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Monte Cook On Fumble Mechanics
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<blockquote data-quote="CharlesRyan" data-source="post: 7695170" data-attributes="member: 5265"><p>Celebrim, thanks for your response. I think we're both on the same page in terms of the concepts; we differ on what we want to see happen in a game. And that's perfectly cool, of course.</p><p></p><p>Here's where I'll carry the conversation forward, though: You've drawn a bold line between "things that happen because the character screws up" and "GM whims that are completely arbitrary and unconnected to established events."</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I'd argue that there's a vast middle ground between your distinctions. In my experience in real life, no plan survives contact with the enemy, and while that's partially due to the enemy's unpredictable actions, and occaaaaasionally due to a screwup on the part of my team, it's usually some other factor in the situation.</p><p></p><p>I'll put my money where my mouth is: Based on your example, here are ten possible "on a 1" outcomes that are neither character incompetence nor "dragons out of the blue":</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Remember that rainstorm yesterday? Looks like your bowstring got wet--it's snapped.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">(Speaking of rain) It starts to rain. Everything gets a little bit harder.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You hit the orc. Unfortunatly, the damage is superficial--but the orc stumbles into your friend, who's knocked to the ground.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It turns out the orc is an unusually keen tactician (for an orc). He stares at you briefly from across the battlefield, then barks orders to his comrades. They all get a small bonus to their attacks for the rest of the encounter.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">As you planted your foot for the shot, it tangled in some roots. If you want to move, you'll lose a turn untangling.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">(Speaking of undergrowth) Holy cats! This brush is filled with stinging nettles! No damage, but the pain is super-distracting for the rest of the encounter!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Shaken by the unexpected arrow shot, the orcs move to a defensive posture. They all gain a bonus to their defense for a few rounds.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Apparently surprised by your shot, the orc shouts out that he surrenders. Genuine, or a ruse?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Surprise! Turns out there were two more orcs, just waiting for the right moment to jump into the fight. Your stray arrow shot flushed them from their hiding spot.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The ground is really unstable here. The cliff edge begins to crumble. (Or the dungeon floor begins to cave into the level below, or whatever.)</li> </ul><p></p><p>That's just off the top of my head. </p><p></p><p>Sticking strictly to character incompetence to explain all the ways the challenge can escalate strikes me as limiting.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CharlesRyan, post: 7695170, member: 5265"] Celebrim, thanks for your response. I think we're both on the same page in terms of the concepts; we differ on what we want to see happen in a game. And that's perfectly cool, of course. Here's where I'll carry the conversation forward, though: You've drawn a bold line between "things that happen because the character screws up" and "GM whims that are completely arbitrary and unconnected to established events." I'd argue that there's a vast middle ground between your distinctions. In my experience in real life, no plan survives contact with the enemy, and while that's partially due to the enemy's unpredictable actions, and occaaaaasionally due to a screwup on the part of my team, it's usually some other factor in the situation. I'll put my money where my mouth is: Based on your example, here are ten possible "on a 1" outcomes that are neither character incompetence nor "dragons out of the blue": [LIST] [*]Remember that rainstorm yesterday? Looks like your bowstring got wet--it's snapped. [*](Speaking of rain) It starts to rain. Everything gets a little bit harder. [*]You hit the orc. Unfortunatly, the damage is superficial--but the orc stumbles into your friend, who's knocked to the ground. [*]It turns out the orc is an unusually keen tactician (for an orc). He stares at you briefly from across the battlefield, then barks orders to his comrades. They all get a small bonus to their attacks for the rest of the encounter. [*]As you planted your foot for the shot, it tangled in some roots. If you want to move, you'll lose a turn untangling. [*](Speaking of undergrowth) Holy cats! This brush is filled with stinging nettles! No damage, but the pain is super-distracting for the rest of the encounter! [*]Shaken by the unexpected arrow shot, the orcs move to a defensive posture. They all gain a bonus to their defense for a few rounds. [*]Apparently surprised by your shot, the orc shouts out that he surrenders. Genuine, or a ruse? [*]Surprise! Turns out there were two more orcs, just waiting for the right moment to jump into the fight. Your stray arrow shot flushed them from their hiding spot. [*]The ground is really unstable here. The cliff edge begins to crumble. (Or the dungeon floor begins to cave into the level below, or whatever.) [/LIST] That's just off the top of my head. Sticking strictly to character incompetence to explain all the ways the challenge can escalate strikes me as limiting. [/QUOTE]
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