Back to the main page

Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: William Monroe Ashe <wma6617@****.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 1997 12:15:19 -0500
In my new game, the decker character has gotten himself an encephalon-2.
(a bit munchie I know, but I just make the systems harder ;-) ) Anyway,
The rules in Shadowtech, Cybertechnology, and VR 2.0 are in conflict (big
surprise). They way he reads the rules he can use the task pool to
augment his base computer skill for decking i.e. with a Computer = 6 and
a task pool of 2 he can roll 8 dice (essentially a Computer of 8). I read
VR 2.0 and it says that the task pool can be used for "tasks". It then
goes on to define tasks to be harware manufacture, off line progamming
and the like.

o.k so who's right, can he use that task pool to enhance his actions
while decking,or does it only help when he is sitting at home designing
new parts, code, etc. I really don't care (other than to know the
rules). I can always just make the system's harder.


thanks in advance


Bill
Message no. 2
From: Max Rible <slothman@*********.ORG>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 1997 09:43:24 -0800
At 12:15 8/8/97 -0500, William Monroe Ashe wrote:
> They way he reads the rules he can use the task pool to
>augment his base computer skill for decking i.e. with a Computer = 6 and
>a task pool of 2 he can roll 8 dice (essentially a Computer of 8). I read
>VR 2.0 and it says that the task pool can be used for "tasks". It then
>goes on to define tasks to be harware manufacture, off line progamming
>and the like.

In VR 2.0, it also states that the task pool is added to the hacking pool.
(If you have an encephalon, you need a skillsoft in order to make use of
its task pool. I disbelieve this-- my ruling is (from my web site at
http://www.amurgsval.org/shadowrun/megapulses.html )

Requiring an encephalon to be slotting a decking skillsoft in order to get
a bonus
during decking doesn't make a great deal of sense to me. To keep the same
game
balance while improving believability, I suggest that the skillsoft be
replaced with
a program of the same rating and space requirements as a specialized decking
skillsoft, with the purpose of properly utilizing the encephalon's
capabilities
during decking. In particular, this program would interface to the deck and
make it
possible to provide extra information at the level of skills and memory:
instead of
having to read statistics about whatever the decker was perceiving, they
would
simply *know* them.

>o.k so who's right, can he use that task pool to enhance his actions
>while decking,or does it only help when he is sitting at home designing
>new parts, code, etc. I really don't care (other than to know the
>rules). I can always just make the system's harder.

The task pool is adding to his hacking pool, so it *does* enhance his actions
while decking. Of course, you can only use as many pool dice as you have
regular
Decking skill.

--
%% Max Rible %% slothman@*****.com %% http://www.amurgsval.org/~slothman/ %%
%% "So, an Arisian, a Vorlon, and a knnn go into a tavern..." %%
Message no. 3
From: George Metz <W0lfstar@***.COM>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 1997 16:44:48 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-08 13:15:46 EDT, you write:

> o.k so who's right, can he use that task pool to enhance his actions
> while decking,or does it only help when he is sitting at home designing
> new parts, code, etc. I really don't care (other than to know the
> rules). I can always just make the system's harder.
>

He's right, sort of, with a catch. Encephalon will add it's Task Pool to a
character's Hacking Pool, but only if he has a Computer Skillsoft equal to
his rating in his Computer Skill, OR if he is using the Skillsoft's rating
instead of his own. The rule is found on page 19 of VR2.0 top left-hand
column. Encephalon isn't all that munchie, especially at Level 2. Level 4
Encephalon, Level 4 Math SPU, and Level 2 Cerebral Booster, not that's what I
call powergaming. =)

Wolfstar
Message no. 4
From: George Metz <W0lfstar@***.COM>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 1997 16:59:00 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-08 13:46:29 EDT, you write:

> Requiring an encephalon to be slotting a decking skillsoft in order to get
a bonus
> during decking doesn't make a great deal of sense to me. To keep the same
game
> balance while improving believability, I suggest that the skillsoft be
replaced with
> a program of the same rating and space requirements as a specialized
decking
> skillsoft, with the purpose of properly utilizing the encephalon's
capabilities
> during decking. In particular, this program would interface to the deck
and make it
> possible to provide extra information at the level of skills and memory:
instead of
> having to read statistics about whatever the decker was perceiving, they
would
> simply *know* them.

