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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Shaman" data-source="post: 2051097" data-attributes="member: 26473">For my Modern military PbP game I'm using Cool checks, adapted from Rich Redman’s article <a href="http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20modern/fb/20030624a" target="_blank">Cool under Fire</a> from the “Notes from the Bunker” series on WotC's website.So far it's worked out quite well, IMO, at simulating what happens to the NPCs on the battlefield - some get stunned or shaken, others bolt or cower.I could simply decide which NPCs react certain ways, but I like the random element to it as well - it's played a significant and somewhat surprising role in both of the combat encounters so far. That's not to say that I leave it all to chance - one of the legionnaires has yet to fire his rifle due to nervousness, something I determined was part of his personality before the paratroopers ever jumped out the door. The commander of the fellaghas (insurgents) will base his decisions on how willing he is to press the attack based on my read of the combat, not dice rolls - on the other hand, the rank-and-file fellaghas may run, hide, or advance boldly depending on the roll of the dice.I feel that if I decide everything that happens then why have the heroes roll for anything? I might as well be writing a story and sharing it with the players instead of letting the story play out and simply describing the action. The Cool checks work well with the latter approach so far.</blockquote>

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