Social "combat"system

[Nifft]

I've been thinking about this, and my (unused and heretofore un-written-down) mechanic would use Int as the stat for defense, and Wis as the stat for SocialHP.

Thus, you'd attack with Charisma, you defend with Intelligence, and you resist damage with Wisdom.

Also, I think it's quite hard to get someone to change his mind. On the other hand, it's quite easy to get someone to act against his alleged beliefs in "special" situations. So, convincing someone to do a thing "just this one time", or "because you know it's for a good reason", etc. would be easier than getting someone to concede your point. Only after they've done a thing many times do they start to rationalize it, and thereby change their alleged beliefs.

-- N

 

[diaglo]

add Morale back into the system.

when you fail a Morale check...you back down from the encounter.

if you succeed you push your views even more. with vigor, gusto, machismo...

 

[Zappo]

This is weird

Uhm... maybe "social hit points" could be class based like HP are. A barbarian or ranger gets 1d4, a cleric or wizard gets 1d10... that sort of numbers. They could be modified by, uhm... Wisdom, I think. Charisma would modify social to-hit, damage, and AC.

Nevertheless, I don't think I'd use this system. There is a balance between mechanical resolution and roleplay resolution, and for social stuff my line is drawn much closer to roleplay than it is for combat.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Dynasties and Demagogues has a debate combat system - it's one of the reasons I did not buy the book in the end, but if that's the sort of thing you desire it gives a published example.

I agree, it sounds like Dynasties and Demagogues is what you're looking for. It's a well done supplement.

 

[Utrecht]

Another thing I would ask you - is why do you need such a system?

Overall, I have found the lack of flexability of the social skills in D & D has less to do with the system and more to do with the DM. Those DMs who are more capable of "thinking on their feet" tend to be able to handle social/non-combat situations. After all, how many DM's give Experience for convincing the guild leader to sponsor them?

Those more rigid tend to fall back on combat as the alpha and omega of D & D activities.

That being said, there are certain situations like debates or elections that are definately "combats" abd would need a system like Dynesties and Demagoges.

 

[Vaxalon]

The system in Dynasties and Demagogues is very useful for situations where you want to allow players to play characters who are far more politically able than they are.

 

[Henry]

This is a PERFECT time to mention the E.N. Publishing Book Tournaments, Fairs, and Taverns. There is a "skill competition" system in the first chapter that allows two or more competitors to make cumulative skill checks in any direct or indirect contest one with another.

The book is a $1.00 PDF on RPGNow.com, until January 28th. I highly recommend it, mostly because I bought the darned thing for full price a couple of years ago.