I personally avoid combat RP outside of friends and/free company members mostly for the reasons listed, but that may change once FFXIV updates with a /roll command.
I'm quite used to RNG combat. Most of the time my FC uses a modified D10 system contrived from MUD's of old or simple D20. Given the nature of the D10 system we've adopted it for smaller fights and duels as it adds more of an attack and receive feel with Dodge/Parry/Block - Clean Hit - Severe Blow.
I've even gone with pre-arranged rolls on occasion where one or multiple rolls dictate the outcome and/or flow of a particular fight which has lead to some interesting situations. IE: D20 vs D20 to Determine Winner; D20 vs D20 to determine Injuries; D20 to determine length.
In the end though its pretty much deciding what you're comfortable with, not everyone is as willing to test out any RNG system or capable of unbias in freeform.
As for vs NPC: I like forums better for large groups, otherwise as a DM I'm really not caring about minor NPC's. If it's something like boss combat I'll set a target number to hit, a range for big hits, and then go from there. When it comes to the finishing blow I'll pretty much throw down a quick roll off winner deals finishing blow in the next rotation after everyone else had had a chance to post.
I'm quite used to RNG combat. Most of the time my FC uses a modified D10 system contrived from MUD's of old or simple D20. Given the nature of the D10 system we've adopted it for smaller fights and duels as it adds more of an attack and receive feel with Dodge/Parry/Block - Clean Hit - Severe Blow.
I've even gone with pre-arranged rolls on occasion where one or multiple rolls dictate the outcome and/or flow of a particular fight which has lead to some interesting situations. IE: D20 vs D20 to Determine Winner; D20 vs D20 to determine Injuries; D20 to determine length.
In the end though its pretty much deciding what you're comfortable with, not everyone is as willing to test out any RNG system or capable of unbias in freeform.
As for vs NPC: I like forums better for large groups, otherwise as a DM I'm really not caring about minor NPC's. If it's something like boss combat I'll set a target number to hit, a range for big hits, and then go from there. When it comes to the finishing blow I'll pretty much throw down a quick roll off winner deals finishing blow in the next rotation after everyone else had had a chance to post.
