Topic: New Mechanic - Upgrade/Downgrade

[Grimsouled]

I came up with this new mechanic and wanted to see what people thought. The only use I've considered it for so far is when characters spend a lot of time crafting and get tired/inattentive.

UPGRADE/DOWNGRADE A ROLL
An upgraded or downgraded roll has it's open-ended numbers modified. An upgrade is an improvement, decreasing both the low and high open-ended chance by the number of upgrades applied. A downgrade is a penalty, increasing both the low and high open-ended chance by the number of downgrades applied. For example, a roll that is upgraded twice puts the low OE at 01-03 and the high OE at 94-00. Conversely, a roll that is downgraded twice puts the low OE at 01-07 and the high OE at 98-00.

[jdale]

It's a talent/flaw in RMFRP Character Law.

Increasing those ranges is an advantage when open-ended rolls are needed for success. Everything outside that range is going to be a failure anyway. It's a disadvantage when you are very likely to succeed.

[MisterK]

It's a talent/flaw in RMFRP Character Law.

Increasing those ranges is an advantage when open-ended rolls are needed for success. Everything outside that range is going to be a failure anyway. It's a disadvantage when you are very likely to succeed.

Not exactly, since the ranges are modified symmetrically - when the HOE range increases, the LOE range *decreases* at the same time. So the increase is a net bonus (you're more likely to score a HOE, but less likely to score a LOE) while a decrease is a net malus (reverse).

In addition, I was under the impression that the mechanism in the OP was supposed to be situational instead of character-specific: in specific conditions, *everyone* benefits from it.

[jdale]

It's a talent/flaw in RMFRP Character Law.

Increasing those ranges is an advantage when open-ended rolls are needed for success. Everything outside that range is going to be a failure anyway. It's a disadvantage when you are very likely to succeed.

Not exactly, since the ranges are modified symmetrically - when the HOE range increases, the LOE range *decreases* at the same time. So the increase is a net bonus (you're more likely to score a HOE, but less likely to score a LOE) while a decrease is a net malus (reverse).

Right, but increasing the LOE roll doesn't make much difference when you were going to fail on a roll of <95 anyway. While the HOE could turn a 94 from a failure to a success.

Likewise, increasing the HOE range doesn't make much difference when you were already going to succeed on 6+. But the extended LOE might convert that roll of 7 to a failure.

In addition, I was under the impression that the mechanism in the OP was supposed to be situational instead of character-specific: in specific conditions, *everyone* benefits from it.

The talent/flaw isn't quite the same as what the OP suggested, it's just the closest existing mechanic.

[MisterK]

Right, but increasing the LOE roll doesn't make much difference when you were going to fail on a roll of <95 anyway. While the HOE could turn a 94 from a failure to a success.

Likewise, increasing the HOE range doesn't make much difference when you were already going to succeed on 6+. But the extended LOE might convert that roll of 7 to a failure.

You're right. Except, of course, for attack rolls where there is a direct fumble chance, which could also be modified.