Samsara:Contests - Revision history

66.91.141.198 at 01:46, 15 October 2005

2005-10-15T01:46:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:46, 15 October 2005
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	Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.		Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.


			[[Samsara:Main Page\|Main Page]]

	1.[[Samsara:Fundamentals\|Fundamentals]]		1.[[Samsara:Fundamentals\|Fundamentals]]
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	10.[[Samsara:Long term play\|Long Term Play]]		10.[[Samsara:Long term play\|Long Term Play]]

	11.[[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|Appendix A - Ultramundane Abilities]]		11.[[Samsara:Examples of play\|Examples of Play]]

			12.[[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|Appendix A - Ultramundane Abilities]]

			13.[[Samsara:Settings\|Appendix B – Settings]]

The Fiendish Dr. Samsara: Clarifications, corrections, and links

2005-05-11T21:15:27Z

Clarifications, corrections, and links

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:15, 11 May 2005
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	=Contests=		=Contests=
	==Full Contest Resolution==		==Full Contest Resolution==
	However a contest is conceived in story-terms, it plays out the same way mechanically: the protagonist adds up his relevant modifiers, subtracts the antagonist’s relevant modifiers, and adds that to the roll of a single, d12. ~~That~~ number that results is compared to the chart below. A total of 7 or greater results in checks beings delivered to the opponent. A total of 6 or less results in checks being delivered to the protagonist.		However a contest is conceived in story-terms, it plays out the same way mechanically: the protagonist adds up his relevant modifiers, subtracts the antagonist’s relevant modifiers, and adds that to the roll of a single [[d12]]. The number that results is compared to the chart below. A total of 7 or greater results in checks beings delivered to the opponent. A total of 6 or less results in checks being delivered to the protagonist.

	This means that an actor can, in some sense, hurt himself by acting just as he could hurt his opponent. An action taken in a contest is a gamble: do you win or lose? Move closer to success or failure? This means that the basic roll is not a “to hit” roll, as is more usually seen in RPGs. Rolling low doesn’t mean that you missed. It means that you swung your sword and it was parried and now you’re a little off-balance. Or you hurt your wrist. Or maybe that your execution was perfect, but suddenly your opponent’s man-servant threw himself in front of you. It means ~~something—anything—but~~ always something more interesting than “you missed”.		This means that an actor can, in some sense, hurt himself by acting just as he could hurt his opponent. An action taken in a contest is a gamble: do you win or lose? Move closer to success or failure? This means that the basic roll is not a “to hit” roll, as is more usually seen in RPGs. Rolling low doesn’t mean that you missed. It means that you swung your sword and it was parried and now you’re a little off-balance. Or you hurt your wrist. Or maybe that your execution was perfect, but suddenly your opponent’s man-servant threw himself in front of you. It means something—<i>anything</i>—but always something more interesting than “you missed”.

	Contests are goal-oriented, rather than task-oriented and each roll of the die represents an attempt to achieve the actor’s goal. <b>SAMSARA’s</b> system of contest resolution is thus abstract, rather than action-specific. How that goal is furthered or hindered, achieved or not, must be interpreted from the die result. A high result means that the actor has come closer to achieving his goal, while a low result means that his attempt has been hampered. That is all it means, but it ~~means~~ that. The specifics of those meanings must be brought out be player and GM to suit the narrative style and needs of the story being told.		Contests are goal-oriented, rather than task-oriented and each roll of the die represents an attempt to achieve the actor’s goal. <b>SAMSARA’s</b> system of contest resolution is thus abstract, rather than action-specific. How that goal is furthered or hindered, achieved or not, must be interpreted from the die result. A high result means that the actor has come closer to achieving his goal, while a low result means that his attempt has been hampered. That is all it means, but it does mean that. The specifics of those meanings must be brought out be player and GM to suit the narrative style and needs of the story being told.

