Posted October 08, 2020
EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to tag this with [BG3].
First of, I would have posted this on the Larian forums but albeit my account being verified "Login Name/Password not found." so this one's on you.
1) Improvement
As of right now how the dice roll works is that it will subtract any modifiers from the DC and the outcome leaving you with nothing but the bare roll. That's no good. It makes me feel like anyone could have done this decision in my place with the exact same outcome. I know that anyone could have done the exact same thing but the feeling is a different one when I see how much or little luck was involved achieving this outcome by simply displaying any modifiers added.
I am aware that the modifiers are displayed when you hover over the skill in the dialogue and the roll itself (attachment 1 & 2) but that is not the only time I want to see them.
Process of skill checks in tabletop D&D: you look up your modifier to see how badly you need RNGsus on your side, you pray for a good roll, you apply the modifier and hope the DM was in a good mood when he came up with that encounter 5 minutes ago
The only time you don't have to apply your modifiers is on a NAT1 and NAT20 - unless the DM goes "NAT20 and ...?" then you know your into deep shit. EDIT: Consulting the PHB that's not an official but a popular house rule. Maybe adopt it? *wink wink*
The UI change:
Very simple. Instead of subtracting the character's modifiers from the "Target" call it what it is, "DC", and give the total (in this instance DC 10). Keep the die as it is 'cause a D20 can't go beyond 20 and simply add the modifier total to the right of it (in this case +1).
2) Alternative Implementation
This is supposed to be optional 'cause I have to assume there are people who want to know the DC they have to beat.
On top of the small changes stated above give us the option to hide the DC. In tabletop D&D all the tension of skill checks lies in the unknown. Your DM will tell you "make an Intelligence check" or "roll for Intelligence". They will never tell you the DC 'cause failing an easy check is really depressing and telling you how absurdly high the DC is may discourage the player.
Solution:
Give an option to hide the DC and with it the "failed" or "passed" visualisation (attachment 3). I don't need to know whether my roll failed or passed the DC, I will know what happens next anyway. I will not gather the information I sought or I make the merchant give me his wares and pay me cause that was frightening the way I said it.
There is a line of text after every check in Baldur's Gate 3 that will tell me the outcome of the roll and what that means for my character in a non binary way.
The UI change:
Hide the "Target/DC", show me the D20 and the modfier total next to it. Let me roll. Give me the result of the roll and let me click "Continue". That's it. Nothing has to be changed just an option that hides everything that is either redundant or discouraging.
First of, I would have posted this on the Larian forums but albeit my account being verified "Login Name/Password not found." so this one's on you.
1) Improvement
As of right now how the dice roll works is that it will subtract any modifiers from the DC and the outcome leaving you with nothing but the bare roll. That's no good. It makes me feel like anyone could have done this decision in my place with the exact same outcome. I know that anyone could have done the exact same thing but the feeling is a different one when I see how much or little luck was involved achieving this outcome by simply displaying any modifiers added.
I am aware that the modifiers are displayed when you hover over the skill in the dialogue and the roll itself (attachment 1 & 2) but that is not the only time I want to see them.
Process of skill checks in tabletop D&D: you look up your modifier to see how badly you need RNGsus on your side, you pray for a good roll, you apply the modifier and hope the DM was in a good mood when he came up with that encounter 5 minutes ago
The only time you don't have to apply your modifiers is on a NAT1 and NAT20 - unless the DM goes "NAT20 and ...?" then you know your into deep shit. EDIT: Consulting the PHB that's not an official but a popular house rule. Maybe adopt it? *wink wink*
The UI change:
Very simple. Instead of subtracting the character's modifiers from the "Target" call it what it is, "DC", and give the total (in this instance DC 10). Keep the die as it is 'cause a D20 can't go beyond 20 and simply add the modifier total to the right of it (in this case +1).
2) Alternative Implementation
This is supposed to be optional 'cause I have to assume there are people who want to know the DC they have to beat.
On top of the small changes stated above give us the option to hide the DC. In tabletop D&D all the tension of skill checks lies in the unknown. Your DM will tell you "make an Intelligence check" or "roll for Intelligence". They will never tell you the DC 'cause failing an easy check is really depressing and telling you how absurdly high the DC is may discourage the player.
Solution:
Give an option to hide the DC and with it the "failed" or "passed" visualisation (attachment 3). I don't need to know whether my roll failed or passed the DC, I will know what happens next anyway. I will not gather the information I sought or I make the merchant give me his wares and pay me cause that was frightening the way I said it.
There is a line of text after every check in Baldur's Gate 3 that will tell me the outcome of the roll and what that means for my character in a non binary way.
The UI change:
Hide the "Target/DC", show me the D20 and the modfier total next to it. Let me roll. Give me the result of the roll and let me click "Continue". That's it. Nothing has to be changed just an option that hides everything that is either redundant or discouraging.
Post edited October 08, 2020 by GrizzledLone