As we noted before, Stellagama Publishing is still working on Cepheus Light, a streamlined version of the Cepheus Engine SRD. We strive to provide players and referees with a lightweight, fast-play, yet nuanced and varied, sci-fi rule-set. Its production takes more time than we originally anticipated, as we have decided to invest more into quality-control and editing, to provide you with the best, cleanest, most readable book we can produce.
In June, we provided a preview of the vehicle chase system. Today, we present another important part of our rules, the throw (task) system, which is the base game mechanic of Cephesu Light.
Note that it is very easy to use this system with any 2d6 sci-fi (or otherwise) ruleset, including Classic Traveller; it interfaces directly with skills and characteristics presented in these rules, requiring no conversion whatsoever.
Basic Game Mechanic
The basic mechanic of Cepheus Light
is the throw, and when we say this, we mean dice throw. Throw 2D, add the
relevant skill or characteristic DM, and if the total is equal or higher than
the target number, you succeed. For example, “throw STR 8+” means “throw 2D and
add your STR modifier; if the total is 8 or more, you succeed” The amount by
which your total throw exceeds the target number is called the Effect If, using
the previous example, you roll a total of 11 on that throw, your Effect is 11 –
8 = 3.
Note that a “natural” result of 2
does not denote automatic failure, nor does a “natural” result of 12 denote
automatic success.
Opposed throws: in a
situation where two characters oppose each other in an attempt, for example a
spy trying to sneak past a guard, each character throws 2D plus the appropriate
skill or characteristic modifier; the higher roll wins. Re-roll ties.
Common Target Numbers
| Difficulty | Target Number |
|---|---|
| Routine | 4+ |
| Average | 6+ |
| Difficult | 8+ |
| Very Difficult | 10+ |
| Formidable | 12+ |
Characteristic DMs
Under this system, each character's characteristics has
an associated Dice Modifier (DM) based on its level, as noted below:
| Characteristic | DM |
|---|---|
| 0-2 | DM-2 |
| 3-5 | DM-1 |
| 6-8 | DM+0 |
| 9-11 | DM+1 |
| 12-14 | DM+2 |
| 15-17 | DM+3 |
| 18-20 | DM+4 |
I like the smaller steps between difficulty classes in Cepheus than the DGP/MegaT/2300AD system.
ReplyDeleteI'm unsure about a Routine difficulty class - I'm not sure I'd ask for an unmodified Routine task roll (because it is just an opportunity for a character to fail at something ordinary) but it is a good starting point for handling complications (e.g. making a repair with guidance from the ship's computer would be routine, but doing it in a vac suit makes it average and worth rolling for)
I agree that you won't roll in most routine situations, but the difficulty is there to cases when you want a small, but existing, chance of failure. I might rename it to "Easy".
Delete