Thread: Opposed skill rolls

Hey, I'm a noob to BRP but already a big fan of the system.
I haven't played it yet but am planning on GMing soon as the others in my group are just players...
Anyway I have a question about opposing skill rolls.
In the golden book there is an example of a character using hide verses another using spot. It reads that the hiding character rolls a success and the spotter rolls a special success. That the hiders success reduces the spotters special success to a normal success even though the spotter rolled a better success rate.
Is this an error? Seems to me the special success should reduce the hiders success to a fail...
I would love some examples of why this is the case, if you please?
I'm pulling my hair trying to figure it all out.
Thanks in advance!

Is it 2013 already? Time for the yearly debate
The mechanics for opposed rolls are a bit on the clunky side.
This is what the above says:
the hider succeeds with a normal success( 1 level of success ), the spotter rolls a special success(effectively 2 levels of success). As the spotter rolled a better level of success, he wins the opposed roll.
However, he can't reap the benefits of that special result, as the hider's success reduces his result by one grade.

Urgh.. I don't know if that made any kind of sense...
I recommend just using the blackjack-method. It's quickest and easiest, at least for me.

Originally Posted by Baragei

the hider succeeds with a normal success( 1 level of success ), the spotter rolls a special success(effectively 2 levels of success). As the spotter rolled a better level of success, he wins the opposed roll.
However, he can't reap the benefits of that special result, as the hider's success reduces his result by one grade.

Yep, Spotter's 2 successes minus Hider's 1 success leaves 1 success for the Spotter,
which is why he wins and spots the Hider.

However, there are at least a dozen different ways to handle Opposed Skill Rolls, and
I have little doubt that you will have all of them mentioned in this thread, because Op-
posed Skill Rolls are a favourite subject of this forum's discussions.

Originally Posted by rust

Yep, Spotter's 2 successes minus Hider's 1 success leaves 1 success for the Spotter,
which is why he wins and spots the Hider.

However, there are at least a dozen different ways to handle Opposed Skill Rolls, and
I have little doubt that you will have all of them mentioned in this thread, because Op-
posed Skill Rolls are a favourite subject of this forum's discussions.

So ... if I oppose this discussion, what do I have to roll?

Originally Posted by seneschal

So ... if I oppose this discussion, what do I have to roll?

An Opposed Skill Roll of your Threadkiller skill versus the forum's Uphold Tradition skill
should do, but keep in mind that the forum's Uphold Tradition skill is above 100%.

Blackjack?
I guess what my problem is is this:
Why is the sneak gaining a benefit from failing to beat the spotters superior roll?
If the spotter rolled a regular success and the sneaker rolled special, would the sneaker be penalized as well?
What if they both roll vanilla success?
I've been trying to wrap my head around this or come up with a house rules version, like maybe both roll d100+ their skill score, whoever wins, well, wins. Suggestions?
Was mentioned that this was a favorite topic, could someone link me to a thread?
How do other GMs handle this? Does this single post give me a bonus to my ForumTroll score?
Yes, I will surely have many more questions for you good patient folks.

Oh!!!! I'm trying too hard!
What the premise is, is that yes, the spotter wins, he just loses the added benefit of the "special" success...yes?

Originally Posted by tooley1chris

Oh!!!! I'm trying too hard!
What the premise is, is that yes, the spotter wins, he just loses the added benefit of the "special" success...yes?

Yup

Originally Posted by tooley1chris

Blackjack?

Opposed rolls: whoever rolls highest, but under his skill wins. Barring any trumping by critical and special results.

Originally Posted by tooley1chris

Was mentioned that this was a favorite topic, could someone link me to a thread?

Here you go:
Opposed Rolls and Success Levels