Reply To: Down with DRMs! A Modest Proposal

[theron]

This is a great topic and motivated me to create an account here.

I actually do prefer this approach of baking the modifiers into the target numbers. And I absolutely try and reduce the number of small math problems players have to crunch through to play a game. The problem though is it quickly falls apart as you add more modifiers.

For example if I normally pass a morale check on a 4+ and have modifiers for being elite and having a commander attached I can say that those situations push my roll down to 3+. But what if both apply? The roll should be 2+. The question is how to present this to the player. Which of these communicates more efficiently on a quick reference sheet?

Morale roll succeeds on 4+
+1 DRM for Elite Unit
+1 DRM for Commander Attached

 

or

Morale roll succeeds on 4+
Elite Unit succeeds on 3+
Commander Attached succeeds on 3+

Elite Unit with Commander Attached succeeds on 2+

 

You can imagine what happens when you add a third modifier…

 

Interestingly Flames of War moved from the traditional list of DRMs to a baked in target number with their version 4 rules. But this was only achievable because they now have a dedicated stat card for each unit where you can quickly look up the number needed. And even then there are still external modifiers such as being in cover that apply on top of the baked in value. It’s amazing how these apparently simple problems are tough to solve!