Ref: Errata v2.21, Player's Guide, and Ref's Guide
=============================
I. Ref's Manual Errata:
------------------------
Page 13, left column, Fateful Tasks (correction): The last paragraph should read as follows:
On a fateful task, if failure occurs, roll 2D on the Mishap Table. If the task is listed as fateful and hazardous, roll 3D
on the Mishap Table.
II. From Ref's Guide p12
-----------------------------
Automatic Failure: If the roll is a natural 2 (regardless of DMs), a fumble occurs and the task attempt fails. On a hazardous task, a mishap occurs on exceptional failure. On a fateful task, a mishap always occurs when the task does not succeed (whenever any level of failure occurs).
III. From the Ref's Guide p13, in description of Hazardous:
------------------------------------------------------------------
On a hazardous task, a 2D mishap occurs on exceptional failure. A fumble mishap on a hazardous task is a 3D mishap.
IV. From the Ref's Guide p14:
--------------------------------------
The basic task assumes the tas requires the specified skills to avoid increased difficulty. The task outcome is certain and the task involves a mild risk of mishap. Other types of risk are possible.
V. From Ref's Guide p13
-------------------------------
Safe: With some tasks, if a mishap occurs, it is never damaging; such tasks are safe. On a safe task, if a fumble occurs, the mishap type is always Superficial (1D) so no roll on the Mishap Table is required.
VI. From the Ref's Guide p 14:
-----------------------------------------
"If the task roll is exactly 2 (disregarding MDs), a fumble mishap occurs. On a hazardous task, a mishap occurs on exceptional failure. On a fateful task, a mishap always occurs when the task does not succeed (whenever any level of failure occurs)."
VII. From the Ref's Guide p 14:
--------------------------------------------
MISHAPS
If a mishap occurs, roll 2D on the Mishap Table. If the task is hazardous and a fumble mishap occurs (TomB:2 natural 1s on the dice), roll 3D on the Mishap Table. If the task is listed as fateful and hazardous, roll 3D on the Mishap Table.
==========================
To interpret these all together, the following clarification seems useful:
- Rolling a natural two (2, snake eyes) is a Fumble.
- A Fumble Mishap is a Mishap triggered by a Fumble on the Task attempt.
- On a Fateful task, no matter the level of failure, a mishap occurs.
- On a Fateful task, roll 2D on the Mishap Table.
- On a Hazardous Task, an exceptional failure rolls 2D on the Mishap Table.
- On a Hazardous Task, a Fumble rolls 3D on the Mishap Table.
- On a Fateful and Hazardous task, roll 3D on the Mishap Table.
- A Safe task only ever generates a Mishap on a Fumble and even then it is only a Superficial (1D) Mishap; Other results on a Safe task do not have a Mishap.
Question:
In a normal task (not labelle Safe, Hazardous, or Fateful or any combination of those), what causes a Mishap? I see no text that says when a Mishap happens in this normal case nor how a Fumble would affect the Mishap level if at all.
If the answer is 'no mishap', then why does source IV above suggest that there is a chance of mishap on a standard task? If the answer is no mishap on standard tasks, why does a Fumble on a Safe task trigger a Superficial (1D) mishap?
Suggestion / Addition:
To fit in between "Safe with Superficial 1D Mishap on Fumble" and "Hazardous" (2D Mishap on exceptional failure, nothing on regular failure, and 3D Mishap on Fumble), I think a regular task must look like:
- 1D Mishap on an Exceptional Failure and 2D Mishap on a Fumble, no Mishap otherwise.
That fits nicely in between the 1D Mishap on Fumble but nothing else of Safe and 2D Mishap on Exceptional Failure with 3D Mishap on Fumble for Hazardous.
I don't see that spelled out anywhere though.
Or does someone want to argue for some other definition of when mishaps happen and how many dice are rolled for a no-Safe/Fateful/Hazardous tasks?
Clarification:
The section from page 14 on MISHAPS says if a mishap occurs, roll 2D on the mishap table. That sentence should end with "...except in the following circumstances:" or "... except for the cases to follow." which then are laid out (hazardous fumble, fateful and hazardous).
UNRELATED COMBAT THING:
The rules in MT cover 'Rapid Fire' (empty your clip, get three primary targets, up 1 difficulty). I recall seeing in one of the DGP Q&As or maybe it was in another place but it was by one of the MT authors that allowed using the rules about Hasty (up 1 difficulty level) in a combat setting - you got two shots off (not the hole mag, but snapshots) at 1 difficulty up and you may have got a second primary target. Not quite as damaging, but it didn't leave you out of ammo. I think if we can find the citation, this might go in as an addendum in the errata if it came from the creators of MT. It's pretty useful and reasonable comparison to normal fire and rapid fire which are already present.
--
“The only stable state is the one in which all men are equal before the law.”
―
Aristotle