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Pilot Vehicles
Mon, 03/11/2013 - 5:42am | 
mikeawmids
In the Barebones Fantasy settings, how would you handle the management/control of a vehicle?
For riding a horse, I'm considering either Scout or a straight Dex roll, maybe?
For a cart, straight Dex again?
A rowboat, either Dex or Strength (using the oars), and for a frigate or something larger with a big crew, maybe Leader?
I'm thinking Dex is probably the way to go, with penalties to reflect familiarity with the vehicle, speed, difficult terrain and other factors. Any thoughts?
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Personally, I don't "believe in" rolling for mundane stuff. Presumably riding an ordinary horse at a normal pace is normal for characters at the time, so I would just do a MOV action and assume automatic success.
But I would make them roll in unusual or "cinematic" situations. Riding a wild horse would be an animal handling (scout) roll. Riding a trained horse at gallop in a chase over roads would be a DEX+20 not to fall off. Riding a trained horse over rough terrain would be a DEX roll not to fall off.
For a horse and cart, I'd think about whether it's reasonable to assume that its a mundane action for the character - if so, no roll...if not, scout for animal handling.
Boats, same thing - a rowboat on a calm lake, like a fishing trip, would be an everyday thing, so no roll. Kayak through rapids would be a STR or DEX roll, which ever is better.
So I think you're on the same track I am, in general, but I would save the rolls for the game-changing actions and let the ordinary stuff just go by.
What frizbog said.
What frizbog said.
Though, I draw a distinction between mundane piloting and hotdog piloting. A fighter or jetcopter pilot needs special training, hands down. A standard airplane or helicopter pilot only needs a license. A stunt driver needs special training, just driving around town only needs a drivers license.
So I say a special skill is needed for hotdog piloting. I came up with a pilot in the Steamroller rules. It's called Gear Grinder, designed for the steampunk setting.