[Torg] Trimming player decision-making

[winstoninabox]

> I have observed that indecision (not just in RPGs but in boardgames, wargames, and, really, outside of games entirely) is rarely the result of what type of choice is to be made. Rather, it tends to be related to the personality of the chooser, the number of decisions, and the stakes. So, I don't think replacing combat options with additional card play is likely to help matters.

The above is certainly true. I've had players that provide elaborate off-the-cuff description of their actions before even rolling the die. Others who struggle to come up choosing between "I attack" and "I test of wills". Some who are happy to leave it to the GM, some who want to analyze the benefits down to the smallest detail. The personality of players makes so much difference. 

> One thing that I have contemplated (not just for Torg, but for many RPGs) is replacing combat manoeuvres with a much more generic set of modifiers - like how a lot of us have handled vital blow for years (two point penalty on attack per each one point bonus on damage, up to a certain limit), but also allowing the trading of attack skill for defense, defense for damage resistance, and so on. Then, the modifiers can be assessed for each situation as it occurs, and players can just describe what they do and have an appropriate set of modifiers assigned.

Generic modifiers that always link a benefit with a disadvantage are a good idea. And I'd suggest that modifiers be applicable both before and after the die roll, so that the different kinds of players mentioned above can be accommodated. That way the person who struggles to come up with vivid descriptions before the roll doesn't feel like they're always left out of the options. I don't have a problem with the GM saying "Wow, that was a really great roll. Do you want to make it a Vital Blow? You'll get extra damage but next round you'll have - 3. (If that's how Vital Blow worked under that system)."

winstoninabox
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