Flux Check System

#systemRPG #mechanics #dice

Flux Check System

Core Mechanic

Flux Check - The primary resolution mechanic using d6 dice pools where outcomes are determined by the face value:

  • 1-2: Failure (removes one success from the total)
  • 3-4: Neutral (no effect on success count)
  • 5-6: Success (adds one success to the total)

Default Pool Size: 3 dice

Special Mechanics

Exploding Success

Resonant - When rolling a 6, the die explodes: keep the original success and roll the die again, adding the new result to the pool.

Cascading Failure

Discordant - When rolling a 1, reroll the die but keep the original failure. The reroll result is added to the pool, potentially creating multiple failures from a single die.

Blessing Effects

Harmonized - Success range expands to 4-6 instead of 5-6 (66.7% success rate per die).

Curse Effects

Disrupted - Failure range expands to 1-3 instead of 1-2 (66.7% failure rate per die).

Neutral Range Modifications

Dampened - Expands neutral range to include 2 (making 2-4 neutral, 1 failure, 5-6 success).

Tempered - Expands neutral range to include 5 (making 3-5 neutral, 1-2 failure, 6 success).

Balanced - Expands neutral range to include both 2 and 5 (making 2-5 neutral, 1 failure, 6 success).

Design Notes

  • The tri-state system (Failure/Neutral/Success) creates balanced probability distributions
  • 3 dice provides good range (-3 to +3 successes) while keeping resolution fast and decisive
  • Exploding and cascading mechanics add tension without breaking core math
  • Blessing/curse effects significantly shift probabilities while maintaining the core framework
  • Neutral expansion mechanics reduce variance for more predictable outcomes

Mathematical Analysis (3 dice)

Base Probabilities per die: 33.3% each outcome
Expected results with 3 dice: 1 failure, 1 neutral, 1 success (net 0)
Possible range: -3 to +3 net successes
Most likely results: -1, 0, +1 net successes

Mechanic Interactions

Cancellation Rules

Harmonized vs Disrupted: These effects cancel each other out completely. If both are present, dice function normally (1-2 failure, 3-4 neutral, 5-6 success).

Blessing/Curse vs Neutral Expansion: Harmonized or Disrupted effects override any overlapping neutral expansion mechanics:

  • Harmonized cancels Tempered (both affect 5s)
  • Disrupted cancels Dampened (both affect 2s)
  • Balanced is cancelled by either Harmonized or Disrupted

Resonant and Discordant: These explosion/cascade mechanics are never cancelled and always function regardless of other effects present.

Stacking Examples

  • Harmonized + Dampened: 1 failure, 2-4 neutral, 4-6 success (2 becomes neutral, 4-6 becomes success)
  • Disrupted + Tempered: 1-3 failure, 3-5 neutral, 6 success (1-3 becomes failure, 5 becomes neutral)
  • Harmonized + Disrupted: Normal dice function (effects cancel out)
  • Resonant + any other effect: 6s still explode regardless of the success range modification