So I'm re-reading the MERP 2nd edition (tha most awesomest rpg ever made thank you) and I'm stuck at p66-67: Encouters! So I get the point that when moving through the countryside, the GM may want to have a rule to help determine encounters, to make it unpredictable and exciting. But here is what I do not understand: "If the modified avoidance roll is greater than the modified activity roll, nothing happens". Great. So the PC want (probably, most of the time) to have a greater result on their roll than the GM's activity roll - so far so good. But when you look at the modifications on table ST-10, then why the hell does being a small group give a minus? Should it not be easier to avoid encounters with a small group? Same goes with sneaking, minus 50. So if you are a small group of hobbits or elves, sneaking, then according to these rules, you cannot possibly get a higher (greater) result than the GM!?
It totally doesn't make any sense. If the point/goal is to get a greater number than the GM's activity roll, to avoid being noticed/encounters, than surely these values are inverted?
Or have I misunderstood it somehow?
Please help me sort this out cause I want to use these rules or some set of good rules to settle this.