	==Determining the Actor’s Modifier==		==Determining the Actor’s Modifier==
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	Don’t worry about the Success Descriptors right now (see Simple Contests for that). Let’s take the first two columns first.		Don’t worry about the Success Descriptors right now (see Simple Contests for that) or the fractions. Let’s take the first two columns first.

	==Extrapolating the Contest Roll==		==Extrapolating the Contest Roll==
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	*One could roll 2d6 instead of 1d12. This would keep the same range of possible outcomes, more-or-less, but due to the shift in probability distribution from flat to bell-curved (well, triangular, actually), the results will tend more toward the middle, with a roll of 7 as the most likely outcome. The effect of this variation would be to favor the more capable actors in a contest as the random factor of the die will be diminished. This would make for a grittier game, with less wild occurrences. On the other hand, that also means that the most likely raw outcome is a success, unless you shift the results table down.		*One could roll 2d6 instead of 1d12. This would keep the same range of possible outcomes, more-or-less, but due to the shift in probability distribution from flat to bell-curved (well, triangular, actually), the results will tend more toward the middle, with a roll of 7 as the most likely outcome. The effect of this variation would be to favor the more capable actors in a contest as the random factor of the die will be diminished. This would make for a grittier game, with less wild occurrences. On the other hand, that also means that the most likely raw outcome is a success, unless you shift the results table down.

	*By rolling 2d8, one would also tend to reduce randomness and favor the more capable, but with a greater possible range of outcomes. This would somewhat counter-act the first effect and allow a greater possibility for wild, unexpected occurrences. This variation is then a mix between grittier and wilder. If you use this variation, you might want to shift the results of the contest roll by two places since the average roll will be a 9. So 9 should result in .25 checks, 10 in .5, and so on. If you don’t do this, then everybody will start doing very much better in contests. Which is fine if that’s what you want.		*By rolling 2d8, one would also tend to reduce randomness and favor the more capable, but with a greater possible range of outcomes. This would somewhat counter-act the first effect and allow a greater possibility for wild, unexpected occurrences. This variation is then a mix between grittier and wilder. If you use this variation, you might want to shift the results of the contest roll by two places since the average roll will be a 9. So 9 should result in .33 checks, 10 in .66, and so on. If you don’t do this, then everybody will start doing very much better in contests. Which is fine if that’s what you want.

	*3d6 just increases the variation from above: an even wider range of possible outcomes with a much more pronounced probability curve (a real curve in this case). Again, you might want to shift the results of the contest roll as the most likely result of 3d6 is a 10 or 11.		*3d6 just increases the variation from above: an even wider range of possible outcomes with a much more pronounced probability curve (a real curve in this case). Again, you might want to shift the results of the contest roll as the most likely result of 3d6 is a 10 or 11.
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	Thus, for example, the ~~mad berserker~~ goes into a berserk. This means he is attacking with an Effect rating of 4. His least successful contest roll would be a 7 (everybody’s least successful contest roll); the chart says that a 7 means .33 checks delivered. So this foaming-mouthed chap multiplies 4 by .33 and ends up with 2 checks delivered. Even his least successful roll isn’t too shabby. If he had a contest roll of 10, he would multiply 4 by 1.66 and deliver 7 checks. A good roll by the berserker could put an average opponent out in one go.		Thus, for example, the Mad Berserker goes into a berserk. This means he is attacking with an Effect rating of 4. His least successful contest roll would be a 7 (everybody’s least successful contest roll); the chart says that a 7 means .33 checks delivered. So this foaming-mouthed chap multiplies 4 by .33 and ends up with 2 checks delivered. Even his least successful roll isn’t too shabby. If he had a contest roll of 10, he would multiply 4 by 1.66 and deliver 7 checks. A good roll by the berserker could put an average opponent out in one go.

