Saturday, April 17, 2010

Player Skill In Combat I: Resource Management

Last month I was musing about player-skill, and how I would love to employ a set of combat rules that utilized a player-skill system in some fashion.

When I use the term player-skill system, I mean a method of encounter or event-resolution, that (while not always independent of the rolling of dice) considers such things as the players’ use of strategic resource management, tactical thinking, deduction, information gathering, problem-solving based on common sense, rhetoric, and other types of appropriate in-game persuasion. I intend to cover all of those elements (and any others that come to mind) over the next several weeks, to investigate their application to combat.

The difficulty with applying player-skill to combat is that combat is one of the few systems of any role-playing game where the players demand certainty. Hand-waving, die-roll adjustments for good role-playing, and dialogue-based problem resolution are all well and good, when the only thing at stake is the delay of one 10 minute turn. But when you are talking the life or death of a character, players want to know that the applied combat-resolution system is transparent, even-handed and contains a reasonable measure of statistical predictability.

Are player-skill and combat systems mutually exclusive? Some might argue that the question is moot, since many combat systems seemingly include a player-skill component. After all, if you look at the 4th Edition of Dungeons and Dragons, there is a multiplicity of options for players to choose from, when it comes to choosing combat tactics. Surely the ability to pre-select from a host of feats, and then apply the appropriate feat in the right circumstance, is evidence of the application of player-skill.

I would argue that most games that use those combat feat systems cannot be characterized as player-skill based. Certainly, the player has selected the skills they intend to employ. But that approach to game-play is, in fact, based on system-mastery, not player skill. Players utilizing system-mastery rely on an understanding of how the game system works, using that meta-knowledge to maximize in-game success. The feats in those combat systems are by and large wholly artificial: a fresh player would not be able to use deduction or common sense, based on their understanding of real world physics, common sense or historical tactics, to intuit the most appropriate feat to apply in a combat situation. They would need to understand the relationships between their artificially constructed feats and those of other players in order to take advantage of the designed synergies … system-mastery.

Earlier, I opined that a good player-skill combat system might look a lot like a game of poker. I said this because, in my opinion, poker is a game where, over time, it is not the player who is dealt the best cards that wins, but the one who uses her observational, rhetorical, tactical and strategic skills to outlast and out-bluff her opponents. As the song goes, “you gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, know when to run.”

Resource management (poker chips) is a critical component in the success of a poker player. In the same way, resource management is a critical component of success for D&D players, particularly when it comes to combat. Whether the resource be spells, hit points, arrows, light sources, or what have you, player-skill can be demonstrated in the conservation and judicious and novel use of resources in combat.

Most of you may not be familiar with the combat system utilized in the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game (LOTR:SBG), released by Games Workshop. For some it is because you are not interested in Lord of the Rings milieu itself. Others prefer role-playing and have little interest in table-top battlegames. Others may have heard that the system is simplistic and so never investigated it.

While the system is simpler than, say Games Workshop’s Warhammer, LOTR:SBG has some interesting and elegant design features (and more importantly, character resource management features) that provide interesting talking points regarding resource management.

While my rulebook for LOTR:SBG is 240 pages, the basic rules themselves represent only about 50 of those pages. The rest of the book is filled with painting guides, advanced rules (such as sieges, banners and optional rules), combat scenarios, and photos of various combatants and monsters in miniature (and their related game statistics).

I offer you the following primer on the combat system for LOTR:SBG. Each combatant has a set of combat attributes:

Fighting Skill – think of this as similar to levels in D&D, divorced from extra hit points and other benefits of increased levels. The better your fighting skill, the better your chance of winning a combat. LOTR:SBG uses an opposed-rolls combat system, based on six-sided dice, with the combatants rolling simultaneously, and the higher of the two opposed-rolls winning the contest. In the event of a tie (which happens roughly 17% of the time), the character with the higher fighting skill wins the combat. Therefore, all other things being equal, (see number of attacks, below, for situations where the combat is not equal) a warrior with a higher fighting skill has a 57% chance of winning a combat, while his opponent has a 43% chance. Put another way, in any fight between two otherwise-equal combatants, the warrior with the higher fighting skill will prevail in 3 out of every 5 contests.

