I tried to sneak up behind an enemy and ended with a net zero success and one advantage. We weren't sure if that meant that I was SPOTTED or if I just wasn't able to get myself into postition like I had hoped. We opted for the latter.

Any thoughts?

5 minutes ago, Zzzman74 said:

I tried to sneak up behind an enemy and ended with a net zero success and one advantage. We weren't sure if that meant that I was SPOTTED or if I just wasn't able to get myself into postition like I had hoped. We opted for the latter.

Any thoughts?

Stealth should be performed as an opposed check (against perception or vigilance) to get the best result from the story dice. Failing the roll means either you are spotted, you snap a twig, someone comes around the corner at a bad time. That part I would leave up to what the advantage/threat part of the roll.

As you said, a simple failure could mean you simply do not get the position you wanted.

I like to keep things moving as a GM, so I'd rule that you got into position but that your position was given away. Even so, you could give yourself a Boost die to your initiative roll (for the 1 Advantage).

That's the funny part. I got zero success but one ADVANTAGE. Im a veteran Star Wars RPG player so I'm pretty familiar with the system. But this one stumped me.

Theoretically, the goal was to sneak undetected into a position of advantage against the enemy. So failing means my goal was not accomplished (no successes) but I'm not sure there would be any PENALTY applied because I actually rolled one net ADVANTAGE!

Now that I'm discussing it here, maybe I should have resolved it like this: I tried to sneak around into an advantageous position undetected. At the last moment, the enemy spots me and turns to face me! (But I give him one setback die on his next action because I surprised him).

That could work nicely. I failed to SNEAK undetected.

You rolled to see if you made it in position without being spotted. You failed on your check, so you either:

1. Didn't get into position but weren't spotted
2. Got into position but were spotted

As a GM, I would have no problem with a player spending that 1 advantage to guarantee option 1.

I'd rule it you screwed up and were spotted, but you distracted the opponent and one of your buddies gets a Boost.

You got caught but you had a fraction of time to do something, like few seconds of advantage to do something.

It's not the unique way to resolve, but looks good to me for this situation

Since you failed the sneak, you were spotted/detected. But in his haste to attack he suffers a stress (and possibly a setback if the circumstances warrant it).

I also like 2P51's idea of giving a partner a boost.

Thanks everyone!

You got spotted so both you and your opponent will be rolling Vigilance for Initiative if this is Combat. Your movements distract your opponent, giving one of your buddies a boost to initiative.

9 hours ago, Zzzman74 said:

I tried to sneak up behind an enemy and ended with a net zero success and one advantage. We weren't sure if that meant that I was SPOTTED or if I just wasn't able to get myself into postition like I had hoped. We opted for the latter.

Any thoughts?

I would do a fail with advantage as you didn't sneak however the target is not immediately hostile. You can still enter into social combat/social encounters to try and talk your way out of trouble.