RE: Re: Augment Returns (was Equipment Bonuses in Combat)

From: Mike Holmes <homeydont_at_...>
Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 14:36:34 -0600


>From: bethexton_at_...

>Another point to remember is that rolled augments may be used more
>commonly to augment others. (that is, if you interpret the wording of
>the rules to imply that most augments of others are somewhat risky
>and need roles. That is a debatable position, many groups may allow
>routine auto-augments for this too).

Again, if I felt OK mandating rolled augments, then I'd just do that. The only reason I need the tweak is that I rule that it's a player option (I might badger a player into doing a roll, but I'd never make it happen by fiat). What I'm hoping to do is to make the balanced choices psychologically, so players will want to give some condiseration to going one way or another.

>Your change would affect this too, but overall I think it would make
>augmenting others more effective, which I think is overall to the
>good. That is to say, when you have to roll, taking a not too hard
>target gives you a better return under this system. This should make
>players think harder about how they can help each other, which is
>something that I like to see.

Yeah, the simplest one in this case probably makes for the clearest opportunity to strategize. Having the half effect in there really complicates your analysis.

>So having marginal and minor victories reward
>you the same way does penalize certain sets of target numbers over
>others, whereas, althoug it is harder to quantify, if you win less
>often but get more "good wins" it helps balance that behavior out.

Agreed. Again, I think that it's psychological. Keno is the worst game in most casinos, but somebody plays it (usually Blackjack is best unless their are actual "fair" games like Poker going on).

>(FYI, my simple contest odds calculating spreadsheet is in the files
>section of the group somewhere)

Yep, I had almost finished my own when I found yours, in fact. Thing is that for these purposes we can only talk in generalities given that the Abilities used to augment could be anywhere on the scale. Hmm. That said, I'm going to try some other tweaks and see how minmaxing affects the payoffs using the sheet. :-)

Thanks,
Mike



Check your PC for viruses with the FREE McAfee online computer scan. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

Powered by hypermail