One-Hit Kills

[poosticks7]

Would be nice to get some other folks views.

(nudge - nudge)

[Yusei]

I've never had a player complain, so I'm not even sure what the RAW tell exactly. The way I've been playing is:
- players can auto-succeed if the actions are relatively easy, boring or without consequence
- they can also auto-succeed if they can describe the use of their trait in a convincing and entertaining way
- in any case, they can use their trait to lower the TN of the roll

In the journey example, I would allow auto-success in regions that are not very challengin. In more challenging regions, I would either lower the TN or allow auto-success for some hazard rolls, when applicable.

[DavetheLost]

I think I have given my views on Elusive pretty clearly. As for Hardy, I am of two minds, some groups might find Journey and Weariness best skipped over, other might find them a vital part of the game. For the first group "I am Hardy so I don't have to roll" might be just the ticket. For the second group a more nuanced invocation might be required.

Like most everything in an RPG I think the important thing is for each group to come to a mutually agreeable way of playing the game. If everyone is enjoying themselves who cares how the next group over interprets the rule?

[Glorelendil]

I think I have given my views on Elusive pretty clearly. As for Hardy, I am of two minds, some groups might find Journey and Weariness best skipped over, other might find them a vital part of the game. For the first group "I am Hardy so I don't have to roll" might be just the ticket. For the second group a more nuanced invocation might be required.

Like most everything in an RPG I think the important thing is for each group to come to a mutually agreeable way of playing the game. If everyone is enjoying themselves who cares how the next group over interprets the rule?

Because there will be a first prize purse, with many zeroes, riding on the outcome of the International TOR Championships?

[DavetheLost]

I heard the prize was a gold ring...

[Woodclaw]

While I'm comparatively new here, I think that there is one thing: rules are just guidelines, not something set in stone.

In general I think that the main point here is that Trait are meant to be roleplaying suggestion first and rule tools later. Even if the rule states that they can be used to obtain an automatic success, I think that abusing this element (like the Elusive example that started this thread) is against the spirit of the game.
As observed before, those situations that might have dramatic consequences should be beyond the scope of the automatic success rule. Plus there's one element that should be considered: automatic successes are just basic successes, which might not be enough in some circumstances.

[Rich H]

Like most everything in an RPG I think the important thing is for each group to come to a mutually agreeable way of playing the game. If everyone is enjoying themselves who cares how the next group over interprets the rule?

People ask for opinions about problems they are having with their own games and people offer solutions, discussions develop from that and people challenge each others understanding. I've really valued this discussion, personally, as it's challenged and questioned my interpretation of trait usage, which I've found extremely useful. I like to learn how the next group plays and explore why differences exist; a forum like this is perfectly suited for such discussion.

I certainly find it more helpful and useful than references about some imaginary TOR Championship, although that cash prize looks nice. Not sure about the Ring though!

[DavetheLost]

Rich, I have also enjoyed the discussion. It has caused me to look more closely at some of the rules and to question why I interpret them as I do.

I just didn't want to see this thread devolve into a flame war of "anyone who sees the rule that way is dumber than a hill troll in sunlight"

[Rich H]

Understood, but I think it was just a passionate discussion between (I'm assuming you mean) me and Stormcrow as we both like to get into the detail. We may have took a few tiny nibbles out of each other but that's only because the debate was empassioned. I'm really happy we did, and to such a level, as after reassessing trait usage based on this thread I'm pretty happy with what I'm doing.

[Evening]

Not becoming fatigued on journeys is just not all that big a deal to be considered abusive. Journeys are an important part of the game and of Tolkien, but accumulated fatigue is not so important that an exceptional character can't avoid it. And let's not forget that a character with Smoking can use that trait to automatically sneak out of each and every social gathering he chooses. A character with Keen-eyed can automatically detect signs of an ambush in each and every situation there is one. These are examples right out of the book—they must be correct, by definition.

I'm not sure if you're completely serious or if this is a cleverly written criticism of the RAW....

Either way, you do have a point, but then again so does Etarnon.