A "Luck" system

[Magius del Cotto]

Browsing around various D20 boards recently, I came up with a rather interesting idea. I actually came up with the idea after reading a comparison between rolling a d20 and rolling 3d6 for skill checks, and it got me thinking. What about a system that would allow for dynamic luck?
Now, the premise of it is pretty simple, you roll 1d4 (for only results that stay within d20 standards), 1d6 (for two "well nigh impossible possibilities), or 1d8 (for two "really lucky/unlucky" rolls), with the result rolled determinine what you roll, using this table:

1- 1d20
2- 2d10
3- 3d6, lower DC by 2
4- 5d4
5- 1d10, no chance of critical success (also leave the DC alone)
6- 1d6, no chance of critical success and leave the DC alone
7- 1d10, halve the DC, Natural 10 is same as natural 20
8- 1d6, Multiply DC by 1/3, natural 6 = natural 20

So what do you guys think of this (admittedly unusual) system?

 

[Jeph]

Personally, I see no need for such a system, as the current one already incorperates luck. If it didn't, you wouldn't roll a die to determine affect, you'd just "take 10" on EVERYTHING. The addition of your system is both unneccesary and makes the game more die-intensive, something that d20 does *not* need.

However, you could potentially make a series of feats or spells that change the luck f a character. A good place to start is feat "The Dark One's Own Luck" from Wheel of Time. Basically, it is the luck domain power, for those of you that don't have the book.

-jeph

 

[Crothian]

Or you might want to take a look at the Fatespinner from T&B. Personally, the system we have is nice and simple. I think this might complicate it more.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

The big problem with this approach is that it usually doubles (and in some cases, sextuples) the number of dice rolled for each and every skill check. Skill checks can take quite a while even in the current system if they're used frequently (that's why there are rules for taking 10 and 20). This could dramatically increase the amount of time it takes to resolve activities like climbing etc.

And it does so without adding much to the game. Usually, if I want (or need) luck to be a factor, I roll my d20. If I don't, I try to take 10 (or 20 if possible).

 

[Magius del Cotto]

Well, now, that may or may not be true. Yes, I know it adds a lot of die to the game (not everyone has 5d4 lying around), but I'm not sure if it's impact would be minimal. Basically, what it comes down to is probability, or how "lucky" the character is. Some people aren't as lucky as others, and I think this would help represent the ebb and flow of a person's luck, if you chose to use it. As it stands now, every character is as lucky as the next guy.

 

[Jeph]

Actually, d20 characters might be verry lucky, or verry unlucky.

If they roll a bunch of numberes higher then 10, then they are lucky.

If they roll a bunch of numbers 10 or lower, then they are unlucky.j

Just as in real life, even if it seems like you are getting a huge dose of good or bad luck, it will all even out in the end.

The new system, if it is designed correctly, should produce exactly the same effects. So, there is literally no point to it. If balanced, it is essentially a more strenuous way of arriving at the same conclusion that a normal d20 roll would have.


-Jeph