	But consider further. If the ~~berserker~~ rolls a 1, he would multiply 4 by -2, meaning that he delivered -8 checks, or delivered 8 checks to himself. Odds are he’s out of the fight with one bad round. It’s easy to get into trouble by blindly charging and going full tilt. This, then, is the essence of tactics in SAMSARA. A larger potential to deliver checks top your opponent is always a larger potential to do the same to yourself.		But consider further. If the Berserker rolls a 1, he would multiply 4 by -2, meaning that he delivered -8 checks, or delivered 8 checks to himself. Odds are he’s out of the fight with one bad round. It’s easy to get into trouble by blindly charging and going full tilt. This, then, is the essence of tactics in SAMSARA. A larger potential to deliver checks top your opponent is always a larger potential to do the same to yourself.

	Because physical combat is easy to visualize, the tactics are described in terms appropriate to that sort of contest. But they should not be restricted to combat. The system is designed to make other sorts of contests as interesting and involving as fights and so tactics apply in these spheres too. There is a difference between one actor attempting to persuade the guard to let him pass by speaking reasonably and logically (Effect rating 1) and another yelling and trying to browbeat the poor fellow (Effect rating 3 or 4). One could try to solve ~~“the~~ Puzzle of the Ancients” by sitting and patiently trying to work it (Effect rating 1) or by throwing your whole being into it, neither eating nor sleeping until you solve this enigma (Effect rating 4).		Because physical combat is easy to visualize, the tactics are described in terms appropriate to that sort of contest. But they should not be restricted to combat. The system is designed to make other sorts of contests as interesting and involving as fights and so tactics apply in these spheres too. There is a difference between one actor attempting to persuade the guard to let him pass by speaking reasonably and logically (Effect rating 1) and another yelling and trying to browbeat the poor fellow (Effect rating 3 or 4). One could try to solve “The Puzzle of the Ancients” by sitting and patiently trying to work it (Effect rating 1) or by throwing your whole being into it, neither eating nor sleeping until you solve this enigma (Effect rating 4).

	===Variation: Weapons===		===Variation: Weapons===
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	If you stress tactics, then base the Effect rating on the tactic and then -1 for smaller/less deadly weapons and +1 for larger/more deadly weapons. If you stress weapons, then base the Effect rating on the weapon and -1 for a defensive/conservative tactic and +1 for a more aggressive tactic.		If you stress tactics, then base the Effect rating on the tactic and then -1 for smaller/less deadly weapons and +1 for larger/more deadly weapons. If you stress weapons, then base the Effect rating on the weapon and -1 for a defensive/conservative tactic and +1 for a more aggressive tactic.

	Thus, if you focus on tactics and you ~~that mad berserker~~ get into a fight with only a dagger, the Effect might be: 4 (from tactics) -1 (small weapon) = 3. If you want to focus on weapons, then the Effect rating would be: 1 (dagger) + 1 (aggressive tactics) = 2. The games’ focus will make a difference.		Thus, if you focus on tactics and you get the Mad Berserker into a fight with only a dagger, the Effect might be: 4 (from tactics) -1 (small weapon) = 3. If you want to focus on weapons, then the Effect rating would be: 1 (dagger) + 1 (aggressive tactics) = 2. The games’ focus will make a difference.

	Please recall that a minimum of 1 check must be delivered to either the protagonist or the antagonist, so Effect ratings below 1 are not possible. See the next section for more on this principle.		Please recall that a minimum of 1 check must be delivered to either the protagonist or the antagonist, so Effect ratings below 1 are not possible. See the next section for more on this principle.

	==Something Always Happens==		==Something Always Happens==
	This is a principle of design for SAMSARA. Notice that there is no Contest Roll that results in zero checks being delivered. Whenever an actor takes action in a contest, something happens. Good or bad. Minor or major. But something always happens. This might be considered the ultimate tactical choice: action entails risk.		This is a principle of design for SAMSARA. Notice that there is no Contest Roll that results in zero checks being delivered. Whenever an actor takes action in a contest, something happens. Good or bad. Minor or major. But something always happens. This might be considered the ultimate tactical choice: <i>action entails risk.</i>

