So reading through Sailors On The Starless Sea (amazing adventure!) I encountered a couple of eyebrow raising checks, namely the "DC 30 Strength check" for something I can't exaclty recall that takes place in the courtyard. So, surely a level 0 PC could never achieve such a feat, so I'm wondering how you guys handle this?
Is it something that is there just to be circumvented with cleverness or tools, the DC 30 just an indicator of the weight / difficulty? What system do you use for rolling ability checks.. and how do you deal with PCs working together (which is what I'm imagining for such a herculean check)?
"DC 30 Strength check"
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"DC 30 Strength check"
Last edited by CHC on Fri Mar 22, 2013 2:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- reverenddak
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Re: "DC 30 Strength check"
That DC 30 strength check is meant to be "Impossible" but not impossible. But you can always use the d20 rule of assistance gives a +2, or use cumulative checks for multiple folks. Either work fine. The point is that a single person can't really do it, but they sure as heck can try.
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Re: "DC 30 Strength check"
One thing that seperates the "old school" mentality from the "new school" style is whether obsticles are there to be overcome. Back in the 1970's we never heard of game balance, and it's possible that a character might encounter something way too tough to beat and have to run away instead of fight to the end.
I suspect that this Strength check is that sort of thing. It's not really designed to be overcome, but if a group is somehow resourceful then the module provides a guideline as to how to judge it.
I suspect that this Strength check is that sort of thing. It's not really designed to be overcome, but if a group is somehow resourceful then the module provides a guideline as to how to judge it.
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DCC Minister of Propaganda; Deputized 6/8/11 (over 11 years of SPAM bustin'!)
DCC RPG playtester 2011, DCC Lankhmar trivia contest winner 2015; OD&D player since 1975
"The worthy GM never purposely kills players' PCs, He presents opportunities for the rash and unthinking players to do that all on their own."
-- Gary Gygax
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!"
-- Dave Arneson
"Misinterpreting the rules is a shared memory for many of us"
-- Joseph Goodman
Re: "DC 30 Strength check"
Thanks - that's kind of what I assumed and I like it!
Re: "DC 30 Strength check"
Also, if you rule that a natural 20 succeeds, there is a 5% chance, which is still better than a character with average strength's chances to "bend bars/lift gates" in AD&D.
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