Knave & PbP Implementation

The Game System
We will be using the Knave SRD which is the stripped down essentials of Ben Milton's Knave.

The reason I'm using the SRD is because much of the original Knave game contains tables and such that don't directly relate to the start of this game. So, it is the collection of rules and guidelines, rather than an assortment of tables, that are key for our game.

Rules Modifications for PbP
All things dealing with Character Creation will be addressed in a separate thread.

I'll call for all Saving Throws. This way there is minimal confusion between the need to assume a Saving Throw or an Opposed Save, etc.

I'll do "GM rolls" like Reaction Rolls in secret. Also, if your PC wouldn't know whether or not they succeeded then I will also roll in secret. For example, attempting to hide.

When needed, I'll roll Initiative for everyone for the entire game. Considering it is a simple d6 roll then it shouldn't be an issue. Whomever posts first on the "PC's turn" goes, well. . .first, as Initiative only instructs which "side" goes first.

Advancement will be handled in the Character Creation thread, but will basically be akin to "Milestone" advancement as we progress through our tale and should relate to the character's performance throughout the game.

In Combat PC's will roll for their own attacks (1d20 + STR or WIS Bonus vs Enemy Armor Defense) and PC's will also roll to defend using the optional rule in the core rules set of Knave. This would be 1d20 + Armor Bonus vs Attacker's Ability Defense.

We will use typical Advantage and Disadvantage for significant adjustments to difficulty or ease with certain checks. However, Advantage in Combat will still be treated separate and will function as outlined in the SRD or the core game.

~Consider this a "living document" that may be tweaked or altered as we play to better suit our needs.~

How are you handling spells?

Spells, and magic of that sort, when encountered will be dealt with primarily as outlined in Knave (the full game). Basically a PC will be able to cast spells of their level or less. Some spells may also use the level-less approach outlined in Knave.

To start with, our PCs haven't really encountered magic much, not perhaps beyond some sort of mild tribal shamanism. Or, at least that's what I was thinking. But. . .there will be magic to encountered, use, et cetera as we move along.

Sounds good!

I don't really get the attacking part.

Do you roll to hit vs AC?
Or does the target roll defense bonus vs attackers ability?

Or both, like a save after to hit (in which case most attacks will miss for sure)

This game uses the word "Defense" for both: "Armor Class +Modifier" and "Ability Score +Modifier". And the word "Bonus" in place of Modifier. Both Abilities and Armor have a "Bonus".

Instead of receiving a Modifier based on your ability score. This game calculated it in reverse. You receive an Ability Defense based on your Bonus... (Bonus +10=Defense) (for both Abilities and Armor)

Melee Attacks to Hit:
Yes, roll 1d20 and add your Strength Bonus vs a Monsters AC.
Missile Attacks to Hit:
Add Wisdom Bonus.

Save Checks:

Roll Strength save: 1d20(+Bonus) vs 15 to break a door. Greater than 15 Succeeds.

Roll Intelligence vs opponent Dexterity: 1d20+ Int Bonus vs opp Dex Defense (10+Bonus)
OR
Opponent rolls 1d20+ Dex Bonus vs your Int Defense (10+Bonus)

When you level up, you get 3 points of bonus to add wherever you want.
To a max of 10 at any one Ability.
OR
The GM can assign the points... I think that's an option...

Did I explain that correctly feanaro00?

The rule book gives the SAVE example of Intelligence vs Dexterity. A wizard trying to shoot a fireball at a goblin.

What's the Goblins Dexterity? I didn't know Goblins had Dex...

Oh, you're referring to where the Combat section says: "Alternatively, ..."
Guess I didn't need to type all that out. Maybe it was more for me than you! Hahaha

I see what you're saying now. I don't know why we would use the Monster rolling his AC vs our Strength... That seems unnecessary... A reverse "to hit"...? Why?

I read through my copy of Knave and both options you mention are available, depending on how you want to play. Here is how player-facing rolls work (defense vs. attack):
So, if the attacker has a 12 STR and is attacking with a sword, the defender would roll 1d20+[armor] vs. 12

The more traditional way is to roll 1d20+[bonus] vs. target AC.

I'm fine with either option honestly. Personally, I like player-facing rolls. It puts the player in control and in many cases works pretty well with PbP games. I know it's not for everybody though.

I think you did a swell job of that! Thanks.

Great suggestion with the player-facing option. I was looking over that just a few moments ago. We may indeed go that route. I'll update the fist post here soon with a few more details.

I made a few updates to the original post.

Combat

Advantage & Disadvantage . . . and Advantage in Combat

Monster turn:
GM: Monster attacks Jasper with Sword.
Me: I roll 1d20+Armor Bonus.
GM: Monster cuts Jasper's head off... (I failed roll)

* So I don't need to know the Monsters strength, GM does tho!

My turn:
Me: I fire my arrow at monster. I roll 1d20+(WIS Bonus).
GM: Jasper's arrow pierces through the eye of the Monster.
Me: I roll for Damage.

So whether we are on offense or defense, we will always make the "to hit" roll.

I like that!

That's what I was aiming for! If it works well for everyone we will give it a go that way.

Reaction? Morale? Surprise?

What about the section on Crits and Quality?
Do your monsters have weapon and armor quality? Do we?

Yep, that is the magic of player-facing rolls. And, in PbP games you can roll both your attack and defense in one post. Then it is up to the GM to decide if the defense roll applies (like if your attack killed the opponent, or something else happens). It helps keep things moving.

In fact, you can do stuff like this:

Me:
I fire my arrow at monster. I roll attack: 1d20+[WIS bonus] damage: 1d6
I roll to defend against his counter attack: 1d20+[armor bonus]

GM:
Jasper's arrow pierces through the eye of the Monster, but it manages to launch a fireball that lights Jasper on fire!

It's really a matter of preference though. We don't have to post everything at once if @feanaro00 would rather have us roll defense separately. That's totally cool too. It just gives you a lot of flexibility in how to run the game.

Yeah rolling damage for a miss seems silly, but in pbp it's kinda necessary I'm guessing...

That sounds efficient.
My turn:
Attack roll
Damage roll
Defend roll

I like it!