When I design a house rule, I usually attempt to find every mention of a specific mechanic, similar mechanics, and so on that relate to what I intend to do with said house rule and to double check if said rule even needs implemented - then testing to see if it performs as I want it to.
I'm hoping I've just overlooked it, but I cannot seem to find any reference to taking 10 or 20 on an Ability check - only Skill checks. This is relevant to me, as I'm working on a "Feat of Strength" mechanic to solve something I perceive as an issue (albeit a minor one) with Strength checks and, for example, busting down doors. The thread which got me thinking about this is here. I'd made a suggestion and ultimately, didn't like it, so went hunting for a solution.
I searched through several other d20-based game systems I own and finally found a feat in the Saga Edition of Star Wars which accomplishes what I want, but I don't want to make it a feat. I'm going to tie it to the Strength entry, i.e. if the character has a Strength of X, he may perform a feat of strength. The following is the edited/modified version of what I seek to accomplish:
Feat of Strength A character with a Strength of 15 or greater may draw on inner reserves of physical power to perform great feats of strength. As a full-round action, you can take 20 on a single Strength check, if even you are distracted or threatened. You may attempt a feat of strength a number of times per day equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 0). After attempting a feat of strength for the first time in a given day, make a DC 15 Endurance check (as a free action). If the check succeeds, the attempt does not count against your feat of strength attempts for the day.
Relevant Notes
1. The idea is this is usable by all with the minimum Strength rating.2. I haven't decided whether it should be "take 10" or "take 20" or start off as "take 10" and increase to "take 20" at a higher Strength rating.
3. Endurance is a skill we adopted to cover many Constitution-based checks from Star Wars Saga Edition. In essence, treat it as an ability check (or refer to Kirthfinder, I think he uses a similar mechanic).
Any assistance, be it with regard to a page number on taking 10/20 with ability checks or the mechanics listed above are appreciated.
Bump 1.
|
well,
i don't like that it is for only ST 15 - too much like a feat
i don't like that it is based daily on CON mod - too much like a feature
but i like the concept.
maybe it is usable by any ST and incurs fatigue/exhaustion if you fail a CON check?
or maybe it is a ST DC 15 to try in the first place?
then you could design a feat or a trait to expand upon this base?
another idea.
maybe each stat has a special application that is only usable if the stat is your highest stat (choose one if tie)?
I appreciate the feedback.
Okay, taking some of your comments/suggestions into consideration, how's the following?
Feat of Strength A character with a Strength of 10 or greater may draw on inner reserves of physical power to perform great feats of strength. As a full-round action, you can take 10 on a single Strength check, even if you are distracted or threatened. After attempting a feat of strength, make a DC 15 Endurance check (as a free action). If the check fails, you are fatigued for a number of rounds equal to the DC of the Strength check. A fatigued character may attempt a feat of the strength, but becomes exhausted instead. A Feat of Strength may not be attempted while exhausted.
|
|
fatigue should be minutes not rounds.
sometimes my friend hires me to lift heavy stuff (he's a professional hauler/mover) like furniture down stairwells and most of it is not too bad but sometimes after moving something ridiculous like a giant dresser or couch i can feel my grip strength shot for a few minutes and i have to switch it up with light loads...
So if your Dexterity is really high, then what you have, is great strength of feat!
/sorry, couldn't resist the Men in Tights plug
I've been resisting the same thing since I posted it. "If you need anything, just scream! We're so busy this time of year!"
Re: Rain - edited for minutes, and while it's been a long time since I've done work like that, I remember it sucking.
Feat of Strength A character with a Strength of 10 or greater may draw on inner reserves of physical power to perform great feats of strength. As a full-round action, you can take 10 on a single Strength check, even if you are distracted or threatened. After attempting a feat of strength, make a DC 15 Endurance check (as a free action). If the check fails, you are fatigued for a number of minutes equal to the DC of the Strength check. A fatigued character may attempt a feat of the strength, but becomes exhausted instead. A feat of strength may not be attempted while exhausted.
I still feel like the minimum Strength required should be higher. Maybe 11, i.e. on the edge just before actual bonuses begin?