As explained in the simplified introduction to 02 - How To Play, the primary dice roll that is used to determine outcomes in Paths to Eternity is the rolling of a 20-sided dice, referred to as a d20. The result shown on the d20 is compared to a certain number, depending on what is being resolved. However, unlike many popular Role Playing Games, PtE does not involve adding numbers to a d20 in order to get as high a score as possible. Instead, at the heart of PtE is what is referred to as a ‘d20 roll-under’ game system.

What this means is that when ‘things happen’, the Player or Game Master rolls a d20 and hopes for a number that is equal-to or is lower than a required target (called a Success Rating). Often there are actually two possible good outcomes - a Success or a Critical Success - as determined by whatever event is being resolved. The other possible outcomes are a Failure or Critical failure, as shall be explained below.

This normal d20 roll ‘to determine what happens’ in PtE is simply referred to as a Roll or a “Check” - see Checks ). The possible outcomes of a check are as follows;

• Success: The d20 result matches or is lower than the event’s Success Rating. Effect: The event being resolved happens. In combat, this can take the form of an attack successfully hitting its target and dealing full damage without penalties.
• Critical Success: The d20 result matches or is lower than the event’s Critical Rating (often a quarter of the Success Rating). Effect: The event being resolved not only happens, but exceeds expectations. This can take the form of an attack dealing double damage, or causing other effects to occur.
• Failure: The d20 result is a number that is higher than the event’s Success Rating. Effect: The event being resolved either fully or partially fails, depending on the specific circumstances (e.g. an attack completely misses, dealing no damage).
• Critical Failure: The d20 result is the number 20 (also referred to as ‘rolling a natural 20’). Effect: The event being resolved automatically fails. Sometimes this can cause even worse things to happen than what was originally supposed to occur (e.g. taking double the normal damage from a drake’s fiery breath). Note: Unlike other roll results, which may be affected after-the-fact by certain player resources such as Daily Luck, rolling a Natural 20 can rarely be changed. The one exception to this is ‘the invoking of a Bond’, which, among other things, can allow you to reroll a natural 20 - this subject is discussed in the Bonds section.

In addition to the above outcomes, there is one roll result, similar to rolling a natural 20, that can have a unique effect — rolling a natural 1. Rolling a natural 1 does not necessarily guarantee a critical success as this depends on the event being determined, however, a natural 1 does always guarantee a success so long as success is feasibly possible in the given circumstance (as determined by the GM). Additionally, whenever you roll a natural 1 for any check made during an encounter, you can add 1 to your current pool of Daily Luck (see Attributes→ ).

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