Strength and Defence – roughly analogous to the Strength attribute and Armor Class of Dungeons and Dragons. Strength represents how forceful your attack is, with more massive and stronger opponents having higher strength scores than smaller and weaker ones. LOTR:SBG’s defence score represents both the fleetness-of-foot and protective armor of a warrior. In LOTR:SBG, the higher your strength, the more likely you are to inflict wounds if you win a combat (based on the above-mentioned opposed-roll combat system). A high defence improves your likelihood of avoiding that wound, in the event you lose a combat The strength of the winner and defence of the loser are compared to a wound probability matrix, from which the related wound probability is determined. The winner rolls to see if she can meet or exceed that probability, and if so, she inflicts a wound on the loser.

Number of Attacks: in LOTR:SBG, number of attacks works in conjunction with fighting skill. Experienced warriors will often have a higher fighting skill as well as a higher number of attacks, improving both their chance of winning a battle, and subsequently inflicting multiple wounds on the loser. A higher number of attacks translates into a larger dice-pool of six-sided dice (utilized in the previously-described opposed-rolls combat system). A warrior with three attacks would roll three dice using that combat system, while a warrior with one attack would roll one die. When rolling multiple dice based on the number of attacks, only the highest digit that player rolls is used to determine whether they win the combat. So the combatant with the higher number of attacks has a better probability of rolling high.

For example, a warrior with one attack has a 17% chance of scoring a 6, while a warrior with three attacks has a 42% chance of scoring a 6 (on any one of those three dice). Conversely, a warrior with one attack has a 17% chance of scoring a one, while the warrior with three dice has only a 1% chance of scoring a one (on all three dice).

The combat victor also rolls the same number of dice to determine wounds. Therefore, a successful combatant with three attacks could score as many as three wounds on the loser.

Wounds: this represents the number of hits a warrior can take before being eliminated from the battle. Each combatant in LOTR:SBG has a certain number of wounds. Most rank-and-file warriors and rabble can take only one wound, while heroes and monsters will have several wounds.

Courage: this attribute represents bravery and determination. In LOTR:SBG it is used to determine whether a character will stay in the battle, the same way Morale checks are used in old-school D&D. The difference is that in LOTR:SBG, courage (Morale) checks are applied to one’s heroes, not only to ones’ hirelings and henchmen, and the opposing monsters. In LOTR:SBG, having an improved courage score is important, as not only does it keep you in the battle, but it also allows you to rally your followers.

Taken by themselves, the above LOTR:SBG attributes result in a largely character-skill based combat system. The above attributes only affect dice rolls.

The way the strategic resource management portion of LOTR:SBG is revealed is in the following three additional heroic attributes: Might, Will and Fate.

Might: this attribute is a measure of the heroes’ ability to perform unusual and encounter-altering actions. Similar to “bennies” in Savage Worlds, or luck points in other game systems, in LOTR:SBG, Might allows you to attempt special heroic actions (such as pre-empting others in the already-established initiative order, altering an archery die-roll, adjusting a combat or wounds roll, engaging in pre-emptive archery attacks, making additional moves, adjusting “saving throws” and courage checks, or hewing through your current opponents so as to join a second combat). Every hero in LOTR:SBG has a limited number of might points that can be spent during a game.

The player’s decision about when and how to use her might points, is the player-skill portion of the LOTR:SBG system. Do you use the might points early, to score an extra wound or two, or do you save the might points, to be used later in the encounter, when it will decisively swing the tide of battle? The use of the might points becomes a resource management, as well as strategic decision, which reveals the player’s skill in applying those precious might points at the right time, to favourably affect the course of the adventure.

Will: this represents the ability of the possessor to persevere in the face of challenges and setbacks, and use and resist the effects of spells. In LOTR:SBG, Will is used to alter courage checks, in addition to casting and resisting spells. In comparison, in Dungeons and Dragons, spell resistance is applied via a saving throw. I like the idea of will, as used in LOTR:SBG, as it has some interesting sword & sorcery rpg implications: characters with low will-points will eventually succumb to the domination of an evil sorcerer, once their will-points are exhausted from resisting his spells. In addition, will is used by Wizards to cast spells, and for opposing characters to resist the effects of those spells.