	This should probably be true in the narrative sense as well. This is ultimately up to the GM and the players, but “whiffing” is ~~generally~~ a very dull result. If an actor is failing in an attempt to do something (i.e. is delivering checks to himself), there should be some reason. Yang the Brute doesn’t just miss—he’s a nasty character, so that when he fails to hurt Essence of Jade, it is because the wily old hermit is leaping and dodging and stuffing eating utensils into his nasal orifice. Essence, the gong fu monk, is super-cool, so when he fails in his attack on Yang, it’s because he is forced to knock out one of Yang’s cronies or his staff breaks on Yang’s hard head. Or something.		This should probably be true in the narrative sense as well. This issue is ultimately up to the GM and the players, but “whiffing” is usually a very dull result. If an actor is failing in an attempt to do something (i.e. is delivering checks to himself), there should be some reason. Yang the Brute doesn’t just miss—he’s a nasty, bad-ass character, so that when he fails to hurt Essence of Jade, it is because the wily old hermit is leaping and dodging and stuffing eating utensils into his nasal orifice. Essence, the gong fu monk, is super-cool, so when he fails in his attack on Yang, it’s because he is forced to knock out one of Yang’s cronies or his staff breaks on Yang’s hard head. Or something.

	==Simple Contests==		==Simple Contests==
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	A simple failure might be very close to a success and leave the field open to trying again, perhaps. While a spectacular failure means something just plain horrendous has happened. If a character is trying to sneak past some guards and rolls a simple failure, he might have stepped on a twig and alerted the guard nearest him. He’s still got options: he might knife the guard and continue, for example. A spectacular failure, however, means that he snagged a trip-wire or the spot-light just fell full frontal on his sad face. And 20 guys are training their weapons on him now. He’s still got options, but not very good ones.		A simple failure might be very close to a success and leave the field open to trying again, perhaps. While a spectacular failure means something just plain horrendous has happened. If a character is trying to sneak past some guards and rolls a simple failure, he might have stepped on a twig and alerted the guard nearest him. He’s still got options: he might knife the guard and continue, for example. A spectacular failure, however, means that he snagged a trip-wire or the spot-light just fell full frontal on his sad face. And 20 guys are training their weapons on him now. He’s still got options, but not very good ones.

	If your game involves ultra-mundane abilities which a character cannot automatically use, such as magic or psychic powers, using the Simple Contest rules most of the time might be in order. Thus the character might have to roll a Simple Contest against the power level of his spell: success means it works and failure means it doesn’t, with the possibility of extreme successes and failures keeping things interesting. See the suggestions in Appendix A.		If your game involves [[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|ultra-mundane abilities]] which a character cannot automatically use, such as magic or psychic powers, using the Simple Contest rules most of the time might be in order. Thus the character might have to roll a Simple Contest against the power level of his spell: success means it works and failure means it doesn’t, with the possibility of extreme successes and failures keeping things interesting. See the suggestions in [[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|Appendix A - Ultramundane Abilities]].

	==Ending the Contest==		==Ending the Contest==

209.139.218.179: /* Variation: Switch the Bones */

2005-05-11T20:19:13Z

Variation: Switch the Bones

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:19, 11 May 2005
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	===Variation: Switch the Bones===		===Variation: Switch the Bones===
	By changing the type and number of dice rolled, one can change the probabilities of certain result and thus the ~~“fell”~~ of the game.		By changing the type and number of dice rolled, one can change the probabilities of certain result and thus the “feel” of the game.

	*One could roll 2d6 instead of 1d12. This would keep the same range of possible outcomes, more-or-less, but due to the shift in probability distribution from flat to bell-curved (well, triangular, actually), the results will tend more toward the middle, with a roll of 7 as the most likely outcome. The effect of this variation would be to favor the more capable actors in a contest as the random factor of the die will be diminished. This would make for a grittier game, with less wild occurrences. On the other hand, that also means that the most likely raw outcome is a success, unless you shift the results table down.		*One could roll 2d6 instead of 1d12. This would keep the same range of possible outcomes, more-or-less, but due to the shift in probability distribution from flat to bell-curved (well, triangular, actually), the results will tend more toward the middle, with a roll of 7 as the most likely outcome. The effect of this variation would be to favor the more capable actors in a contest as the random factor of the die will be diminished. This would make for a grittier game, with less wild occurrences. On the other hand, that also means that the most likely raw outcome is a success, unless you shift the results table down.

