Turning back to skills

[Justisaur]

I've been running my OSR AURPG, While I don't have skills, I have a
general save which I've been using as a bit of a skill ability check.
I'm discovering it doesn't work really well as it's a bit too hard at
low levels, which I want for resisting spells and magic, but not for
skill type checks (do you see the secret door, etc.)

I'm realizing that the variable DCs of 3e+ really gives the DM more
freedom in setting those DCs to what they think is reasonable for some
task.

Even in 1e you could use a roll under ability score for a skill check
type thing, which generally gave a very good chance of success in things
related to your prime requisites.

I do find myself falling back on checks more than I like though. Things
like perception checks to spot valuable treasure in a pile of junk.
Things I would prefer to role-play by having the players describe such
as where they are looking, etc. It's a bit of a short-cut, but it robs
something from the role-play which is why I haven't liked skills since
3e (although I do think 5e skills are remarkably better and more usable,
they still have that issue).

[JimP.]

Post by Justisaur
I've been running my OSR AURPG, While I don't have skills, I have a
general save which I've been using as a bit of a skill ability check.
I'm discovering it doesn't work really well as it's a bit too hard at
low levels, which I want for resisting spells and magic, but not for
skill type checks (do you see the secret door, etc.)
I'm realizing that the variable DCs of 3e+ really gives the DM more
freedom in setting those DCs to what they think is reasonable for some
task.
Even in 1e you could use a roll under ability score for a skill check
type thing, which generally gave a very good chance of success in things
related to your prime requisites.
I do find myself falling back on checks more than I like though. Things
like perception checks to spot valuable treasure in a pile of junk.
Things I would prefer to role-play by having the players describe such
as where they are looking, etc. It's a bit of a short-cut, but it robs
something from the role-play which is why I haven't liked skills since
3e (although I do think 5e skills are remarkably better and more usable,
they still have that issue).

I mostly used checks vs. dex or int when players tried to do things
via their characters that was clearly implausible. 4d6 and 5d6 rolls
didn't clue some of them in. Other players realized they wanted to do
things their characters couldn't do, like jump across a chasm that was
over 40 feet wide.
--
Jim

[uglyvan]

Post by Justisaur
I've been running my OSR AURPG, While I don't have skills, I have a
general save which I've been using as a bit of a skill ability check.
I'm discovering it doesn't work really well as it's a bit too hard at
low levels, which I want for resisting spells and magic, but not for
skill type checks (do you see the secret door, etc.)
I'm realizing that the variable DCs of 3e+ really gives the DM more
freedom in setting those DCs to what they think is reasonable for some
task.
Even in 1e you could use a roll under ability score for a skill check
type thing, which generally gave a very good chance of success in things
related to your prime requisites.
I do find myself falling back on checks more than I like though. Things
like perception checks to spot valuable treasure in a pile of junk.
Things I would prefer to role-play by having the players describe such
as where they are looking, etc. It's a bit of a short-cut, but it robs
something from the role-play which is why I haven't liked skills since
3e (although I do think 5e skills are remarkably better and more usable,
they still have that issue).

back to Champions 4th RPG, they were using some different skill levels with differing cost like in
3 pts +1 with any three related skills ( e.g. +1 with culture, high society and seduction, +1 with mechanic, security systems, lockpicking etc )
5 pts +1 with a gropup of similar skills ( e.g. +1 with all DEX-based skills, +1 with all INT-based skills, etc )
10 pts +1 overall level ( e.g. +1 with any skill roll )

:)

enjoy!