I know this forum seems pretty dead but Im hoping someone out there checks on it like I do.
I occasionally run into the situation where multiple successes seem appropriate for a given task or there would seem to be a chance of just 'getting lucky' on a regular task yet the character doesn't have any features, conditions or what have you to add in positive dice.
I was considering implementing a version of an old Savage Worlds mechanic wherein if you roll a positive "1" you get to roll it again, even if it cancels. This way you have a chance at multiple successes or even regaining a lost success if it is canceled by a negative dice.
In a game like EotW it seems like a slight bit of an edge for characters in a setting that usually kills them off.
Example..
John runs over several zombies with his car and it breaks down. He has no real mechanical skill but is an intelligent guy, maybe its something simple you know? He is safe in his garage so no real threat so the GM rules 2 successes necessary to fix it. John starts with 1 dice but then adds... nothing. He has a few tools but not enough to give him any real advantage. No one is helping him, he doesn't have a manual etc. This is a matter of luck really, but with only one positive dice, he cant get lucky. Using my rule if he rolled a "1" he could take that success then roll again as a bonus die.
Example..
John is trying to talk some NPCs into investigating a sign calling for help hanging on a nearby office building. They aren't interested. He starts with 1 dice then adds another for his 'Diplomat' feature and one more because his last idea gained them a cache of food. A negative dice is thrown in because the area around the building has been busy with zombies lately. Another negative dice is included because the group is out of ammo for their firearms. The dice are rolled and John fails on two of his dice but rolls a 1 on the third, however a negative dice comes up 1 as well, canceling his success. Using my rule he could roll this dice again as a bonus die and hope for a success.
Thoughts?