Simple Conflict Resolution

Every RPG needs a conflict resolution system of some sort; it's what distinguished it from the 'I shot you!' 'no, you missed!' 'nuh-uh!' ad nauseum of childhood games of 'pretend'.

In general, when taking an action, you roll an octahedral die (1d8 using the commonly accepted notation), and add the result to the sum of two attributes plus any modifiers and possibly level, and compare the results to a Difficulty.

If the result of your roll is less than or equal to the Difficulty, you fail.

If the result of your roll is higher than the Difficulty, you succeed.

For opposed actions, the Difficulty is usually two of the opponent's attributes, plus modifiers and possibly level, plus 4. This addition of 4 means that when a character is opposed by an exactly equal opponent, his chance of success or failure is 50/50.

Standard Roll

1d8 + attribute + attribute + modifiers + level?

vs.

Difficulty

4 + attribute + attribute + modifiers + level?