I love PDQ. At least, 90% of it. The 'freeform' chargen with qualities instead of stats. The building of a total "MOD" for the 2d6+MOD roll by choosing which qualities apply. Everything I want in a TTRPG.
But it does have one thing I hate...and that's (no, not the death spiral ironically) -- the opposing rolls for the GM. I'd tinkered around a bit in my mind about using more TN style, but I struggle to find consistency in TNs.
I've also been reading a lot of PbtA stuff, bought Blightburg which looks like a lot of fun. I love the partial success (7-9) system, and the theory of GM moves used in those situations instead of having the NPC attack roll vs PC attack roll to resolve the "hit" system. No GM rolls necessary is the goal.
PbtA and PDQ are both 2d6 based. They're also pretty standard on the advantage/disadvantage scale, so they're pretty similar - enough for me to think how to mash them together.
However, PDQ qualities generally run +2, and at least in PDQ are meant to stack a little where there's plausible overlap. +4 in one quality with a +2 (+6 total) isn't unheard of. And that's before an advantage of 3d6 drop low type of roll. And theoretically it COULD go higher, but I'm putting a mental cap at +6 for the most "common" PDQ vs a +2/3 for PbtA presuming a base +1-2 via ability and random +1 forwards or playbook style moves that could toss another +1.
Obviously I'd need to extend the ranges a bit or figure something out. In a 2d6 system, a +1 can be a heck of a boon...and PDQ throws out +2s regularly. I guess theoretically changing to d8s or d10s would probably keep the curve similar enough...but I'm just not enough of a math guy today to figure it out.
And thus, I ask for thoughts and help from the board. Thanks in advance.
But it does have one thing I hate...and that's (no, not the death spiral ironically) -- the opposing rolls for the GM. I'd tinkered around a bit in my mind about using more TN style, but I struggle to find consistency in TNs.
I've also been reading a lot of PbtA stuff, bought Blightburg which looks like a lot of fun. I love the partial success (7-9) system, and the theory of GM moves used in those situations instead of having the NPC attack roll vs PC attack roll to resolve the "hit" system. No GM rolls necessary is the goal.
PbtA and PDQ are both 2d6 based. They're also pretty standard on the advantage/disadvantage scale, so they're pretty similar - enough for me to think how to mash them together.
However, PDQ qualities generally run +2, and at least in PDQ are meant to stack a little where there's plausible overlap. +4 in one quality with a +2 (+6 total) isn't unheard of. And that's before an advantage of 3d6 drop low type of roll. And theoretically it COULD go higher, but I'm putting a mental cap at +6 for the most "common" PDQ vs a +2/3 for PbtA presuming a base +1-2 via ability and random +1 forwards or playbook style moves that could toss another +1.
Obviously I'd need to extend the ranges a bit or figure something out. In a 2d6 system, a +1 can be a heck of a boon...and PDQ throws out +2s regularly. I guess theoretically changing to d8s or d10s would probably keep the curve similar enough...but I'm just not enough of a math guy today to figure it out.
And thus, I ask for thoughts and help from the board. Thanks in advance.