This, BTW, was an impressive bit of work, as was the entire thing on the
Matrix and IC. Bonus Kudos to you!

Wolfstar
Message no. 5
From: Lady Jestyr <jestyr@*******.DIALIX.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 12:18:02 +1000
> In my new game, the decker character has gotten himself an encephalon-2.
> (a bit munchie I know, but I just make the systems harder ;-) ) Anyway,

How is it munchie? It's no munchier than the sam getting a smartlink II.
Less so, I'd say.

> surprise). They way he reads the rules he can use the task pool to
> augment his base computer skill for decking i.e. with a Computer = 6 and
> a task pool of 2 he can roll 8 dice (essentially a Computer of 8). I read

That's the way the encephalon works...

> o.k so who's right, can he use that task pool to enhance his actions
> while decking,or does it only help when he is sitting at home designing
> new parts, code, etc. I really don't care (other than to know the
> rules). I can always just make the system's harder.

I'd say that yes, the Encephalon's task pool will add to Computer for
the purposes of decking.

Let's face it, Blue and Green systems are really only meant to be a
challenge for people who know what they're doing. PC deckers generally
won't have a problem with Blue or Green systems, which mimics real life
today.

Lady Jestyr

-------------------------------------------------------------
Who says I'm crazy? I prefer the term 'sensibility deficient'
- Tamino
-------------------------------------------------------------
Elle Holmes jestyr@*******.dialix.com.au
http://jestyr.home.ml.org/
-------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 6
From: George Metz <W0lfstar@***.COM>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 04:26:16 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-09 04:20:14 EDT, you write:

> > o.k so who's right, can he use that task pool to enhance his actions
> > while decking,or does it only help when he is sitting at home designing
> > new parts, code, etc. I really don't care (other than to know the
> > rules). I can always just make the system's harder.
>
> I'd say that yes, the Encephalon's task pool will add to Computer for
> the purposes of decking.

Eek. I dunno about that.... Mainly because, the Encephalon adds it's task
pool to the Hacking pool with the appropriate skillsoft in place - although I
like the specialized program better. That'd be a division of Task Pool
Resources. Basically, and please correct me if I'm wrong, what you're saying
is that the Encephalon adds 2 dice to both the hacking pool AND the computer
skill? Or did you mean Hacking Pool in the first place?

Oh, and speaking of real life computing, What's up with the webring? Every
time I try joining, I get a message saying I have an incomplete form, but I
filled everything out.

Wolfstar
Message no. 7
From: Lady Jestyr <jestyr@*******.DIALIX.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 20:25:09 +1000
> > I'd say that yes, the Encephalon's task pool will add to Computer for
> > the purposes of decking.
>
> Eek. I dunno about that.... Mainly because, the Encephalon adds it's task
> pool to the Hacking pool with the appropriate skillsoft in place - although I
> like the specialized program better. That'd be a division of Task Pool
> Resources. Basically, and please correct me if I'm wrong, what you're saying
> is that the Encephalon adds 2 dice to both the hacking pool AND the computer
> skill? Or did you mean Hacking Pool in the first place?

Either/or. The way I perceive it is that if you have an Enceph and you
DON'T use a skillsoft, the dice add to your computer skill. If you're
using a 'soft, they add to the hacking pool instead, with the
concomitant limitations on Hacking Pool use.

> Oh, and speaking of real life computing, What's up with the webring? Every
> time I try joining, I get a message saying I have an incomplete form, but I
> filled everything out.

Oh gack. *sigh* Email me your site details and I'll try and do it
myself. Funny. Don't know anyone else who's had the problem.

