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Message: <blockquote data-quote="AbdulAlhazred" data-source="post: 8145058" data-attributes="member: 82106">I think the 3e Diplomacy system is at least partly harking back to the classic D&D reaction subsystem. It COULD work as a version of that, although it doesn't seem like the PROCESS to use it as such was developed. That is, in 1e AD&D the reaction system is codified right into the encounter resolution process as a distinct step. The option 'parley' is specifically called out and flagged as a thing that players should consider, and if they opt for it they do so at a specific point in the initial phases of an encounter. 3.x doesn't call any of this out, so it is at best nascent.Classic D&D's reaction system worked, because it wasn't really a skill system, it was more of a 'world generation' system. There were no such things as 'reaction checks'. There was no point where the player called for a reaction role. At best they could ask for 'parley', or there were a few other specific points where it just got invoked (it was a factor in loyalty/morale, and also in hiring NPCs). Its effect was very clear, it generated a stance which the NPC involved would take. Everything from there was pure RP. The DM was expected to have some fictional explanation for whatever the reaction was. Sometimes DMs pre-rolled the check, or set a value for it, so it would be coherent with their existing setting design. That was acceptable too (well, who was going to argue... lol).</blockquote>