Dice mechanics
Percentile (d100) checks in Draw Steel
Roll under skill mechanics and difficulty bands.
Explanation
Percentile checks resolve by rolling d100 and succeeding at/under a target value. This mechanic is most directly associated with Call of Cthulhu-style play loops.
At the table (quick loop)
- Build your pool from the relevant traits.
- Roll and count successes according to the system’s thresholds.
- Apply consequences and record changes on the sheet.
Example: Treat every roll as a decision: success advances, failure changes the situation.
Examples
Example: skill target
If a system uses percentile checks, roll d100 and succeed at/under the target value.
Example: fail forward
If the clue matters, don't block progress on failure. Trade success for time, noise, or a new complication.
Common mistakes (smallest fix)
- Mistake: Forgetting difficulty bands. Fix: Use Regular/Hard/Extreme (or your table’s bands) to express stakes quickly.
- Mistake: Failure stops the investigation. Fix: Fail forward: you still get something, but pay a cost.
Draw Steel FAQ
How do Power Rolls work in Draw Steel?
What are edges and banes in Draw Steel?
What are the classes in Draw Steel?
How does culture work in Draw Steel?