you can be assured that I will do something about it. One may ask, how I can call myself a superhero when I can’t fly or run at mach 3. The answer is simple. I am idealistically super. I see what, in my opinion, needs changed in society and I work towards that goal," said Silent.
Mr. Silent*
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d8, Strength d8, Vigor d8
Skills: Driving d6, Fighting d10, Guts d8, Intimidation d10, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Stealth d6, Streetwise d8
Pace: 6; Parry: 7 (8 w/Block); Toughness: 6; Charisma: 0
Hindrances: Heroic
Edges: Block, First Strike, Level Headed Luck, Trademark Weapon (silver-tipped cane)
Equipment: Silver-Tipped Cane (Str+d6)
Back Online
Posted on February 9, 2009 | Posted By Skycast
Filed Under General | Tags: Site | 1 Comment
When I rebooted Wild Die in January I promised myself that I would make sure that updating the site didn’t become a chore; an albatross hanging over my head sapping the fun out of creating for Savage Worlds. I have to remind myself that even though it’s been a few since an update, I need to keep that focus. I traveled a week for work, came back to the mass of work that piles up while you’re gone and caught back up with life. So things are now settled back and I can turn some attention to finishing up and getting some Savaged related posting done.
Remember…it’s all for fun.