The Fiendish Dr. Samsara: /* Ending the Contest */ Added link to new page

2005-05-07T00:59:51Z

Ending the Contest: Added link to new page

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:59, 7 May 2005
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	Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.		Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.


	1.[[Samsara:Fundamentals\|Fundamentals]]		1.[[Samsara:Fundamentals\|Fundamentals]]
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	9.[[Samsara:Samsara points\|Samsara Points]]		9.[[Samsara:Samsara points\|Samsara Points]]

	10.[[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|Appendix A--Ultramundane Abilities]]		10.[[Samsara:Long term play\|Long Term Play]]

			11.[[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|Appendix A - Ultramundane Abilities]]

The Fiendish Dr. Samsara: /* Tactics and Effect Ratings */Tables cleaned up

2005-05-06T02:22:05Z

Tactics and Effect Ratings: Tables cleaned up

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:22, 6 May 2005
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	Don’t be frightened of the fractions in the Checks column. They are there to provide a bit of variety in the form of methods and weapons. This is where the abstract nature of contests gets a bit more specific. The manner in which an actor pursues his goals in a contest affects his possible results. The broad term for this is tactics and tactics all have an Effect rating. The Effect rating of the tactic employed is multiplied by the amount in the checks column (always round up the final result). The basic range of Effects and calculated checks is provided in a chart in the back for the math-shy (refer to Appendix B). If you want to ignore this aspect of the game, do so. Every action would map onto the Success Descriptors like so:		Don’t be frightened of the fractions in the Checks column. They are there to provide a bit of variety in the form of methods and weapons. This is where the abstract nature of contests gets a bit more specific. The manner in which an actor pursues his goals in a contest affects his possible results. The broad term for this is tactics and tactics all have an Effect rating. The Effect rating of the tactic employed is multiplied by the amount in the checks column (always round up the final result). The basic range of Effects and calculated checks is provided in a chart in the back for the math-shy (refer to Appendix B). If you want to ignore this aspect of the game, do so. Every action would map onto the Success Descriptors like so:

	*Spectacular Failure -3 Checks
	*Full Failure -2 Checks		<table border=1 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=3>
	*Simple Failure -1 Check		<tr>
	*Simple Success 1 Check		<td>Spectacular Failure</td>
	*Full Success 2 Checks		<td>-3 Checks</td></tr>
	*Spectacular Success 3 Checks		<tr>
			<td>Full Failure</td>
			<td>-2 Checks</td></tr>
			<tr>
			<td>Simple Failure</td>
			<td>-1 Check</td></tr>
			<tr>
			<td>Simple Success</td>
			<td>1 Check</td></tr>
			<tr>
			<td>Full Success</td>
			<td>2 Checks</td></tr>
			<tr>
			<td>Spectacular Success</td>
			<td>3 Checks</td></tr></table>


	A core idea in tactics is strengths and weaknesses. Any tactic has a positive and a negative, represented by greater or lesser potential checks delivered. A standard attempt at something has an Effect rating of 1, which is to say, that you read the results of the checks delivered straight off the chart. But an actor may attempt a more aggressive, powerful, or fool-hearty action and so take a higher Effect rating. If he succeeds in delivering checks to his opponent, the number of checks will be multiplied by the effect rating and so increased. However, if he fails and delivers checks to himself, those will also be increased.		A core idea in tactics is strengths and weaknesses. Any tactic has a positive and a negative, represented by greater or lesser potential checks delivered. A standard attempt at something has an Effect rating of 1, which is to say, that you read the results of the checks delivered straight off the chart. But an actor may attempt a more aggressive, powerful, or fool-hearty action and so take a higher Effect rating. If he succeeds in delivering checks to his opponent, the number of checks will be multiplied by the effect rating and so increased. However, if he fails and delivers checks to himself, those will also be increased.

