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Been Playing ToR on and off since release, and over that time we have some experienced characters develop.
But of course we are also getting old (the humans at any rate) and one of the originals has retired at the ripe old age of 40 and started a new character.

We have also some players come and go, and occasionally have had reason for some players to take on a different character (marriage, imprisonment, recovery, personal tasks) so overall there is a fair mix of experience from 15 or so xp to post 100+. (My 100+xp character is retiring very soon because of old age)

Now I really like that the differences to the characters because of the XP differential are not so striking as to lead to one man army moments. The Gandalf and the 6 success dice balances nicely, means everyone "can give it a go".

However the sheer frustration of rolling 30 against a TN 14 and it only being a single success can be deflating.
In combat hitting rolls 10+ over the opponent's defence counting for nothing feels like you are being cheated.

I understand the higher skill gives more chance of rolling a 6 - but there is that D&D "you need a crit to hit, even with all your bonuses" to do anything worthwhile.
Combat and especially damage is where the frustration comes in, yes you always going to hit, but Lucky Elf/Dwarf/Dúnedain can make you look average if the dice gods are against you.

Higher skills - especially those you have invested in to the higher levels (5-6) could have some extra benefit be it that when they get "the all 5's" it actually means something - an extra success level maybe.

Has anyone else had similar frustrations or experiences?

Perhaps at skill 5 you get to reroll a success die.
Perhaps at Skill 6 you get to reroll either a Feat or Success die. Or maybe if you succeed TN by X you get an extra success?

Fatpob wrote:However the sheer frustration of rolling 30 against a TN 14 and it only being a single success can be deflating. In combat hitting rolls 10+ over the opponent's defence counting for nothing feels like you are being cheated.

Not really. Those extra success dice are really handy when Wearied; they mean a character with 4, 5, or 6 in a skill is still incredibly proficient (generally) and/or dangerous (in combat).

Fatpob wrote:I understand the higher skill gives more chance of rolling a 6 - but there is that D&D "you need a crit to hit, even with all your bonuses" to do anything worthwhile.

You're not playing D&D, and those extra dice with the right weapon mean you can attempt Called Shots of specific types - especially Piercing ones. With a skill of 5 or 6 you're pretty much nailing that every attack.

Fatpob wrote:Combat and especially damage is where the frustration comes in, yes you always going to hit, but Lucky Elf/Dwarf/Dúnedain can make you look average if the dice gods are against you.

They don't look average, they are constantly hitting where others fail often. And if they have 4, 5 or 6 in a skill are easily going to get Great successes regularly.

Fatpob wrote:Higher skills - especially those you have invested in to the higher levels (5-6) could have some extra benefit be it that when they get "the all 5's" it actually means something - an extra success level maybe.

Has anyone else had similar frustrations or experiences?

Nope. I think it works fine as-is. Those higher skill ratings all but guarantee things like Called Shots and extra damage. They mean that when Wearied a character hardly feels the effect when using those high skills. And they allow a character to take up a Defensive posture in combat without it really affecting their chances to hit.

Wow, Rich - great reply! Especially the last part made it clear for me. My first reaction to Fatpob's post was "well, hm, has a point, could that be an issue..."

Now I have to say, no issue for me.

A general Thanks to you, Rich, for taking your time to reply in detail to all the people here.

I agree witch Rich. There is no Hero with a 6 rank skill yet in my game. But the first few 5 ranks have appeared on the sheets. And those heroes feel quite powerful with those skills in the game. I don't see a need to give them extra power on top of the high skill. Changing dice outcomes seems more fitted to a special virtue or magical weapon to me. Not something to give everyone for just having an already great skill.