Changing the RNG from 1d20 to 2d10

[kyrt-ryder]

This topic came up as a slight derail in another thread that's now been locked [no, not because of this derail >_<.] Regardless, I've been using 2d10 instead of 1d20 for years in my campaigns and really enjoy the benefits of doing so [far less swingy and cleaner distribution] but I am curious to hear other people's thoughts on it.

I mentioned I do crits a bit differently, using 19-20, 18-20 and 17-20 as the critical numbers, critical threats that overcome AC being automatic automatic crits. Improved Critical/Keen increases the threat range by 1 notch [So a Keen Rapier would crit on 15% of hits.]

To which Ashiel replied the quote below, making me wonder what other drawbacks people might find with this system.

Ashiel wrote:

I don't think a game without confirmations would be for me. The threat doesn't even matter if it was going to miss anyway, and the auto-success makes a lot of really great abilities useless and redundant, and it nerfs armor.

In reply, I find the game flows smoother and players tend to appreciate not having a gamble on whether or not their crit threats confirm. Regarding those other abilities? Don't need 'em anymore, I can replace them with other cool s%$# or- in the case of feats- simply clear them from the game.

EDIT: if anybody has any positive experiences/thoughts you're more than welcome to share them as well.

[Pseudos]

The problems I feel lie with a d20 are all attributed to too much randomness; With 2d10, you've skewed the randomness, not reduced it. its now much harder to critical fail of critical, but now instead of 1/10th time an event happens, you get 1/50th the time an event happens. You do admit to using larger crit rules, but it's still not the same.

If you've got to switch, I approve of the modifier+d(20-modifier) method. d12s are my person poison, with a smaller amount of randomness, but it still fundamentally changes the way the game plays. I use this when it shouldn't be possible to fail as poorly as a 1; though critical failure confirms still occur.

If we did use your system, and the critical was for 17-20, I'd have higher numbers count as echoed criticals; 17 would be a x2, and each number above that would deal more.

We ultimately returned to the d20, but good for you for making the bold switch.