	<i>Sample ~~descriptors of tactic~~</i> <i>Effect ~~rating~~</i>
	*Fools ~~rush in~~ 4		<table border=1 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=3>
	*Overbearing 3		<tr>
	*Charge 2		<td>Sample Tactic Descriptor</td>
	*Standard ~~(default)~~ 1		<td>Effect Rating</td></tr>
			<tr>
			<td>Fools Rush In</td>
			<td>4</td></tr>
			<tr>
			<td>Overbearing</td>
			<td>3</td></tr>
			<tr>
			<td>Charge</td>
			<td>2</td></tr>
			<tr>
			<td>Standard</td>
			<td>1</td></tr></table>


	Thus, for example, the mad berserker goes into a berserk. This means he is attacking with an Effect rating of 4. His least successful contest roll would be a 7 (everybody’s least successful contest roll); the chart says that a 7 means .33 checks delivered. So this foaming-mouthed chap multiplies 4 by .33 and ends up with 2 checks delivered. Even his least successful roll isn’t too shabby. If he had a contest roll of 10, he would multiply 4 by 1.66 and deliver 7 checks. A good roll by the berserker could put an average opponent out in one go.		Thus, for example, the mad berserker goes into a berserk. This means he is attacking with an Effect rating of 4. His least successful contest roll would be a 7 (everybody’s least successful contest roll); the chart says that a 7 means .33 checks delivered. So this foaming-mouthed chap multiplies 4 by .33 and ends up with 2 checks delivered. Even his least successful roll isn’t too shabby. If he had a contest roll of 10, he would multiply 4 by 1.66 and deliver 7 checks. A good roll by the berserker could put an average opponent out in one go.

The Fiendish Dr. Samsara: /* The Contest Roll */Contest Roll table cleaned up some

2005-05-06T02:16:00Z

The Contest Roll: Contest Roll table cleaned up some

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 The Contest roll is the result of the protagonist’s modifiers – antagonist’s modifiers + d12
-<b>[Lousy table to be replaced with actual table]</b>
+<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cell"border-collapse:collapse;border:none">
 Don’t worry about the Success Descriptors right now (see Simple Contests for that).   Let’s take the first two columns first.

The Fiendish Dr. Samsara at 18:45, 5 May 2005

2005-05-05T18:45:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 5 May 2005
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	Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.		Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.

			1.[[Samsara:Fundamentals\|Fundamentals]]

			2.[[Samsara:Contests\|Contests]]

			3.[[Samsara:Modifiers\|Modifiers and the Character]]

			4.[[Samsara:Attributes\|Attributes]]

			5.[[Samsara:Abilities\|Abilities]]

			6.[[Samsara:Motives\|Motives]]

			7.[[Samsara:Checks\|Checks]]

			8.[[Samsara:Character generation\|Character Generation]]

			9.[[Samsara:Samsara points\|Samsara Points]]

			10.[[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|Appendix A--Ultramundane Abilities]]

The Fiendish Dr. Samsara at 18:38, 5 May 2005

2005-05-05T18:38:48Z

Show changes

The Fiendish Dr. Samsara at 18:30, 5 May 2005

2005-05-05T18:30:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:30, 5 May 2005
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	==The Contest Roll==		==The Contest Roll==
	The Contest roll is the result of the protagonist’s modifiers – antagonist’s modifiers + d12		The Contest roll is the result of the protagonist’s modifiers – antagonist’s modifiers + d12

			Contest Checks Success
			Roll Delivered Descriptor
			-2 -3 Spectacular Failure
			-1 -2.66
			0 -2.33
			1 -2 Full Failure
			2 -1.66
			3 -1.33
			4 -1 Simple Failure
			5 -.66
			6 -.33
			7 .33 Simple Success
			8 .66
			9 1
			10 1.33 Full Success
			11 1.66
			12 2
			13 2.33 Spectacular Success
			14 2.66
			15 3

			<b>[Lousy table to be replaced with actual table]</b>

			Don’t worry about the Success Descriptors right now (see Simple Contests for that). Let’s take the first two columns first.