In terms of resource management, similar comments apply to will as apply to might: do you use a point of will to cast a spell, or to ensure you pass your courage test, or resist the spell of another wizard, or do you save those will points until your need is dire?

Fate: this is the last LOTR:SBG heroic ability, and represents the ability of the individual to cheat death, or otherwise avoid some unpleasant fate. I like this particular feature of LOTR:SBG and would relish its application to a role-playing game. Instead of taking a wound, a hero can exhaust one of his fate points, and therefore avoid taking actual damage.

I have frequently expressed my dislike for the single mechanic of hit-points, as I disagree with the notion that the ‘luck’ or ‘skill’ portion of hit-points should be recovered at the same rate as actual wounds. I much prefer the idea that hit-points be separated out into wounds and fate, with wounds taking time to heal, while fate can be restored after, say, a good night’s sleep.

Fate is the attribute least affected by resource management issues. A player is probably wise to use those fate points immediately, rather than taking the wound, regardless of your current situation.

Even though LOTR:SBG has a very unambiguous character-skill based combat system, the introduction of Might, Will and (to a lesser degree) Fate provides an opportunity for the players to make strategic resource management decisions, to alter the outcome of a combat. Even though the MWF rules are tightly structured, player-skill is still evident in the timing of the use of those heroic attributes.

15 comments:

TheWanderer said...

While I like the combat system designed for LOTR I find the rules a little broad in their usage. In the Smallest Iteration of the ruleset designed for 7 - 15 figures or people, roughly a band of adventurers, the rule system breaks down somewhat. The advanced rules for use of courage for example may force a retreat after only three or four wounds are inflicted, no matter who they are inflicted to. This neglects the ability of a good leader to keep his fellows in a fight and possibly, against the odds still win the day. If wounds remaining were counted instead of characters the rule may work better. But I can see that such a system may have something to offer a "Rules Light" roleplaying system.

Obiri said...

I think if you want to see player skill then combat has to be suitably difficult. If the PCs can just waltz in and slay anything with little effort (strategy, planning, etc.) then they will do so.
When they realize that they are in over their heads is when you see the really clever strategies come out. Traps, ambushes, and use of advantageous terrain.
People are lazy and unless they have reason to believe its going to be unusually difficult, they will just kick down the door and club everything over the head.

Delta said...

I'm generally not in favor of Fate/Luck/Action point-type systems. It seems like your comments about system-mastery (which are good!) are equally applicable to the Might/Will/Fate system (and in fact my own #1 complaint about these systems):

"... by and large wholly artificial: a fresh player would not be able to use deduction or common sense, based on their understanding of real world physics, common sense or historical tactics, to intuit the most appropriate feat to apply in a combat situation."

P_Armstrong said...

I find that the B/X combat system requires a lot of player skill in the terms that you give - resource management.

Trying to maximize your resources - hit points, # of attacks, spells, consumable magic items, etc - while minimizing those of your opponents is paramount in surviving in B/X.

An example of this is comparing my old Northern Marches group, which included a few 3E players that didn't have experience with older versions of D&D and the game that you and Roger played in at Red Box Calgary.

The Northern Marches group didn't understand the basic tactics required and suffered atrocious casualty rates while you and Roger went into the orc caves in the Caves of Chaos and did a very effective job of using tactics to overcome nearly all of the obstacles with very little casualties.

Word verification: Sheea - cousin of Xena.

Aaron E. Steele said...

"The advanced rules for use of courage for example may force a retreat after only three or four wounds are inflicted, no matter who they are inflicted to."

I agree. You'd have to provide some sort of will-0bonus to characters with higher Charisma scores, and allow them to use their will points to keep their henchmen from failing a courage roll.

Aaron E. Steele said...

"I think if you want to see player skill then combat has to be suitably difficult. If the PCs can just waltz in and slay anything with little effort (strategy, planning, etc.) then they will do so."

