Dice mechanics
Percentile (d100) checks in Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary
Roll under skill mechanics and difficulty bands.
Explanation
Percentile checks resolve by rolling d100 and succeeding at/under a target value. This mechanic is most directly associated with Call of Cthulhu-style play loops.
At the table (quick loop)
- Decide the effect and which Spheres apply.
- Roll your pool (often Arete with modifiers) and interpret successes as effect/scale.
- Track risk: Vulgar effects can generate Paradox and consequences.
Example: A coincidental effect is explainable; a vulgar effect is obviously impossible and carries higher risk.
Examples
Example: skill target
If a system uses percentile checks, roll d100 and succeed at/under the target value.
Example: fail forward
If the clue matters, don't block progress on failure. Trade success for time, noise, or a new complication.
Common mistakes (smallest fix)
- Mistake: Forgetting difficulty bands. Fix: Use Regular/Hard/Extreme (or your table’s bands) to express stakes quickly.
- Mistake: Failure stops the investigation. Fix: Fail forward: you still get something, but pay a cost.
Mage FAQ
What are Spheres in Mage M20?
How does Paradox work in Mage?
What's Arete in Mage?
What's the difference between Coincidental and Vulgar magic?
What are Traditions?