Supplement Four
SOC-14 5K
Musing over some CT stuff I had in a box the other day, it struck me that there's not a lot of examples of attribute only throws. What am I talking about? Throws where no skill really applies--a throw that is mainly focused on a character's stats. An example would be a throw to force open a stuck hatch. Most Refs would make some sort of STR based throw.
In the game, there's the roll to throw blades that one can use as an example. Throw 18+, using the full DEX score as a modifier (other modifiers also listed).
Another idea is to just come up with a target number for a 2D throw, then add in a modifier if the important attribute is X. For example, a rock is falling off a cliff. The character only has a split second to react by jumping out of the way. Roll 2D for 8+, using a +1 if DEX 10+, and a +2 if DEX 13+.
Note that the modifiers can be greater, if needed.
A throw suggested by Marc Miller in the Traveller Adventure is to roll 2D for a stat or less. For example, there is a spider-analogue above a doorway to an Ancient Pyramid. Does the PC notice the spider before it has a chance to plop down on the character? Roll 2D for INT or less.
For situations that are meant to be very hard, try rolling 3D for stat or less.
ANOTHER METHOD
It's been a while since I've used this, but way back in the day, I sometimes used this method:
1. Pick a target number for a 2D throw--usually in the 4-12 range.
2. Compare attribute to the target. If the stat is higher than the target number, then add a +1 modifier. If the stat is at least twice the target, then add a +2 modifier, and so on.
3. Optionally, you can also do the reverse have have penalty DMs. If a stat is lower than the target, then use a -1 DM. If the target is twice as large as the stat, then use a -2 DM.
As an example, let's say that the PCs have encountered an set of numbers scratched into the stone of an old cave that they are exploring. The numbers are meaningless without context. The Ref decides to give the Navigator among the explorers a chance to recognize that the numbers are three dimensional coordinates to a point in space.
The target number is 5+, and the PC has EDU 11. Obviously, the player has a +2 on this throw because his stat is twice the target. The throw is 2D +2 for 5+.
In the game, there's the roll to throw blades that one can use as an example. Throw 18+, using the full DEX score as a modifier (other modifiers also listed).
Another idea is to just come up with a target number for a 2D throw, then add in a modifier if the important attribute is X. For example, a rock is falling off a cliff. The character only has a split second to react by jumping out of the way. Roll 2D for 8+, using a +1 if DEX 10+, and a +2 if DEX 13+.
Note that the modifiers can be greater, if needed.
A throw suggested by Marc Miller in the Traveller Adventure is to roll 2D for a stat or less. For example, there is a spider-analogue above a doorway to an Ancient Pyramid. Does the PC notice the spider before it has a chance to plop down on the character? Roll 2D for INT or less.
For situations that are meant to be very hard, try rolling 3D for stat or less.
ANOTHER METHOD
It's been a while since I've used this, but way back in the day, I sometimes used this method:
1. Pick a target number for a 2D throw--usually in the 4-12 range.
2. Compare attribute to the target. If the stat is higher than the target number, then add a +1 modifier. If the stat is at least twice the target, then add a +2 modifier, and so on.
3. Optionally, you can also do the reverse have have penalty DMs. If a stat is lower than the target, then use a -1 DM. If the target is twice as large as the stat, then use a -2 DM.
As an example, let's say that the PCs have encountered an set of numbers scratched into the stone of an old cave that they are exploring. The numbers are meaningless without context. The Ref decides to give the Navigator among the explorers a chance to recognize that the numbers are three dimensional coordinates to a point in space.
The target number is 5+, and the PC has EDU 11. Obviously, the player has a +2 on this throw because his stat is twice the target. The throw is 2D +2 for 5+.