tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991833568800031158.post5498045624340566640..comments2023-10-16T07:47:36.179+11:00Comments on Eleven Foot Pole: Meaningful ChoicesGreg Tannahillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00823898295759037081noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991833568800031158.post-28191145693548333712009-02-11T16:11:00.000+11:002009-02-11T16:11:00.000+11:00You're right, combat can be a test of skill or an ...You're right, combat can be a test of skill or an expression, depending on the demands of the game, but it's really only one or the other; for it to be a good test of skill it has to be challenging enough that deliberately approaching it suboptimally will hurt. It's up to the storyteller to clearly signal what kind of combat it is. This is possibly something that has been determined through an earlier feedback choice (although it's more typically decided earlier when setting the tone of the game as a whole).<BR/><BR/>Don't set up a skill challenge but let players deliberately showboat it; if it's going to be that kind of challenge, go all the way. Be bold in your storytelling.Greg Tannahillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00823898295759037081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991833568800031158.post-52438787223002749412009-02-11T09:55:00.000+11:002009-02-11T09:55:00.000+11:00I think this situation gets muddy in, say, a comba...I think this situation gets muddy in, say, a combat scenario. The players get to choose how to approach it, although their final outcome is weighted by luck. But I would argue that this is not easily lumped into "skill challenge".<BR/><BR/>I think that many players much of the time will approach it from a statistical approach, but it's also not uncommon for them to do something suboptimal to express themselves. Usually this is only slightly suboptimal, such as wasting too strong an ability on too weak an enemy, but it can be extremely suboptimal.<BR/><BR/>So I don't know that you can assume a choice is specifically type 1, 2, or 3. In fact, I think the best choices let the players choose which kind of choice it is!<BR/><BR/>I'm still undecided as to whether to draw finer gradations in "test of skill", though. Although this pertains mostly to video games, it may be worth considering whether various kinds of physical challenges should be lumped in with various kinds of mental challenges.Craig Perkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13173752470581218239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991833568800031158.post-26341851545550034342009-02-06T16:58:00.000+11:002009-02-06T16:58:00.000+11:00No, I don't think you can. Blog rules compell you...No, I don't think you can. Blog rules compell you to needlessly troll. One easy way is to direct me to a supplement I've never read or present an unlikely anecdote that suggests I'm just playing the game wrong.Greg Tannahillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00823898295759037081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991833568800031158.post-8039009254055883092009-02-06T14:38:00.000+11:002009-02-06T14:38:00.000+11:00Can I agree wholeheartedly without appearing sycop...Can I agree wholeheartedly without appearing sycophantic?Darlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01796777659108395495noreply@blogger.com