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Monte Cook On Fumble Mechanics
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<blockquote data-quote="sheadunne" data-source="post: 7695234" data-attributes="member: 27570"><p>I wanted to reply in greater detail but alas by 5 year old is fighting me on bed time right now. Let me just say a few quick things before running off.</p><p></p><p>For me, there's a difference between fumble and failure based on the way I use failure in my games. In games like D&D, there is no consequence of failure, unless specific to the mechanic being used (such as falling when making a climb check). There's certainly nothing wrong with narrating failure to introduce complications in the game, but the game isn't really designed that way (except for the skill challenge mechanics in 4e, maybe). Fumble seems to be an add on mechanic designed to introduce complications into the game, primarily for a specific character who fails. I don't think I've seen a D&D tack on fumble chart that incorporated fumble effects that went beyond the immediate character (for example, when narrating the fumble of the archer, the GM describes the creature dodging his attack and tearing down the sails creating a complication for the entire party). The effect is primarily attached to a specific character. A secondary effect of dropping the bow might mean that now it's harder for the characters to win the fight, it's just doesn't seem more complicated. There aren't more monsters. The character is for all intensive purposes fine and I assume he has other resources to bare on the encounter. He's not wounded in any meaningful way like twisting an ankle or breaking a finger (and wouldn't be with the D&D hp mechanic which doesn't have complications associated with taking damage). It's not clear on whether he has another bow or other equipment to use. Everything seems fine if not a little silly that an accomplished archer (assuming he is), would drop his bow*. It just doesn't feel complicated in any meaningful way to me. No one else is complicated as a result of his failure. It's not more difficult for them to fight or do other things. The scene hasn't changed at all. </p><p></p><p>*I image a scene where Legolas is on top of the elephant shooting away, rolls a one and drops his bow. Gimli laughs and then rolls a one himself and gets stepped on by the elephant. haha</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="sheadunne, post: 7695234, member: 27570"] I wanted to reply in greater detail but alas by 5 year old is fighting me on bed time right now. Let me just say a few quick things before running off. For me, there's a difference between fumble and failure based on the way I use failure in my games. In games like D&D, there is no consequence of failure, unless specific to the mechanic being used (such as falling when making a climb check). There's certainly nothing wrong with narrating failure to introduce complications in the game, but the game isn't really designed that way (except for the skill challenge mechanics in 4e, maybe). Fumble seems to be an add on mechanic designed to introduce complications into the game, primarily for a specific character who fails. I don't think I've seen a D&D tack on fumble chart that incorporated fumble effects that went beyond the immediate character (for example, when narrating the fumble of the archer, the GM describes the creature dodging his attack and tearing down the sails creating a complication for the entire party). The effect is primarily attached to a specific character. A secondary effect of dropping the bow might mean that now it's harder for the characters to win the fight, it's just doesn't seem more complicated. There aren't more monsters. The character is for all intensive purposes fine and I assume he has other resources to bare on the encounter. He's not wounded in any meaningful way like twisting an ankle or breaking a finger (and wouldn't be with the D&D hp mechanic which doesn't have complications associated with taking damage). It's not clear on whether he has another bow or other equipment to use. Everything seems fine if not a little silly that an accomplished archer (assuming he is), would drop his bow*. It just doesn't feel complicated in any meaningful way to me. No one else is complicated as a result of his failure. It's not more difficult for them to fight or do other things. The scene hasn't changed at all. *I image a scene where Legolas is on top of the elephant shooting away, rolls a one and drops his bow. Gimli laughs and then rolls a one himself and gets stepped on by the elephant. haha [/QUOTE]
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