Degrees of Success

are a game mechanic that was introduced in Aeldrum Dungeons & Dragoons 2nd Edition.
== Game Mechanics ==
=== Skill Checks ===
The results of skill checks are not only measured by meeting a Difficulty Class but by the extent to which the result exceeds or falls short of DC. These are degrees of success or failure. Degrees of success and failure occur are incremented for every five points by which a DC is failed or exceeded. For example, a character makes a skill check against a DC of 15, resulting in a 23, which constitutes two degrees of success. A result of 15 would have been one degree of success, a result of 14 one degree of failure. Greater degrees of success and failure correspond to more positive and negative results, at the DM’s discretion. Some guidelines are outlined in the following table.
Degree 	Guideline
3 Degrees of Failure	The check should fail utterly and, if possible, with catastrophic unexpected consequences.
2 Degrees of Failure	The check surely fails, and it may carry unexpected second order consequences.
1 Degree of Failure 	The check may still succeed but with modest drawbacks or some parts of the objective unsatisfied. Otherwise, the check should fail with only modest consequences outside of those directly stemming from failure.
1 Degree of Success 	The basic objective of the check is achieved. Expected outcomes should mostly hold unless compelling outside reasons apply.
2 Degrees of Success	The check succeeds, possibly yielding better results than would be expected.
3 Degrees of Success	The check is a complete success, easily exceeding all reasonable expectations.
=== Opposed Skill Checks ===
Rolling against another character (or other entity) may mean rolling against that character’s resistance or against the result of their roll(s). If rolling against a large number of opponents, a player character may roll against the most capable opponent with all others aiding. Degrees of success and failure are realized as usual.
=== Combat ===
Degree of Success 	Effect vs. Resistance 	Effect vs. Skill
3+ Degrees of Failure: Bad Miss	Miss and adverse secondary effects. 	Counterstrike/Disarm
2 Degrees of Failure: Miss 	Miss, possibly strike wide and threaten another.	Counterstrike
Degree of Success 	Effect vs. Skill & vs. Resistance
1 Degree of Failure: Near Miss 	Miss (possibly indirect damage from area of effect)
1 Degree of Success: Glancing Hit 	If rolling damage vs. HP, roll base damage (no ability bonus)
If rolling damage vs. wound points, deal 1 damage per die of base damage.
Poisons etc. still apply.
2 Degrees of Success: Direct Hit 	Apply base and full damage to HP or WP.
3 Degrees of Success: Critical Hit	Apply base and ability damage twice.
Each additional degree of success.	Apply base and ability damage again.
Category: Game Mechanics