Check out P_Armstrong's reply. You're right, player skill can make combats easier. In older versions of D&D that means you can make your game day longer, as you are using your resources judiciously and strategically.

Aaron E. Steele said...

"I'm generally not in favor of Fate/Luck/Action point-type systems. It seems like your comments about system-mastery (which are good!) are equally applicable to the Might/Will/Fate system (and in fact my own #1 complaint about these systems)"

I'm also generally not a big fan of luck-point systems. In LOTR:SBG I think it makes sense, since it is a heroic player vs. player combat game.

Most PvP games have a force-balancing mechanism: LOTR:SBG's mechanism is a point-buy system, so that more powerful combatants, with lots of M/W/F, cost more.

I think the interesting nugget to be gleaned from LOTR:SBG's system is the idea of resource management. It's not just that you have M/W/F. It's that - as a player - you have to decide WHEN TO APPLY those resources. That is the player-skill part of the equation. I have played many LOTR:SBG games where the clever and timely use of M/W/F has significantly turned the tide of a battle.

I think I understand what you mean about M/W/F being artificial. It is. I think Str, Dex, Con, HP, AC, Saves, numbers of arrows, days of rations, spells and so on are also artificial.

Other than our shared dislike of luck-points/bennies as a game mechanic, do you find those luck-points more artificial that other game resources, like Spells or Hit Points?

Aaron E. Steele said...

"I find that the B/X combat system requires a lot of player skill in the terms that you give - resource management.

Trying to maximize your resources - hit points, # of attacks, spells, consumable magic items, etc - while minimizing those of your opponents is paramount in surviving in B/X."


I agree. B/X is rules-light enough that it allows (and almost requires) players to use their own skills, rather than just what is written down on their character sheets. As first level characters (one with one hit point and a 3 Constitution), what did we kill, 23 orcs, and only suffered a single casualty?

Aaron E. Steele said...

Incidentally, part of my dislike for luck/benny systems is the vague sense that they are there to moderate, minimize or militate against the authority of the DM.

Some of those systems even allow you to add a new element to the game, or otherwise change the "story".

Many people like those sorts of games, and I would not refuse to play one, it just rubs me the wrong way is all.

Aaron E. Steele said...

BTW, Delta, you're quite right. The M/W/F attributes have some of the same features as 4E feats. The difference is that those M/W/F atributes are generic / fungible, and/or their application and use can be simply communicated.

I can tell a new player "You are a hero. These might points allow you to preempt others, re-roll, add a point to a roll, and take additional actions." It's then up to the player to use their skill and creativity to utilize those points, at the most opportune time.

Again, I see M/W/F more as resources to be managed, rather than rules to be mastered.

Roger G-S said...

Would it be fair to say that system mastery relates to using the rules as written, while player skill operates in a more improvised way, forcing the GM or judge to make rulings? That is where I would draw the line that is most useful for dividing old-school feel from heavily rules-based systems. The only way I can see the M/W/F system as being different from 4e's system of character powers is that the number of situations each mechanic applies to is greater, so it feels more improvisational, even though of course it is completely rules-defined.

Aaron E. Steele said...

Good insight, about rules vs. rulings.

Part of the advantage of rules-light games is that is permits rulings.

The cruel irony is that every game system will ultimately collapse under the weight of its collected rulings, as they become rules.

It's a natural evolution that no-one playing older games (including me) wants to acknowledge.

Aaron E. Steele said...

Love the avatar, Roger.

The foul Cronk, a monster from one of my favorite minigames.

Roger G-S said...

Yep - see you have made it over to my blog, so hope others follow suit and read my ramblings - I am waiting to post up my almost-done monster collection before publicizing it more extensively.

And yes indeed, the only thing iller than a Cronk was a Demi-Cronk. (Don't think too hard about them...)

Eric R. Wirsing said...

In general, a poor rules-lite system will suffer from the weight of its combined rulings.

A well-designed one, with a single, logical system in place, will not suffer easily.

The sad thing is, a lot of old school games tend to suffer that way. The only way to alleviate it is to make one rule that can be used in many, many situations, and tweak it as necessary for situations that don't quite fit the mold.

Word verification: nuilingi:
A polynesian delicacy