Wayne pointed out today that B1 has at least one roll-under 3d6 stat check. I took a look at the original Holmes version (1978), and found it in the Room of Pools. It's a CON check vs the effects of wine, with a failed roll resulting in intoxication for a number of hours equal to the difference between the result and the con score.
Holmes uses 3d6 checks in the pseudo-D&D RPG he presents in his 1981 book, but this is the first I've seen in any actual Holmes Basic product, and the earliest I've seen in a D&D product so far. I wouldn't be surprised if it shows up somewhere earlier though, such as Alarums & Excursions.
It's interesting because it's a perfectly sensible system but unlike the d20 system in the Cook/Marsh book it's not really formalized anywhere. I wonder if many referees actually used it out of B1.
ReplyDeleteI must play test this. It sounds like it might be a good thing to use in BLUEHOLME™
ReplyDeleteI followed up with a post today on the early history of 3d6 stat checks. I noticed that Holmes states that his 3d6 stat checks in the introductory game in his FRPG book come directly from Melee/The Fantasy Trip:
ReplyDeletehttp://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2013/09/3d6-stat-checks.html
Wayne Rossi Seems unlikely that too many referees adapted the 3d6 roll directly from B1 since it's presented as such a situation specific rule for magical wine. Plus there are so many competing ability score influenced rules in B1 - like most of D&D at the time - that it doesn't stand out.
ReplyDeleteHolmes' statement regarding his 3d6 stat checks coming from Melee also explains why they don't appear anywhere in the Holmes Basic rulebook. He has a type of constitution check in Room H in the Sample Dungeon - if he'd known about the 3d6 checks at the time he might have included it here.
ReplyDeleteUpdate: I remembered reading on DF about a few 3d6 stat checks in the Player's Handbook. This book came out in 1978 several months before B1. As with the B1, they are very situation specific: Dig and Phantasmal Killer spells. Full quotes added to my post linked above.
ReplyDeleteThe 3d6 roll-under Int appears in the original description of Phantasmal Killer in the Illusionist write-up in Strategic Review #4, Winter 1975. This is the earliest one I've found so far. Neat because it's for OD&D.
ReplyDelete