Re: Anonymous Archers

From: Alex Ferguson <abf_at_yeats.ucc.ie>
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2000 18:12:15 GMT

Kmnellist:
> If I understand playtest version 3.6 correctly then it would take only 28
> archers (abiltiy 10) to level the playing field with a Hero of 10WWWW (ie
> three per extra muliple opponent reduces Hero ability by 27*3=81, and where
> W=20; so Hero acts at 9, archers at 10) . I might misunderstand this but that
> seems reasonable, and a 'numbers count in Runequest and Hero Wars' catch
> phrase becomes appropriate. In fact, in this case the archers having 270AP
> and the Hero having only 90AP, there is a slight bias toward the archers.

More than slightly! For the numbers cited this stacks things significantly in the archers' favour. If you're resolving their attack collectively, the phrase "We bet 90AP" should illustrate the degree of the Hero's problem...

This points out some subtle issues with the statistics of HW: it very much matters which 'narrative' method one uses for resolving contests in general, and multiple combatents on the other. Multiple attacker bonuses can make a big difference, as can resolving using simple contests, rather than extended. I think whether one uses 28 individual ratings or one collective rating would also make a difference in certain cases.

Cheers,
Alex.

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