Coming from Total Warfare, one of the things I don't really like about A Time of War is the departure from the format for skill checks. As you know, in TW you modify the target number then see if you roll higher than it. In A Time of War you have a fixed target number, then roll, then apply modifiers.
I am planning a mixed campaign that will have 'mech combat and out of 'mech interactions (though not much on-foot combat.) I wil be including AToW skill checks during TW combat (for instance, perception and sensor operations rolls to identify targets, tactics rolls for a chance to get an initiative bonus, and such) and the disconnect between the format of the skill checks kind of bugs me.
I was planning on using a modified target number system instead. It is my understanding that you can calculate a TW-style target number by taking the base target number for the skill, subtracting the character's skill level from it, then subtracting any applicable modifiers (so the positive bonuses from AToW become negative bonuses ala TW and vice versa for penalties).
So my question is, is this correct and if so, are there any situations where it falls apart?
Thanks!