Binary Success vs Multiple Levels of Success

[rmcoen]

I do have to say that most GMs tend to take "fumble" as "chance to make the character look stupid/silly/incompetent". I hate that, and try not to do it (although I can't help myself sometimes, based on the mood of the evening). Last session I was proud of myself because I took a "fumble" roll of a nat1, and gave the character "success", but really was what you said there at the end: "gives you the outcome you thought you were desiring, but turns out you really didn't actually". They loved it!

 

[aramis erak]

For me, fumble equals failure plus complication, nothing more. "Incompetence on parade" isn't fun for most players.