I'm about to have a go running White Star and I came across a reference in the White Star Companion to "if attribute checks are being used" - but I can't find any other reference to these. Is there one? I'm guessing it'd be d20 roll under Attribute like in Moldvay Basic, but some kind of d20+mod roll vs Save DC also looks possible.

Ability checks apparently go against the whole White Box ethos, where supposedly any character can do anything.

My guess is that reference just slipped in by accident and you should ignore it, because it's heresy to have it in a White Box game.


See for example

http://odd74.proboards.com/thread/12400/ability-checks

Quote from: JeremyR;972406Ability checks apparently go against the whole White Box ethos, where supposedly any character can do anything.

My guess is that reference just slipped in by accident and you should ignore it, because it's heresy to have it in a White Box game.


See for example

http://odd74.proboards.com/thread/12400/ability-checks

Well I think the ethos is "GM decides" - which can at least make the attributes relevant - or maybe "roll a d6, you succeed on a 1" - but there's no discussion of this either AFAIK. Back in the day I never used attribute checks in 1e AFAICR, but I've got used to using the Moldvay d20-roll-under in recent years.

OK after reading that link I have an idea which seems more white boxy than 'd20 roll under' (as well as weirdly modern):

Compare attribute + Level vs a target number, either set by GM (usually 10-20), or generated by rolling 3d6, 4d6 or 5d6. If equal or higher, then succeed.

Back in the Day we never rolled attribute checks, on d20 or otherwise. Of course back in the day we didn't have White Star either.

Quote from: S'mon;972399I'm about to have a go running White Star and I came across a reference in the White Star Companion to "if attribute checks are being used" - but I can't find any other reference to these. Is there one? I'm guessing it'd be d20 roll under Attribute like in Moldvay Basic, but some kind of d20+mod roll vs Save DC also looks possible.

I just see save rolls and attack rolls in the White Star rules.

I don't know the specific case for White Star; but one of the nice things about the OSR is that the GM can interchangeably make use of whatever  method he prefers.

Do you like (as I do) the D20+ability score modifier vs. DC (or sometimes D20+mod+level)? Use that.

Do you prefer D20 roll under ability score (sometimes with modifiers)? Use that.

Do you prefer roll 1d6, succeed on x (1/6, 3/6, 1+ability score mod/6, etc)? Use that.

Here's where I am currently:

Character Competence = Attribute (eg STR, normally 3-18) + Level (1-10 in White Star)

Task Difficulty is rolled:
Easy - 3d6
Medium - 4d6
Hard - 5d6
Very Hard - 6d6

If Competency equals or exceeds Difficulty, the attempt is successful!

Following lots of feedback, here is an extended table with Long Jump example. Current world record long jump  is 29'. I went with 1' = 1 point of Difficulty, so your DEX 3 Level 1 PC can jump ("step") a 4' gap.

Task Difficulty is rolled:
Very Easy - 2d6 - eg jump a 7' gap
Easy - 3d6 - eg jump a 10' gap
Medium - 4d6 - eg jump a 14' gap
Hard - 5d6 - eg jump a 17' gap
Very Hard - 6d6 - eg jump a 21' gap
Heroic - 7d6 - eg jump a 24' gap
Formidable - 8d6 - eg jump a 28' gap
Amazing - 9d6 - eg jump a 31' gap
King of the Impossible - 10d6 - eg jump a 35' gap

For White Star (or S&W White Box) a maxed-out PC with an 18 attribute (DEX in this case) & level 10 has a 28 on their check, same as the average result for Formidable, and on average can make a jump just under the current world record.