Dice mechanics
Contested rolls in Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary
Opposed checks and ties.
Explanation
M20 opposed rolls compare Arete + Sphere pools when mages duel magickally, or relevant Attribute + Ability pools for mundane contests. Successes cancel one-for-one; the survivor's net successes determine effect.
Examples
Example: direct contest
Use opposed rolls when two actors directly compete (chase, grapple, deception vs insight). Resolve it quickly and move on.
Example: avoid unnecessary contests
If the opposition is passive (a lock, a cliff), use a DV/DC instead of rolling twice.
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Using contests for everything. Fix: Use contests only for direct opposition; use DV/DC for passive obstacles.
- Mistake: Re-rolling until someone wins. Fix: One contest should change the situation enough to move the scene forward.