			==Extrapolating the Contest Roll==
			Recall that the Contest Roll is a sum of modifiers and a d12. This means that the result could well be above 15 or below -2, depending upon the stature of the modifiers used in the game. That’s okay since it is fairly easy to extrapolate results: each step increases or decreases by .33. So a Contest Roll of -3 would deliver -3.33 checks, while a roll of 20 would deliver a staggering 4.66 checks.

			===Variation: Switch the Bones===
			By changing the type and number of dice rolled, one can change the probabilities of certain result and thus the “fell” of the game.

			*One could roll 2d6 instead of 1d12. This would keep the same range of possible outcomes, more-or-less, but due to the shift in probability distribution from flat to bell-curved (well, triangular, actually), the results will tend more toward the middle, with a roll of 7 as the most likely outcome. The effect of this variation would be to favor the more capable actors in a contest as the random factor of the die will be diminished. This would make for a grittier game, with less wild occurrences. On the other hand, that also means that the most likely raw outcome is a success, unless you shift the results table down.

			*By rolling 2d8, one would also tend to reduce randomness and favor the more capable, but with a greater possible range of outcomes. This would somewhat counter-act the first effect and allow a greater possibility for wild, unexpected occurrences. This variation is then a mix between grittier and wilder. If you use this variation, you might want to shift the results of the contest roll by two places since the average roll will be a 9. So 9 should result in .25 checks, 10 in .5, and so on. If you don’t do this, then everybody will start doing very much better in contests. Which is fine if that’s what you want.

			*3d6 just increases the variation from above: an even wider range of possible outcomes with a much more pronounced probability curve (a real curve in this case). Again, you might want to shift the results of the contest roll as the most likely result of 3d6 is a 10 or 11.

			==Tactics and Effect Ratings==
			Don’t be frightened of the fractions in the Checks column. They are there to provide a bit of variety in the form of methods and weapons. This is where the abstract nature of contests gets a bit more specific. The manner in which an actor pursues his goals in a contest affects his possible results. The broad term for this is tactics and tactics all have an Effect rating. The Effect rating of the tactic employed is multiplied by the amount in the checks column (always round up the final result). The basic range of Effects and calculated checks is provided in a chart in the back for the math-shy (refer to Appendix B). If you want to ignore this aspect of the game, do so. Every action would map onto the Success Descriptors like so:

			Spectacular Failure -3 Checks

			Full Failure -2 Checks

			Simple Failure -1 Check

			Simple Success 1 Check

			Full Success 2 Checks

			Spectacular Success 3 Checks


			A core idea in tactics is strengths and weaknesses. Any tactic has a positive and a negative, represented by greater or lesser potential checks delivered. A standard attempt at something has an Effect rating of 1, which is to say, that you read the results of the checks delivered straight off the chart. But an actor may attempt a more aggressive, powerful, or fool-hearty action and so take a higher Effect rating. If he succeeds in delivering checks to his opponent, the number of checks will be multiplied by the effect rating and so increased. However, if he fails and delivers checks to himself, those will also be increased.

			Sample descriptors of tactic Effect rating

			Fools rush in 4

			Overbearing 3

			Charge 2

			Standard (default) 1

			Thus, for example, the mad berserker goes into a berserk. This means he is attacking with an Effect rating of 4. His least successful contest roll would be a 7 (everybody’s least successful contest roll); the chart says that a 7 means .33 checks delivered. So this foaming-mouthed chap multiplies 4 by .33 and ends up with 2 checks delivered. Even his least successful roll isn’t too shabby. If he had a contest roll of 10, he would multiply 4 by 1.66 and deliver 7 checks. A good roll by the berserker could put an average opponent out in one go.

