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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CarlZog" data-source="post: 2186224" data-attributes="member: 11716">I suppose you can look it at that way. Either way, there are three elements: the character's skill, the circumstances of the task, and a random element to test the probability of success. I guess, if you think about it, nearly every game system is just a variation on the weave of those elements.I like Alternity because I see its system as more character-centric. The character's skill score IS the target number, and the task's circumstances are woven into the probability test. The circumstances don't directly or invariably change the results; they merely change the distribution curve.I see d20 as more task-centric. The task's circumstances (DC) is the target number, tested against the die roll, and the character's skill is a modifier seemingly tossed in at the end to see if it makes a difference.Certainly, somebody else could paint a totally different interpretation, but this is mine -- for whatever it's worth.As for d20 combat, I suppose you can view AC as just another DC <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f61b.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue    :p"  data-smilie="7"data-shortname=":p" /> , but I've never liked the so-called abstraction of combat that D&D's system supposedly represents. To me, it's a lame holdover from the wargaming days, and doesn't do a very good job of representing the clash of individuals.Again, Alternity is more character-centric. The number 1 factor determining whether you can hit something is your skill with the weapon in hand (your skill score for that weapon or type of weapon). And no matter what your character does for a living, or how long he's been around, you've been given some say in how much effort you've put into training with that weapon or type of weapon. Again, the circumstances affecting the difficulty of the shot woven into the probability curve you're testing against.I see d20 as more society-centric. Your combat abilities are determined and limited by the stereotypical characteristics of a narrowly defined, relatively inflexible "class". BAB represents some abstraction of martial training, homogenous to all members of a class, that somehow continues to increase regardless of the nature of your activities or personal interests.Additionally, as a method of summarizing your defensive characteristics, AC contributes to the idea that the attack roll does not really represent a single swing or shot, but rather the result of some longer exchange. I've never been able to visualize this, particularly when it's in league with the myriad of tactical minutiae that d20 is able to add to the equation.Please don't flame me; this is not an anti-d20 rant. It's just how I view the differences, and why I like Alternity better.Give Alternity a try and see what YOU think.Carl</blockquote>

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