Beginner's Luck and Ob Modifiers

[foxandwarlock]

So assume that an individual wanted to scale some walls but did not have the Climb skill....let's say somebody with a Speed of 6 and, oh I don't know, the walls of Steel Hill. What? Haven't you ever heard of a "hypothetical" situation? Sheesh.

So if he were to Work Carefully or use a Persona Artha does the Ob Modifier take place before or after the Double Ob penalty? i.e. Is the new Ob 10 (Ob 6 - 1 = 5 x 2 = 10) or Ob 11 (Ob 6 x 2 = 12 - 1 = 11).

I thought I remembered the example in the back of the CB being the 11 scenario for Von Goten's Perception tests (vs. Stealthy).

[luke]

What's the obstacle for the test?

Ob modifiers are applied before doubling.

-L

[foxandwarlock]

I believe the listed Ob for scaling a smooth wall with no equipment is an Ob 6.

But you answered Kemlin's...err....I mean my "hypothetical" question. :twisted:

[luke]

so yes, a person with no skill or experience in climbing would need a miracle to be able to climb a sheer wall with little or no purchase.

Take a test toward learning the Climbing skill...

-L

[Thor]

What's the obstacle for the test?

Ob modifiers are applied before doubling.


So if I have a character with Speed 6, and he's trying to climb an icy wall (Ob 4*2=Ob 8 ), I could Climb carefully at Ob 6 (Ob 4-1=3*2=Ob 6).

[luke]

uh, sure.

but my GM instincts err on the side of higher obsacles.

-L

[Thor]

uh, sure.

but my GM instincts err on the side of higher obsacles.


Hey, whatever floats your boat. I actually use the guidelines from the book. :P

[foxandwarlock]

Okay, I was good now I am confused again.

The Ob modifiers occur before the Doubling penalty, is that what we are saying?

But Luke, you just said you err on the side of higher Obs which would mean that the Ob modifiers should occur after the Doubling penalty.

Do I use the rules from the book...or listen to the guy who wrote it. So confused. :D

[Thor]

Okay, I was good now I am confused again.

The Ob modifiers occur before the Doubling penalty, is that what we are saying?

But Luke, you just said you err on the side of higher Obs which would mean that the Ob modifiers should occur after the Doubling penalty.

Do I use the rules from the book...or listen to the guy who wrote it. So confused. :D

I think that what Luke was getting at (damn that guy needs an editor) is that Ob 4 is too low an obstacle for an icy wall, despite the fact that in the character burner he says that climging a 90 degree ice wall with harness is an Ob 4 test (Under the description of the Climbing skill).

So absolutely apply the modifier before you double the Ob. Just don't listen to anything else Luke says. :lol:

[luke]

if the ruling is in the book, what's the question? I can't be there at your table when you say to the GM, "Luke said!"

Fact of the matter, it's an interpretable modifier.

Anyway, you won't go wrong if you factor the ob as normal and then just double it.

-L

[Thor]

But the answer isn't there, just the particular Ob I took from the book.

foxandwarlock is just trying to figure out whether the formula is:

(Standard Ob - Working Carefully) * Double Ob Penalty = Test Ob

or

(Standard Ob * Double Ob Penalty) - Working Carefully = Test Ob

But we've settled that it is the former. Right?

[Viper]

if the ruling is in the book, what's the question? I can't be there at your table when you say to the GM, "Luke said!"

Fact of the matter, it's an interpretable modifier.

Anyway, you won't go wrong if you factor the ob as normal and then just double it.

-L

I think each copy of the revision and the annual should be packaged with its own personal disembodied Luke head, to answer questions and arbitrate rules discussions.

[luke]

GAH. I need to have an "ignore me" button that I can click on.


What's the obstacle for the test?

Ob modifiers are applied before doubling.

-L

This is correct. This is Rules Writing Luke.

Ignore GM Luke. He cheats and screws players. Just ask my players!

-L