Nice post! Though, why did you not consider adjusting the target number? If using a d6, TNs of 4, 5, or 6 are easy to grasp (1/2, 1/3, 1/6 chance of success). I found that adjusting these two metrics is quite intuitive.
For example: my homebrew system uses a d6 pool for weapon attacks, with 1-3 dice inside it, depending on how good the weapon is (1d6 would be, like, a club, and 3d6 would be a zweihander.) The target number is set by the opponent's armor (4 for no armor, 5 for armor or shield, 6 for armor+shield or full plate). The amount of successes rolled is the amount of damage dealt.
I want to limit the number of adjustments to the pool. I chose number of dice for the scope of pool modification. It could be done other ways. Your way changes both number of dice and target number, but limits the changes to a very small set which is understandable.
How do you handle increasing skill, magical weapons, and other changes in power level, or is the system designed to work at one common level with the focus on shorter campaigns and a tight experience in that limited band?
I made the decision to break attack and damage resistance into two rolls because I found the damage resistance roll to be very impactful for my players. The cost in speed has been a reasonable trade off for making armor and toughness a player-facing roll. Every group will be different, and every style of game, but for the people I've played with over the years in action-adventure games that nod to realism without going into full simulation, the damage soak roll has been something players have been loath to part with.
This system is for attacks only, which (similarly to Cairn or Into the Odd) do not increase in power with the player. Ability saves use a separate system: d6 roll under. I'm also going for limited-to-no character advancement.
Nice post! Though, why did you not consider adjusting the target number? If using a d6, TNs of 4, 5, or 6 are easy to grasp (1/2, 1/3, 1/6 chance of success). I found that adjusting these two metrics is quite intuitive.
For example: my homebrew system uses a d6 pool for weapon attacks, with 1-3 dice inside it, depending on how good the weapon is (1d6 would be, like, a club, and 3d6 would be a zweihander.) The target number is set by the opponent's armor (4 for no armor, 5 for armor or shield, 6 for armor+shield or full plate). The amount of successes rolled is the amount of damage dealt.
Pretty quick, right?
I want to limit the number of adjustments to the pool. I chose number of dice for the scope of pool modification. It could be done other ways. Your way changes both number of dice and target number, but limits the changes to a very small set which is understandable.
How do you handle increasing skill, magical weapons, and other changes in power level, or is the system designed to work at one common level with the focus on shorter campaigns and a tight experience in that limited band?
I made the decision to break attack and damage resistance into two rolls because I found the damage resistance roll to be very impactful for my players. The cost in speed has been a reasonable trade off for making armor and toughness a player-facing roll. Every group will be different, and every style of game, but for the people I've played with over the years in action-adventure games that nod to realism without going into full simulation, the damage soak roll has been something players have been loath to part with.
This system is for attacks only, which (similarly to Cairn or Into the Odd) do not increase in power with the player. Ability saves use a separate system: d6 roll under. I'm also going for limited-to-no character advancement.
That's what I inferred from your description of the system. I am shooting for a power scaling less than Dungeons and Dragons, but more than flat.