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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TwinBahamut" data-source="post: 4710057" data-attributes="member: 32536">That misses the entire point. The problem isn't the exact target number, the problem is that the entire system is based around a target number. It is a system in which the math of your basic combat ability is implicit, rather than explicit. It is a system that only works intuitively if you are targeting a foe with AC 0.Let me phrase this a different way.In the attack bonus system, the different numbers involves all have direct connections to understandable qualities. Basically, if "luck" (die roll) + "skill" (attack bonus) >= "the enemy's ability to defend itself" (AC), then the hit connects. It is easily intuitive. However, in the THAC0 system, it is closer to "your ability to hit a moderately tough enemy" (THAC0) - "the defense of your current enemy" (AC) = "how lucky you need to be" (target die roll). It is mathematically the same, but it is far more removed from easily understood physical concepts, and thus is harder to use and is less easily remembered.I'm not sure if I am arguing this perfectly, but there is a conceptual difference that makes the attack bonus system much more intuitive than the THAC0 system. I mean, I am no idiot at math (I am willing to bet that I am well above the average for these boards in terms of mathematical skill), but it took me several hours of practice to understand THAC0 originally (and I still can't remember what you are supposed to subtract from what), but I was able to grasp the attack bonus system instantly.</blockquote>

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