Task difficulty target numbers.

[Sigtrygg]

When you run a game of MgT how many of you use the full range of target numbers for tasks?

Or do you find yourselves using 8+ rather a lot, 12+ occasionally and anything with a target number 6 or less as just about an automatic success so what is the point of rolling?

 

[Old timer]

Lately i have been asking players to roll 8+, 10+, 12+ etc instead of average, difficult, very difficult task etc. It seems to speed play up by just telling the player the number needed.

 

[sideranautae]

Lately i have been asking players to roll 8+, 10+, 12+ etc instead of average, difficult, very difficult task etc. It seems to speed play up by just telling the player the number needed.

Same here.

 

[Reynard]

I follow the book with the Difficulty level as part of the Task. Keeps the string standard.

 

[Sigtrygg]

But do you use ever 2 step division of target numbers or to you tend to stick to just a couple?

The reason for my question is that over at the Lift Off forums there have been a few people who have commented that a simplification of the task system for an introductory game may speed things up for beginners.

Let me quickly add that I doubt such a simplification will be adopted.

I know that personally I generally only ever use two target numbers, 8+ and 12+

Trying to estimate a difficulty as being 4+ or 6+ just seems too much hassle and not worth the effort.

 

[sideranautae]

But do you use ever 2 step division of target numbers or to you tend to stick to just a couple?

As I estimate % chance of success, I use whatever number fits that determination.

 

[Reynard]

For simplification, 8+ is THE simplified TN. Difficulty levels modify the base roll as do other penalties and bonuses instead of messing with the TN plus it may confuse people when calculating the Effect. Rather not teach newbies "8+ is the target number except when you roll 12+ or 6+ for other difficulties."

 

[Nerhesi]

But do you use ever 2 step division of target numbers or to you tend to stick to just a couple?

The reason for my question is that over at the Lift Off forums there have been a few people who have commented that a simplification of the task system for an introductory game may speed things up for beginners.

Let me quickly add that I doubt such a simplification will be adopted.

I know that personally I generally only ever use two target numbers, 8+ and 12+

Trying to estimate a difficulty as being 4+ or 6+ just seems too much hassle and not worth the effort.

Ive used 6+, 8+, 10+ consistently. 12+ around perhaps once or twice a sessions.

14+ I've used when players have a great but a crazy idea that is so difficult and out there, but I'm not flat out gonna say impossible for. I have used 14+ 3 times to date.

 

[dragoner]

I use the full spread, even the automatic success rolls, because I use effect as well from page 50 off of the core rules.

 

[Infojunky]

I play with a lot of Fog of War in that when I call for a task number I want the players to answer how much they beat or missed 8+. I never give out exact numbers as i use a lot of situational dms as well as the ones in the book. Now i am not saying that my players don't figure out what they need on repeated rolls, just the math is easier with 8+ than remembering the specifics of each task then modifying from there, in fact historically this was one of the problems I had with MegaTraveller always slowing down a game to figure out what the task meant.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I just say what the difficulty is. The players figure out how well they rolled or not. We don't talk in numbers when role-playing. We don't say "+2" and "close range modifier", etc. Combat is done in real-time. Not submitted as a tax form.