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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Helpful NPC Thom" data-source="post: 8320893" data-attributes="member: 7031378">I believe characters should be able to help each other in a similar vein to how you've described the Modiphus system. This need not require specific mechanics, but instead can simply be treated as an application of the existing Help mechanic. I likewise believe in expanding the social system slightly with additional mechanics. Not to the level of systems like Burning Wheel's Duel of Wits, but something not entirely unlike 4e's skill challenge system: during important social scenes, I'll typically call for multiple skill checks, with the players needing X number of successes prior to X number of failures, and they can use a variety of skills and ability score combinations to achieve this.In addition to this, I almost always use fail forward mechanics, where a PC might "fail" a skill check but still succeed with a cost, compromise, or complication. Ample use of the inspiration mechanic encourages roleplay and social contributions, and I often treat it like Fate does with Compels, rewarding players for playing their traits and flaws without needing any sort of roll whatsoever.On top of this (boy, this is getting lengthy), I rarely use social rolls for anything outside of determining initial disposition. An example might be: I call for a Persuasion check to determine how amenable an NPC is to your demands, then, depending on the roll, the players negotiate with him to get what they want.Finally, it's a matter of skillful DMing, not that I'm a master or anything like that. Knowing when to call for a roll and when to let the dice rest is part of the learning curve for DMing. Sometimes failure is on the line, and a Persuasion or Intimidation check is entirely sensible. The caveat is balancing this out with roleplaying and not invoking the mechanics. If you call for too many checks, the players whose skills/ability scores don't align with strong social contributions feel left out. If you call for too few checks, the players who have invested heavily in skills/ability scores for social contributions feel like they've wasted their resources.</blockquote>

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