Sat 24 Jul 2021, 13:57
So I think it’s worth saying again that I don’t believe the game is somehow ruined or broken by this strange inversion of how TNs are set. This is a mechanic borrowed I think from Symbaroum, a game which looks really cool and, presumably, works perfectly.
My problem isn’t whether the system functions at all, it’s whether it does so in a way that really echoes the source material and provides the Loremaster with certain tools and options.
As I’ve said before, because balanced characters cannot truly excel in multiple cross-Attribute skills, certain character concepts are (slightly) disadvantaged by virtue of the way they are built. This does not mean that they are not viable at all, but they are somewhat less attractive because of the system. And unfortunately, I find that unnecessarily restrictive in terms of actualizing certain character concepts - an eloquent gentleman thief, a traveling bard/scholar, or an intimidating Huntsman - that can no longer attain the same level of consistent excellence across certain skill areas, even if those particular skills are essential to their profession. They have to accept some (admittedly, small) penalty in terms of higher TN as a game balance issue, something that wasn’t really a factor before because Attributes were only crucial for employing Hope to reverse failure, rather than on determining the threshold for success overall.
I also think the new TN system makes it harder to suspend disbelief because by preventing the Loremaster from employing secrecy for success threshold, it can potentially limit my choices. I cannot grant leniency without shattering the illusion that the player succeeded on their own; I cannot make things imperceptibly harder when they are trying to achieve an impact I think should be more difficult. By virtue of the new system, which also requires them to also invest Hope before a roll, they already know how hard a task is and must decide how best to marshal their dice to meet the task.
This is purely my opinion, but I’m just not a fan of the new system. Trust me I wish I thought the 2e system was superior, I want to love it. I just don’t for a bunch of reasons. Agree/don’t agree, it’s fine. Both rule sets are still there to be used and enjoyed. I don’t see an inherent thematic or practical advantage to the new way TNs are applied and I’m probably just not going to do it this way.