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<blockquote data-quote="Nagol" data-source="post: 5701486" data-attributes="member: 23935">Although seeing the numbers can provide the players with world information, I consider that a feature, not a bug.The players are much more constrained in data flow compared to their characters.&nbsp; The players get a 2-second verbal description and perhaps a tactical layout.&nbsp; The characters have the full range of sensory input coupled with potentially deep professional experience.&nbsp; The players seeing an attacker hit an armoured foe on a 8 now have some information regarding its fighting prowess -- information that by rights a well-trained combat veteran should be able to pick up quickly enough from observation/interaction anyway.&nbsp; The information view the players get is imprecise.&nbsp; That creature saved with an 18, but pretty much anything would save with an 18!&nbsp; The attacker hit that round with this form of attack on an 8.&nbsp; Would a 7 have hit?&nbsp; Are there conditional or situational or timed effects that affect the probability?Seeing the die results match with in-game effects offers other advantages to the DM:&nbsp; <ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">The players have additional input to detect situational discrepancies.&nbsp; This is hitting much better than its companions.&nbsp; Is it better armed, better skilled, stronger, or affected by magic?&nbsp; &nbsp; Such discrepancies are too subtle for the wide variability and small population of die rolls in a typical combat to demonstrate -- the variations are lost to the noise of combat.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">It allows the players to understand when the opposition is going through a lucky/unlucky streak as opposed to getting the wrong impression of ability based on a small sample of rolls.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">It sidelines suspicion of favortism and illusionism.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">It widens the response potential from the the players -- if the opponents are missing on a 17, maybe the threat level is so low they can act more confident, take the fight less seriously, or try to figure out what they've blundered into by taking prisoners/surrendering or what-have-you.&nbsp; Conversely, if the creature is hitting on a 5, it may be time to consider an alternative course to toe-to-toe combat.</li>
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[QUOTE="Nagol, post: 5701486, member: 23935"] Although seeing the numbers can provide the players with world information, I consider that a feature, not a bug. The players are much more constrained in data flow compared to their characters. The players get a 2-second verbal description and perhaps a tactical layout. The characters have the full range of sensory input coupled with potentially deep professional experience. The players seeing an attacker hit an armoured foe on a 8 now have some information regarding its fighting prowess -- information that by rights a well-trained combat veteran should be able to pick up quickly enough from observation/interaction anyway. The information view the players get is imprecise. That creature saved with an 18, but pretty much anything would save with an 18! The attacker hit [B]that[/B] round with [B]this[/B] form of attack on an 8. Would a 7 have hit? Are there conditional or situational or timed effects that affect the probability? Seeing the die results match with in-game effects offers other advantages to the DM: [LIST] [*]The players have additional input to detect situational discrepancies. [I]This[/I] is hitting much better than its companions. Is it better armed, better skilled, stronger, or affected by magic? Such discrepancies are too subtle for the wide variability and small population of die rolls in a typical combat to demonstrate -- the variations are lost to the noise of combat. [*]It allows the players to understand when the opposition is going through a lucky/unlucky streak as opposed to getting the wrong impression of ability based on a small sample of rolls. [*]It sidelines suspicion of favortism and illusionism. [*]It widens the response potential from the the players -- if the opponents are missing on a 17, maybe the threat level is so low they can act more confident, take the fight less seriously, or try to figure out what they've blundered into by taking prisoners/surrendering or what-have-you. Conversely, if the creature is hitting on a 5, it may be time to consider an alternative course to toe-to-toe combat. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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