			But consider further. If the berserker rolls a 1, he would multiply 4 by -2, meaning that he delivered -8 checks, or delivered 8 checks to himself. Odds are he’s out of the fight with one bad round. It’s easy to get into trouble by blindly charging and going full tilt. This, then, is the essence of tactics in SAMSARA. A larger potential to deliver checks top your opponent is always a larger potential to do the same to yourself.

The Fiendish Dr. Samsara at 02:41, 5 May 2005

2005-05-05T02:41:39Z

New page

=2. Contests=
==Full Contest Resolution==
However a contest is conceived in story-terms, it plays out the same way mechanically: the protagonist adds up his relevant modifiers, subtracts the antagonist’s relevant modifiers, and adds that to the roll of a single, d12. That number that results is compared to the chart below. A total of 7 or greater results in checks beings delivered to the opponent. A total of 6 or less results in checks being delivered to the protagonist.

This means that an actor can, in some sense, hurt himself by acting just as he could hurt his opponent. An action taken in a contest is a gamble: do you win or lose? Move closer to success or failure? This means that the basic roll is not a “to hit” roll, as is more usually seen in RPGs. Rolling low doesn’t mean that you missed. It means that you swung your sword and it was parried and now you’re a little off-balance. Or you hurt your wrist. Or maybe that your execution was perfect, but suddenly your opponent’s man-servant threw himself in front of you. It means something—anything—but always something more interesting than “you missed”.

Contests are goal-oriented, rather than task-oriented and each roll of the die represents an attempt to achieve the actor’s goal. <b>SAMSARA’s</b> system of contest resolution is thus abstract, rather than action-specific. How that goal is furthered or hindered, achieved or not, must be interpreted from the die result. A high result means that the actor has come closer to achieving his goal, while a low result means that his attempt has been hampered. That is all it means, but it means that. The specifics of those meanings must be brought out be player and GM to suit the narrative style and needs of the story being told.

==Determining the Actor’s Modifier==
<pre>
1. Add together the two most relevant attributes
2. Add any relevant abilities
3. Add/subtract any relevant motives
4. Subtract temporary checks received in this contest
5. Subtract severe checks in this sphere of action
6. GM applies any relevant situation modifiers
</pre>

==The Contest Roll==
The Contest roll is the result of the protagonist’s modifiers – antagonist’s modifiers + d12

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:46, 15 October 2005
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	Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.		Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.


			[[Samsara:Main Page\|Main Page]]

	1.[[Samsara:Fundamentals\|Fundamentals]]		1.[[Samsara:Fundamentals\|Fundamentals]]
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	10.[[Samsara:Long term play\|Long Term Play]]		10.[[Samsara:Long term play\|Long Term Play]]

	11.[[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|Appendix A - Ultramundane Abilities]]		11.[[Samsara:Examples of play\|Examples of Play]]

			12.[[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|Appendix A - Ultramundane Abilities]]

			13.[[Samsara:Settings\|Appendix B – Settings]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 5 May 2005
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	Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.		Note that if an actor enters contest with a modifier of 0, it will take only 6 checks to put him out. However, if he enters with a modifier of +10, it will take 16 checks to put him out. It pays to be the best. And to choose the sorts of contests in which one is skilled.

			1.[[Samsara:Fundamentals\|Fundamentals]]

			2.[[Samsara:Contests\|Contests]]

			3.[[Samsara:Modifiers\|Modifiers and the Character]]

			4.[[Samsara:Attributes\|Attributes]]

			5.[[Samsara:Abilities\|Abilities]]

			6.[[Samsara:Motives\|Motives]]

			7.[[Samsara:Checks\|Checks]]

			8.[[Samsara:Character generation\|Character Generation]]

			9.[[Samsara:Samsara points\|Samsara Points]]

			10.[[Samsara:Ultramundane abilities\|Appendix A--Ultramundane Abilities]]