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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Bruce)
Subject: Acceleration Question
Date: Wed Mar 14 09:20:01 2001
Howdy

I have a problem with the written acceleration rules. What makes a
driver with skill 6 in a given vehicle skill accelerate twice as fast as
a driver with skill 3? I mean I can see how he would shift gears faster
as such, but surely acceleration is function of balls and horsepower
rather than of pure skill. I have tested this in real life to a limited
degree, swopping cars with my buddy who has an Toyota Corolla RSi.
(dunno if they have those in your neck of the woods) He reckons I
accelerate just as quickly as he does, even though he is almost sure to
have a better skill with that particular vehicle.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Many Thanks

Bruce
Message no. 2
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Stuart Purdie)
Subject: Acceleration Question
Date: Wed Mar 14 11:00:01 2001
On Wed, 14 Mar 2001, Bruce wrote:

> I mean I can see how he would shift gears faster as such, but surely
> acceleration is function of balls and horsepower rather than of pure
> skill.

Not quite. As someone who has driven vehicles to the limit, skill plays a
bigger part than you might think.

For example, consider a vehicle that has a greater maximum power output
than the wheels can transfer - in short, if you floor it it will
wheelspin. In order to get best acceleration out of the vehicle, you have to
apply the maximum power that is less than the amount that will make it
wheelspin.

Also, consider trying to accelerate around a corner. It's very difference
from a straight, as you have to judge the maximum speed that you can
travel at without sliding too much, whilst accelerating.

Having said that, I do agree that the dependance of acceleration on skill
is too great. If it ever came up, I would probably just use a flat rate,
for simplicity, or make each success at something like 10% more to the
acceleration (double the printed value in this case, for
re-normalisation).

Stuey!
Message no. 3
From: shadowrn@*********.com (Alfredo B Alves)
Subject: Acceleration Question
Date: Wed Mar 14 15:45:06 2001
On Wed, 14 Mar 2001 16:16:31 +0200 Bruce <iti03678@****.co.za> writes:
> Howdy
>
> I have a problem with the written acceleration rules. What makes a
> driver with skill 6 in a given vehicle skill accelerate twice as
> fast as
> a driver with skill 3?
<SNIP>

The problem with the acceleration rules is that they are poorly named.
They should be called the maneuverability rules. The die roll isn't to
see who can take off faster on a straight away, it's to see who can
outmaneuver whom in combat. IIRC, there is actually no mechanic to see
who can take off faster on a straight away. Hope that helps. :)

--
D. Ghost
Profanity is the one language all programmers know best
- Troutman's 6th programming postulate.
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Thwap!