Lady Jestyr

-------------------------------------------------------------
Who says I'm crazy? I prefer the term 'sensibility deficient'
- Tamino
-------------------------------------------------------------
Elle Holmes jestyr@*******.dialix.com.au
http://jestyr.home.ml.org/
-------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 8
From: "MARTIN E. GOTTHARD" <s457033@*******.GU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 1997 11:42:34 +1000
> > Oh, and speaking of real life computing, What's up with the webring? Every
> > time I try joining, I get a message saying I have an incomplete form, but I
> > filled everything out.
>
> Oh gack. *sigh* Email me your site details and I'll try and do it
> myself. Funny. Don't know anyone else who's had the problem.
>

Maybe they're just being shy.

What's the tally on Webring membership at the moment?
Message no. 9
From: Lady Jestyr <jestyr@*******.DIALIX.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 1997 23:34:25 +1000
> > > Oh, and speaking of real life computing, What's up with the webring? Every
> > > time I try joining, I get a message saying I have an incomplete form, but I
> > > filled everything out.
> >
> > Oh gack. *sigh* Email me your site details and I'll try and do it
> > myself. Funny. Don't know anyone else who's had the problem.
>
> Maybe they're just being shy.

Thing is, I've had successful submissions. It just seems to be poor ole
WolfStar who has the problem (maybe the webring doesn't like AOL :)

> What's the tally on Webring membership at the moment?

120-ish.



Lady Jestyr

-------------------------------------------------------------
Who says I'm crazy? I prefer the term 'sensibility deficient'
- Tamino
-------------------------------------------------------------
Elle Holmes jestyr@*******.dialix.com.au
http://jestyr.home.ml.org/
-------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 10
From: "MARTIN E. GOTTHARD" <s457033@*******.GU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 1997 11:59:57 +1000
> > > Oh gack. *sigh* Email me your site details and I'll try and do it
> > > myself. Funny. Don't know anyone else who's had the problem.
> >
> > Maybe they're just being shy.
>
> Thing is, I've had successful submissions. It just seems to be poor ole
> WolfStar who has the problem (maybe the webring doesn't like AOL :)
>

Say, that's a webring with style.
Message no. 11
From: George Metz <W0lfstar@***.COM>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 1997 15:21:57 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-10 09:35:04 EDT, you write:

> Thing is, I've had successful submissions. It just seems to be poor ole
> WolfStar who has the problem (maybe the webring doesn't like AOL :)
>

Here's a thought..... You've got a Java-enabled counter on your site, Lady
J. Is the submission form Java-specific in any way? I've got Javascript, but
no Java at the moment.

Wolfstar
Message no. 12
From: George Metz <W0lfstar@***.COM>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 1997 16:02:36 -0400
In a message dated 97-08-11 00:02:08 EDT, you write:

> > (maybe the webring doesn't like AOL :)
> >
>
> Say, that's a webring with style.
>

Don't start. AOL has a real bad rep that it doesn't (entirely) deserve. The
people in chat rooms are utter twits 90% of the time, but the RPG design
areas, along with the RPG Company Support areas alone are worth the 20 bucks
a month. Plus, it's a standard PPP connection - just don't use IRC through
it, you'll end up banned from your channels.

Wolfstar
Message no. 13
From: Lady Jestyr <jestyr@*******.DIALIX.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 1997 12:33:59 +1000
> In a message dated 97-08-10 09:35:04 EDT, you write:
>
> > Thing is, I've had successful submissions. It just seems to be poor ole
> > WolfStar who has the problem (maybe the webring doesn't like AOL :)
> >
>
> Here's a thought..... You've got a Java-enabled counter on your site, Lady
> J. Is the submission form Java-specific in any way? I've got Javascript, but
> no Java at the moment.

Nope, it's not Java-ised. Look, send me your details and I'll see what I
can do.

Lady Jestyr

-------------------------------------------------------------
Who says I'm crazy? I prefer the term 'sensibility deficient'
- Tamino
-------------------------------------------------------------
Elle Holmes jestyr@*******.dialix.com.au
http://jestyr.home.ml.org/
-------------------------------------------------------------

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about help with encephalon, task pool, and computer skill, you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.

Thwap!