tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post4713471369978367165..comments2024-03-04T19:54:23.562+01:00Comments on Wargaming Mechanics: A reroll, or a modifier?Phil Dutréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13607941040736764291noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-24314529463526742552023-03-13T15:07:20.575+01:002023-03-13T15:07:20.575+01:00Yes, that's correct.Yes, that's correct. Phil Dutréhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13607941040736764291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-52361486013265062672023-03-07T09:30:23.289+01:002023-03-07T09:30:23.289+01:00Howdy Professor Dutre' not sure if you are sti...Howdy Professor Dutre' not sure if you are still following this but just in case, in AOS I am trying to decide on a priest. When casting a prayer that requires a 4+ for success I have two choices: the first gets 1 reroll of failed prayers, the second has no rerolls but has +1 to any prayers. What I think I got from your blog is that the priest with the reroll has a 75% chance of success while the second fellow only has a 67% chance, did I get that right?MattH.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10699779286560523338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-20993155909936617972022-09-07T22:49:52.372+02:002022-09-07T22:49:52.372+02:00From mathematical point of view they could be very...From mathematical point of view they could be very similar for each other but a lot more is happening usually around there. You use modifiers when unit is in a specific game state - it has cover for example. Re-roll in other hand is a potential mechanic / sink for spend resources like "will/luck/command points" etc. They both have it's own place IMO, even in the same game because of that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-28006931836087831462021-04-26T10:11:06.164+02:002021-04-26T10:11:06.164+02:00Thanks!
A bit difficult to answer, since combat me...Thanks!<br />A bit difficult to answer, since combat mechanics do not live in a vacuum, but are connected to other game procedures. But overall, I like mechanics that:<br />- involve both players, e.g. an opposed die roll, or a to hit/to save mechanism. Anything that makes both players roll a dice, because it reduces downtime and increases involvement.<br />- mechanics that allow players to apply modifiers regarding the status of their own troops to their own die rolls. E.g. cover should be a + on the defender's roll, not a - on the attacker's roll.Phil Dutréhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13607941040736764291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-66130656648185845692021-04-23T15:21:32.534+02:002021-04-23T15:21:32.534+02:00Really enjoying reading through your posts. I'...Really enjoying reading through your posts. I'd love to hear your thoughts on your favourite combat systems/mechanics you've come across in games over the years. Cheers, and keep up the great work! Wilburhttps://bedroombattlefields.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-75857353116109043132021-03-09T17:00:05.445+01:002021-03-09T17:00:05.445+01:00Very interesting.
The difference with a re-roll o...Very interesting.<br /><br />The difference with a re-roll of course is that the decision as to whether to apply the modifier doesn't need to be made until after the first die roll (so it's not the same as rolling two dice together?). Might not need it if you are lucky the first time. TonyinBakuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623078535348853581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-7950797694290037292021-02-16T14:51:43.230+01:002021-02-16T14:51:43.230+01:00Interesting!
Personnaly (but that's me) I dis...Interesting!<br /><br />Personnaly (but that's me) I dislike re-rolls because they take more time, and also they tend to break the narrative (unless a realistic reason explains why a same action happens twice).<br /><br />My choice between a modifier, or rolling two (or three) dice at the same time, would also depend on the story. A positive modifier gives a feeling of strength & superiority; rolling two or three dice gives the impression of 2 or 3 very fast blows, or of multiple missiles.<br /><br />I know that it has nothing to do with probability...Patricehttp://www.argad-bzh.fr/argad/en.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-3510312366950533732021-02-08T11:26:25.820+01:002021-02-08T11:26:25.820+01:00Yes rerolls can take many different forms. I also ...Yes rerolls can take many different forms. I also feel rerolls as a mechanic are not as versatile as modifiers, esp when rolling vs a target number. But I can see games designers include rerolls for "variety" and adding more "special abilities" into the mix.Phil Dutréhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13607941040736764291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-18919278182646919782021-02-08T11:24:59.070+01:002021-02-08T11:24:59.070+01:00That's the idea :-)That's the idea :-)Phil Dutréhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13607941040736764291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-26563209214117672542021-02-08T10:50:29.827+01:002021-02-08T10:50:29.827+01:00I love this blog. This stuff matters in games, and...I love this blog. This stuff matters in games, and it's so well explained even an unmathematical type like me gets it.Ghasthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07401924351959645260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167571258925590870.post-37379441543256121272021-02-06T18:25:23.720+01:002021-02-06T18:25:23.720+01:00I think I mostly prefer modifiers - provided the n...I think I mostly prefer modifiers - provided the number of them is small - to re-rolls or rolling several dice and selecting the best - for the following reasons:<br /><br />Modifiers are contained in a list of significant factors which can be altered easily by crossing out or addition of new ones in draft.<br /><br />Re-rolls take more time.<br /><br />Rolling several dice obviously requires more dice (cost), a container so they don't scatter over the battlefield and/or damage the troops and take time to collect and check.<br /><br />OTOH, the option of re-rolling up to a number of times equal to the chances in one's favour, but having to accept the last roll, as used Strategos: An American Kriegsspiel, is simple to use and gives the player a decision to make, which could be regarded as representing committing more troops to a stalled attack - "One more charge, boys, and the day is ours!" - with all the attendant risks.arthur1815https://www.blogger.com/profile/12333670394529977263noreply@blogger.com