On Wed, 19 May 2004 16:39:48 -0000, davehill47 <dave@...>
wrote:

> I think I follow the difference here, but the three concepts seem
> very interrelated, and it's not clear when a GM would choose one over
> another; the mix-and-match of "static/dynamic"
> and "contest/check/test" is more than a scosh confusing, too.
>
> Anyway, if I'm missing something here, please give a holler.

I interpret such things thus:

static vs. dynamic = unopposed vs. opposed
challenge vs. test = more than one roll vs. one roll

Hence, the GM would use those rolls in the following situations:

Static Test - When the character is performing an action at a set
difficulty that's simple enough to be handled in one roll (jumping across
a chasm)

Static Challenge - When the character is performing an action at a set
difficulty that's too complex to be resolved in one roll (disarming an
explosive)

Dynamic Test - When the character is actively opposed by some
person/force, or the conditions of the action are fluid enough to warrant
an opposed roll, but the action is simple enough to resolve in one roll
(two people trying to get their hands on something at the same time,
someone dodging a magical trap that's been sprung)

Dynamic Challenge - When the character is actively opposed by some
person/force, or the conditions of the action are fluid enough to warrant
an opposed roll, but the action is complex enough to require more than one
roll (combat, two people trying to hack each other's computer at the same
time, two people playing chess, disarming a self-aware explosive)

The reason why the sidebar also mentions a static contest as an optional
rule is because sometimes, people can be competing with each other and yet
not be actively affecting one another. The example given of a game of
darts is apt, because while you're trying to beat your partner, you're not
actively doing anything to hinder his progress. Two people running the
50-yard dash would be another example. So, as an option, you could have
them roll static tests against the same difficulty and compare MoS for the
winner, or in a challenge, simply declare the winner the one who gets to
the end of the challenge grid first.

Hope this was helpful.


-Landon Darkwood <darkwood@...>