Quote:
Originally Posted by Atgxtg
Unless you treat it like combat and give the sneaker some benefit, but reduce it for the successful "Parry" of the defender. For instace the sneaker isn't detected but either didn't get to move (and has to try again), or inly gets part of the distance before he has to duck behind cover.
That sort of thing happens all the time.
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I've tended to do exactly this. If there's a tie, I use it to build the tension a bit and allow characters to make a choice before proceeding. I don't try to immediately resolve it. In the case of stealth vs. perception, I use success vs. success or failure vs. failure to generally have the guard notice something but not be definitive, so there's still a chance to sneak past the guard but the guard is now on the lookout for something. Both characters can make a decision from here. The guard moves toward the hidden character to investigate, perhaps, so the tie gave him something, but the character still hasn't be conclusively observed, so can choose to sneak off, throw a rock to distract the guard, hide deeper in the shadows, cast a spell, jump the guard, etc.
I've never run into a problem with this interpretation, and if all else fails we can just reroll to see what happens. (Note: I never call for a reroll without allowing a change in actions, tactics, etc.)
I also do interpret the difference in success levels as a determination of how successful the opposed action was, frequently resulting in the winning side having some sort of advantage in the subsequent interactions. A big success of the guard or sneaking character results in a starting advantage in combat, or in sneaking through and leaving no trace to find later, etc.
I find using the highest-under roll inelegant in a very distasteful way, and while largest success is perfectly fine I just don't see the point in bothering with it. I like ties during the game like this. They add something to the game with tension and choices that I like.