Amber flowchart

[Arref]

Please tell me what we can improve. I think it might be a good tool for all of us, especially GMs new to the game.

Flow chart guides for a new GM are a worthy idea.  This thread has interesting features to it.

My idea of improving this flow chart goes along with what many have mentioned.... and concerns value of primary attributes.

In your flow chart as is, you have basically equated advantages with attributes without any qualifier. By this I mean, higher strength = 1 advantage. I think this is logical, but not accurate to novels or game system --- because it raises a single advantage to equal with the legend of your points spent in bid on a primary attribute.

So for example, Corwin's advantages against Benedict in combat at the Black Road offsetting Benedict's primary attribute...
Ben is furious
Ben is unaware of the power of the black grass
Ben has to cut through saplings to get at Corwin

My point is that three advantages give Corwin a chance to 'even up'.
This goes along with Wujcik commentary in the rules. (Not specifically, but generally.)

So if your flow chart had a footnote that differences in ranks change the advantage of the primary by some multiple, then it would better model the rules choices.

Amber standard skill versus Gerard's Strength might require 8 advantages....etc, etc. YMMV

The next thing about the chart that I would note is that you tell a better story if you have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Thus I suggest you only know who wins if you run the flow chart three times.

So again, Corwin vs Benedict. You get a progression to that combat story.

First pass, Ben is furious, and Corwin retreats as quickly as he can.
Who is winning? Benedict.

Second pass, Ben is furious, and Corwin puts saplings between them, lines up on the black grass, gets ready to jump backwards, tries some tricky cuts at Ben.
Who is winning? draw, though it appears to be Benedict, Corwin gets injured.

Third pass, Ben is furious, Corwin springs his grass trap.
Who is winning? Corwin.

Overall, did Corwin win this fight? No. He ran away.  The advantages he played out worked with his strategy of getting the hell away from Ben.

For a trivial fight, a single run of the chart is fine. For a serious confrontation, I'd always run three passes. This also allows the "losing PC" to describe advantages that may allow them accumulate a reason to escape or lessen the loss.

[RPGPundit]

Flow chart guides for a new GM are a worthy idea.  This thread has interesting features to it.

My idea of improving this flow chart goes along with what many have mentioned.... and concerns value of primary attributes.

In your flow chart as is, you have basically equated advantages with attributes without any qualifier. By this I mean, higher strength = 1 advantage. I think this is logical, but not accurate to novels or game system --- because it raises a single advantage to equal with the legend of your points spent in bid on a primary attribute.

So for example, Corwin's advantages against Benedict in combat at the Black Road offsetting Benedict's primary attribute...
Ben is furious
Ben is unaware of the power of the black grass
Ben has to cut through saplings to get at Corwin

My point is that three advantages give Corwin a chance to 'even up'.
This goes along with Wujcik commentary in the rules. (Not specifically, but generally.)

So if your flow chart had a footnote that differences in ranks change the advantage of the primary by some multiple, then it would better model the rules choices.

Amber standard skill versus Gerard's Strength might require 8 advantages....etc, etc. YMMV

The next thing about the chart that I would note is that you tell a better story if you have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Thus I suggest you only know who wins if you run the flow chart three times.

So again, Corwin vs Benedict. You get a progression to that combat story.

First pass, Ben is furious, and Corwin retreats as quickly as he can.
Who is winning? Benedict.

Second pass, Ben is furious, and Corwin puts saplings between them, lines up on the black grass, gets ready to jump backwards, tries some tricky cuts at Ben.
Who is winning? draw, though it appears to be Benedict, Corwin gets injured.

Third pass, Ben is furious, Corwin springs his grass trap.
Who is winning? Corwin.

Overall, did Corwin win this fight? No. He ran away.  The advantages he played out worked with his strategy of getting the hell away from Ben.

For a trivial fight, a single run of the chart is fine. For a serious confrontation, I'd always run three passes. This also allows the "losing PC" to describe advantages that may allow them accumulate a reason to escape or lessen the loss.

That's some good analysis there!

[Croaker]

Yes, I like it too, and will try to make use of it