Sajan and the Blessing of Gorum - Str or Dex in combat?

[Cheez]

Hi Guys,

So this q came up in our lunch hour game.

Sajan's ability reads: "When you attempt a check without playing a weapon, you may use your Dexterity die instead of your Strength die."

The Blessing of Gorum reads: "Discard this card to add 2 dice to a Strength-based combat check."

Our question is: Is Sajan's check still Strength based (which would allow him to use the 2 dice for the Strength-based Blessing of Gorum? Or, because he swapped to Dex, is the combat check no longer Strength based?

Thanks in advance for the Wisdom +2,

Ben

[pluvia33]

From the FAQ:

When Sajan uses his power to make a combat check without using a weapon, is it a Dexterity or Strength check?

Dexterity. When using this power, Sajan's combat checks benefit from cards like Blessing of Erastil and Belt of Incredible Dexterity, but not from cards like Blessing of Gorum or Belt of Giant Strength.

Resolution: On Sajan’s character card and both sides of his role card, change the first power under his hand size to the following:
"For your combat check, you may roll your Dexterity die (▢ and add the Magic trait) (▢ and the Fire trait); you may not play a weapon on the check."

[Cheez]

Thanks, pluvia33.

[Daarck]

Cheez wrote:

Sajan's ability reads: "When you attempt a check without playing a weapon, you *may* use your Dexterity die instead of your Strength die."

Hi Ben - In that instance wouldn't you just choose not to use Sajan's unarmed/Dex power, and so default to Strength for the sake of the extra dice? Melee rolls are Strength until changed by power/ condition and Sajan's power to switch to Dex is a choice he *may* make, unless I'm reading it wrong (eminently possible).

[h4ppy]

@Daarck - it is Sajan's choice but the choice is between:

DEX based check + 1 die = 2d10
or
STR based check + 2 dice = 3d6

Which you prefer is up to you and the situation you're facing.

[Lostblade]

Quote:

DEX based check + 1 die = 2d10

or
STR based check + 2 dice = 3d6

2d10:

Min: 2
Max: 20
Range: 18
Avg: 11
STD: 4.06
68% of your rolls will be between 7 and 15
95% of your rolls will be between 3 and 19 (kinda duh I know)

3d6:
Min: 3
Max: 18
Range: 15
Avg: 11 (10.5)
STD: 3 (2.96)
68% of your rolls will be between 8 and 14
95% of your rolls will be between 5 and 17

What does this mean?

You have a better CHANCE of rolling a high number if you go with Gorum but you'll never be able to roll as high as if you went with his ability. Which is better depends entirely on the situation and just how LUCKY you feel. ;)

** This math moment brought to you by "Bordem at Work", and by the letter "G" **

[Cheez]

Hahaha - Good stuff, Lostblade. Excellent Q, Daarck. We didn't even consider going with strength and the 3d6 h4ppy mentioned. I'll have to keep that option in my head for future cases.

Typically Unlucky Ben