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Restoring Player Agency -- Secret Skill Roll Tables

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  • SLATE
    SLATE


    6 years ago
    I know both some players and GMs do not like to remove player agency by having GMs do secret rolls, but also don't like having metagaming occur due to knowledge of a poor roll. Well, great news! I have a solution to just that!

    By using the tables in the attached file, you can have a player roll a percentile (d10 & d10 percentile) and give you the number, plus their bonus. Look up the number they rolled on the table you selected in advance, and see what they got, then add their bonus. Problem solved! The player rolled but doesn't know the true result. Each table is complete balanced, with 5 of each number between 1 and 20 and randomly generated, to ensure a better experience. There are 10 pre-filed tables total, plus 2 blank tables for you to customize. Be sure to balance them, each number between 1-20 should appear 5 tables, otherwise your table is not properly balanced and is less fair than a random die roll.

    Example of usage:

    GM: I have a secret Society skill check that I need you to roll. Please roll your percentile dice and tell me your society bonus.
    Player 1: (rolls) 73 and plus 4
    GM: (looks up 70 row and 3 column -- that's a 12 plus their 4 bonus is a 16. DC is 15, so they succeed) Got it! You know that [gives 1 piece of true info]
    Player 2: 14 and +4
    GM: (looks up 10 row and 4 column -- that's a 1 plus their 4 bonus is a 5. DC is 15, so they critically fail) Got it! You learn [gives them 1 piece of false info]

    Please leave any comments or feedback below.

    Updated August 20, 2019:

    secret_skill_check_roll_tables.pdf

    EXTRA:
    Want a unique table? I generate a random table every 10 minutes on the Rocky Mountain Pathfinder Society Lodge website right here
     
  • Pcrotteau
    Pcrotteau


    6 years ago
    This could definitely be a great (if not the best) answer. The PCs are rolling dice, but they have NO clue what the result gives them.

    Also uses the neglected percentile dice.

    Good Idea, nice execution.
     
  • thistledown
    thistledown


    6 years ago
    Oh, h*** no. I've been at a table where I had a clear roll on a will save that the whole table saw was a 19, then the GM declares that per his secret cypher sheet it means I fail, and then start attacking the party. If the GM want to roll for me, fine. But I don't want to ever see these secret cyphers again.
     
  • SLATE
    SLATE


    6 years ago
    That's a part of the reason I avoided using d20s. :)
     
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