When you do an action where the outcome is uncertain—you roll the dice to find out what happens. You don’t need to roll the dice when it’s something the character could easily accomplish, and you shouldn’t roll the dice if it’s impossible. Try to be establish roughly what the consequences will be before rolling.

To make an action roll, we go through four steps. In play, they flow together somewhat, but let’s break each one down here for clarity.

1. The player states their goal for the action.
2. The player chooses the action rating.
3. The group sets the position and effect for the action.
4. Add bonus dice, roll and interpret

1. State a Goal

Your goal is the outcome you want your character to achieve when they overcome the obstacle at hand. Some example goals are “I want to sneak past the guard” or “I want to force open a window” In both cases the obstacle is entry to the building, what is different is the ability used.

2. Choose a Difficulty

Now, the rest of the group decide how difficult it would be to pull it off. There’s no definitive guide to choosing difficulties, you just make the choice that feels right to everyone at the table.

If your in doubt it’s probably a challenging situation, as you wouldn’t be rolling if there wasn’t a challenge involved. If they have a lot of obstacles in their way, it’s probably a difficult situation. If they have an advantage they can use, it’s probably easy an easy situation. As the player, if you disagree with a chosen position, ask the group how you could make it easier; or ask them to clarify the situation and explain their choice.

If you’re ever unsure about which position to pick, it’s probably a challenging situation. You wouldn’t be rolling if there wasn’t a challenge involved. If their plan seems reckless, then make it a desperate situation. If it’s a good plan, then make it a beneficial situation.

3. Consider Position & Effect

• Weaknesses (Vampire→Sunlight)
• Divine Influence (You Interfere)
• Ongoing Effects (Sneak in Darkness)
• Tool Quality (Fine vs Shabby)
• Scale (People Present)

4. Roll the dice

The symbol on the dice determines your degree of success. No matter what happens, the situation changes. It never stays the same, even when things are going smoothly.

• Blank: Your roll is a failure. You don’t do what you wanted to do, and things go wrong somehow
• Partial: Your roll is a partial success. You do what you wanted to, but with a cost, compromise, or complication
• Success: Your roll is a success. You do exactly what you wanted to do, without any additional headaches
• Critical : Your roll is beyond successful! You do exactly what you wanted to do, with some spectacular added bonus