D&D 2E Bend bars/lift gates or strength check?

[SonOfFeanor]

Besides attempting to bend bars or lift a gate, you can use bend bars/lift gates to determine “a similar feat of enormous strength.” How does that differ from a strength check (rolling 1d20 and trying to get less than or equal to your Str. score)? Is a strength check more for when the task is not an “enormous” feat of strength?

Btw, I tried registering at dragonsfoot but an admin had to approve me. That was several days ago and I haven't been approved yet. Thank you EN World for allowing me to register so quickly (like every other website does).

Thanks!

 

[Alzrius]

Is a strength check more for when the task is not an “enormous” feat of strength?

That's my understanding of it. I'd use a Strength check for something like pulling up someone tied to a rope and dangling over the edge of a cliff, or for an opposed roll like if you want to shove open a door that someone is bracing, but for something like barreling through a series of obstacles in your way when you're chasing someone...


...then I'd go for a bend bars/lift gates roll.

 

[Lanefan]

Besides attempting to bend bars or lift a gate, you can use bend bars/lift gates to determine “a similar feat of enormous strength.” How does that differ from a strength check (rolling 1d20 and trying to get less than or equal to your Str. score)? Is a strength check more for when the task is not an “enormous” feat of strength?

That's about how I've always handled it, yes; also if for whatever unusual reason I want the higher granularity of a d% roll rather than d20.

Bars-gates gives much lower odds of success for most characters.

Btw, I tried registering at dragonsfoot but an admin had to approve me.

D-foot is a great site but unfortunately submissions and registrations can and do either take ages for approval or disappear entirely. I suspect those who run it are doing so as a sidelight, in contrast with here where the site owner and a few others make the site their first priority.

 

[darjr]

I think the above would give you my preference.

And yes, bend bars is for “hard” strength checks and lift gates for “easier” ones.

 

[SonOfFeanor]

Good, glad I was thinking correctly about that. Good examples, too.

 

[SonOfFeanor]

That's about how I've always handled it, yes; also if for whatever unusual reason I want the higher granularity of a d% roll rather than d20.

Bars-gates gives much lower odds of success for most characters.

Wow, you’re right. An 18 Str. gives you a 16% chance to bend bars/lift gates, but if doing a strength check, it’s 90%. I guess that’s why the former is for feats of enormous strength!

 

[SonOfFeanor]

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I think the above would give you my preference.

Hahaha I love it man! That’s great!

 

[ilgatto]

Although I could be wrong, I don't think there is such a thing as a "strength check" in AD&D 2E. I have found that the phenomenon is mentioned twice in the PHB/DMG (under "Jogging and Running" and "Swimming" to be precise) and it is basically used to see how long a character can keep up what he/she's doing. There is some blurb in the PHBOR series about "opposed strength checks", which are largely used to resolve who wins when strength is involved.

I would therefore argue that a character must pass a "Bend Bars/Lift Gates" check for "feats of enormous strength" (such as bending a bar or lifting a gate) and that a "strength check" can be used for acts that involve strength in general. Using BB/LG checks whenever great strength is required has the added advantages of limiting chances of success, generating a sense of achievement when one is passed, and making very strong characters the ones to go to for "feats of enormous strength" - as opposed to just anyone. I would also argue that allowing PCs to make "ability score checks" (with their considerable chances of success because they are PCs) has a good chance of them developing a disregard for dangerous situations because they "will get out of it anyway". It is one of the things I have against the rules for Non-Weapon Proficiencies as they were presented in the PHB before the 1995 revision (which weren't that good either, but that's another story).

ilgatto