So Rattlesnake, but...with some clarity.

• d20 based, but has mixed success for non-combat rolls (tbd)
• BP based. They can buy:
  • Powers
  • Maneuvers
  • Resources
  • NOT stats
• Powers and Maneuvers: see Rattlesnake
• Stats: Gygaxian or a modification (like maybe replacing Strength with Close Quarters Combat, adding Marksmanship, etc etc)
• HP exist, but so does DT (see Rattlesnake DT analysis)
• Skills merge with Ability Scores. Example list:
  • Fighting
  • Marksmanship
  • Willpower
  • Fortitude
  • Agility
• Opposed rolls: d20 + skill
• Other rolls: 1-4 fails, 5-15 mixed, 16-20 complete success

Dice

This is the contention. One option is given above. Here's another:

2d6 all the way down

• Skills and ability scores are the same thing. They range from +0 (or even negative in certain cases) to +3 (possibly +4 with modifiers).
• Unopposed rolls are exactly PtbA
• Opposed rolls are also 2d6 + modifier

This is simpler, but doesn't allow for anywhere near as much of a level effect on numbers. There's something to be said for rolling 22 to hit an enemy and his Dodge is 47.

5e minus proficiency

• Stats still exist (maybe with some makeover)
• Skills are based on stats. Example:
  • Melee: you can roll +Fighting to attack. Melee 2: you can roll +Fighting to parry.
  • Dodge: you can roll +Agility to dodge.
  • Spellcraft: you can roll +Intelligence to cast ritual spells or modify powers on the fly.
• Stats use the Rattlesnake method (higher at level 1, tier bonus every X levels, never changeable via level-up)
• 1 BP gives you proficiency in a skill. More BP can add Feats, which are new actions and reactions based on skills (all Maneuvers are these)
• X BP grants expertise in a skill, giving you advantage all the time. Maybe this shouldn't be a thing. Opportunity for something more interesting.
• Opposed rolls: d20 + stat vs same
• Unopposed: 1-5 fail, 6-14 mixed, 15-20 complete success
  • This assumes proficiency. Non-proficient checks have disadvantage, assuming they are even judged to be possible at all.
  • If expertise exists, it can grant advantage? Or numeric bonuses? hmm

This method feels more like D&D, with some PtbA goodness about mixed success, some of 5e's number problems addressed, etc.

There's more to remember regarding skills, but some players seem to think skills should play a bigger role anyway. Ability scores represent raw talent, skills represent training and earned accomplishments.

The current approach doesn't account for level enough for unopposed checks. Another variant might be d20 + stat vs:

• 1-9: fail
• 10-19: mixed
• 20+: complete
• nat 20: critical

Which is low-key how D&D works anyway, but with a clear bar for mixed success where it always ought to have been anyway.

Notably, this option preserves the natural 1 and 20, which would, in addition to being guaranteed failure or success (bypassing advantage? hmm), grant a hard move to either the DM or the PC.

Ability Scores

10 points at level 1, max is +5.

Every even level, all stats go up by +1.

Example Characters

Sexy Raptor Guy

Level 5 (10 BP)

Start: Str 3 Dex 3 Con 3 Int 0 Wis 1 Cha 0 Current: Str 5 Dex 5 Con 5 Int 2 Wis 3 Cha 2

BP spent:

• Skills 5
• Feats 2 (for now)
• Powers 0

Skills:

• Animals
  • Befriend Animal
• Fortitude
• Melee
• Ranged
  • Quick Draw
• Survival