Situation: whats your call?

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by Raellus

I've been reading a bunch of accounts of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq involving Humvees and, when the crews see the enemy first (which, unfortunately, doesn't happen that often), it's almost always the gunner that spots the threat before anyone else.

In this particular case the gunner, with his head out the top, has the best field of view, uninterrupted by the structure of the vehicle. Height may also have something to do with it.

In a BTR-80 for example where the gunner does not have their own hatch and vision is restricted to the gun sight and whatever they can see over the driver and commanders shoulders, they are the last one you want to make the roll.

[kcdusk]

Can i get some clarification: "drivers hatch" is the spot on the vehicle where the driver can drive, with his head and torso outside the vehicle, yes? Essentially the vehicle is buttoned up (hatches closed, maximum protection with less visibility) or travelling with hatches open (driver is raised in his seat with head and/or chest exposed).

Same applies for commander and gunner hatches.

[Legbreaker]

Yes, by hatch I mean the roof mounted door over the crew members position where they can ride with head (and perhaps more) exposed.
Some crew such as the Gunner in most MBTs do not have their own hatch, but have to wait until the commander has vacated his seat before exiting the vehicle.

[copeab]

I'll add that my personal preferences as a GM (in all the games I run) come into this.

The two points are:

1) If it's not impossible for a PC to do something, then he can try to do it. The chances may be incredibly low, but the chance is there.

2) Friendly NPCs don't get to roll to do something a PC (or more than one) have rolled and failed. NPCs shall not upstage PCs. If the PCs are expecting the NPC to do something (such as in a combat with a lot of soldiers, or he's an expert with a skill no PC possesses) then the NPC rolls normally.

So, if anyone in the HUMVEE is an NPC, I don't roll for for him until all the PCs who could roll have done so and failed.

[Legbreaker]

I sort of like how the original Shadowrun handled additional attempts at the same task - they made the target number for success harder each time.
Perhaps the same idea could be implemented for multiple people trying to spot - person with the best position/chance goes first with the task becoming increasingly harder for each one following (who's probably got their back turned anyway).