Core Resolution

Spencer's Law runs on one roll: 1d20 + trait + talent + modifiers vs. a target number. Meet or beat it and you succeed — and the margin shapes the story.

When to Roll

Roll when the outcome is uncertain and significant. Safe, routine tasks and foregone conclusions need no roll. Fiction that makes an action impossible stays impossible, no matter the dice. Honor outcomes already earned through roleplay or clever planning.

Difficulty

Unsure? Use Challenging (15). If circumstances change mid-attempt, adjust further checks.

Margin Shapes the Story

• Bare success: you get what you wanted, nothing more.
• Blowout (beat it by 5+): extra benefit, style, or useful side effect.
• Failure: the situation gains momentum — a complication, cost, or new opportunity. Success at a cost is fair when the rules allow it.

Ad Hoc Rulings

When the rules are silent, make a simple ruling that fits the fiction and apply it consistently. If a rule slows play, announce the simplification and use it consistently.