Sometimes you know that you're not going to succeed at something.

Previously we've advised that you should always give players a chance to achieve something, no matter how unlikely. But like all bits of advice*, this needs to be applied with some degree of pragmatism. If the thief tries to walk across lava to retrieve the golden idol without some form of protection from heat, no saving throw in the world will save them.

Let's rephrase that opening sentence. Sometimes you should know that you're not going to succeed at something.

* Particularly the sorts of advice that we tend to give.

Transcript

Obi-Wan: I Force Push to disarm Vader's laser sword. 4.
Darth Vader: You didn't really expect to escape this Moon alive, did you?
[SFX]: Whooom!!
Darth Vader: Clones! Behind you. Shoot the intruder's friends.
[SFX]: wmmmm...
Obi-Wan: Force Persuade 15: Clones! Belay that order!
Clone Trooper: {small} Look behind us? Ha, we're not falling for that.
Darth Vader: Force Disintegrate.
Obi-Wan: That's... new.
Darth Vader: A power I uncovered thanks to my endless supply of clones.
GM: Both of you, roll. Obi-Wan, you were distracted by the clones; you'd better make this good.
Darth Vader: 20. Your turn... old man.
[SFX]: wmmmm...
R2-D2: Even exploding dice won't save you now.
Obi-Wan: Huh.
{Obi-Wan holds his laser sword up, not defending himself}
[SFX]: wmmmm...
Luke: What are you doing?
{Darth Vader sweeps through Obi-Wan's robes}
[SFX]: Whooom!!
Luke: Noooooo!!