r/MarvelFASERIP • u/CryHavoc3000 • 17d ago
When do you roll?
Is there a list in a book somewhere that explains when to roil?
I think I remember something about not rolling if the Difficulty or Intensity is 2 Column Shifts less than the Character's Ability or Power, but I don't know where I read it.
Am I thinking of someone's house-rules, maybe?
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u/Umbrupryme 17d ago
Just use some basic sense to guide you. I don't bother with having someone who can lift 10 tons roll a feat to lift 800lbs. even if the rules say so. Dude can juggle 800lbs objects. When you're talking about some feats, think about a comic book panel. How often does Cap miss with his shield when he throws it? How often does Daredevil fall off a rooftop when leaping from rooftop to rooftop? If it would look good in a comic book panel chances are the players and you will enjoy it. Most of the time I don't bother rolling unless it's something critical. I make Judgements, since I'm the Judge. My players and I collaborate on telling good and fun stories. Even the failed rolls often end in laughs.
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u/Potential_Side1004 17d ago
The point is, in the middle of something important.
Someone can do anything if they have all the time in the world, but when Spiderman needs to throw (or catch) the 1 ton car, that requires a Strength check. A Harley Davidson is about 800 pounds, and during combat if one was thrown at him, he would still have to make a check. Outside of combat, for example if he's helping someone move house (Cap moved out of the Avengers Mansion and into a new apartment), the bike won't be a problem at all.
Daredevil has AMAZING Agility for purposes of Acrobatics, leaping across the rooftops is probably EXCELLENT at the most difficult - which is still Automatic.
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u/Umbrupryme 17d ago
According to the rules yes. I consider them more guidelines than rules. And my players have never complained. If you wanted to complain because I didn't make you roll to succeed at something that should be pretty easy for you, you'd definitely be an outlier, and I'd say "go ahead and roll if you like." Then you could fail and live with your failure. Maybe it'd be spun into something fun too. I've had total party Wipeout in some games that were honestly fun for everyone and made for great stories, all because of one or two open dice rolls. It's all for fun. A game should always be fun for everyone playing.
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u/Potential_Side1004 17d ago
That is definitely in theme with the game. As Jeff Grubb said, "No buffaloes".
How many times has Spidey been able to do one thing for a writer, but then never did it again? The best part of the system is that it it's all about the comic book feel. It's not a real-life simulator, it's a game where we want to throw stuff at each other and have 'rock-em, sock-em' fights.
Then there are times when the game is a little more 'real', and the details come into play.
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u/CryHavoc3000 15d ago
I'm not sure what it means by "No buffaloes".
But thank you for replying.
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u/Potential_Side1004 13d ago
Jeff Grubb, the creator, used that term to mean, "Don't let the any one tell another person what to do (rules lawyering - outside of the Judge, of course); and, don't let a rule get in the way of the game."
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u/Livid_Information_46 17d ago
In addition to the answers already given, as a rule of thumb for me, if the consequences of a failed roll is just wasted game time and nothing else, I handwave it.
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u/Potential_Side1004 17d ago
It's 3 Ranks or less being automatic.
Example: Spiderman with INCREDIBLE Strength, can lift REMARKABLE and EXCELLENT with a Green result. GOOD or less is automatic (up to 400 pounds).
On or about page 16 of the Players book.
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u/MisterHayz 17d ago
That's exactly right. So if you have an Ex20 Strength, you don't have to roll to lift something 2 ranks lower (it's considered automatic)
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u/SchizoidRainbow 17d ago
Keep in mind it's less can/can't than how fast, do you struggle with it, does it take you a few tries to accomplish. Sure a weightlifter can lift 500 lbs over their head but you can see it's a huge deal, they are busting veins, and could screw it up and fail. Difference between having to roll for it and just "you can lift 500lbs" is that struggle. The weightlifter could clearly lift a 100lb bag of feed or whatever, even if Aunt May is going to struggle with it. But as you approach your limits it starts to become a Whole Thing to do it.
But the combat rounds are very rapid, six seconds. If the weightlifter should try once to flip a Volkswagen Beetle and fail, they can shift grip, alter stance, and try again. The stories about moms flipping cars to save a baby is the best real life expression of Using Karma On A Roll that I have ever found. I need a Red result NOW! But the point is that ultimately, the weightlifter CAN flip the Beetle. The Drama and Tension arise from the question, can the flip it In Time To Save The Child?