From:	Jani Fikouras <feanor@**********.UNI-BREMEN.DE>
Subject:	Re: With all this new stuff.
Date:	Thu, 21 Sep 1995 15:27:32 +0200

> }By using availability figures. Let them roll for the pieces of equipment
> }they want to buy, no matter if it has an Avail of 2/5 minutes, let them
> }roll. The way I play availability is that the _characters_ make an Etiquette
> }test to see if the item is there, not the fixer, so it depends much more on
> }the char than on the person they're talking to.
> }So when they start running out of APDS, they will try to get new and likely
> }fail against the TN of 14. Oops, wait for 14 days before you can try again...
>
> Well, I can't say I agree with you on this one. ;) If you have the characters
> make the availability check, why are you making them pay for their contacts?
> The whole point of having contacts is knowing people who can get you things
> easier than you can get them yourself. If someone is using their own
> skills/attributes to see what they can acquire, they aren't gaining anything
> from having a fixer! Their charisma does come into effect, however, when it
> comes time to negotiate the cost of the stuff with the fixer.... ;)

You are right, but I dodnt see your point. No fixer worth his salt will
have an etiquette skill lower than that of the average runners. And that
means that it probably amounts to the same thing whether the runner does
his own rolls or not.

BTW do you guys think that the availability ratings of many items are far
too low? I mean take APCS ammo for example, it has a rating of 14, this
(for a well versesed -etiquette 6- runner that *just has* to get it) is
an achievable TN. Given the fact that a runner waits around for a month
or so between runs given him the chance to try his look a few times,
and even if thats not enough he can wait around for a coupla months more.
He will get the stuff eventually believe me.

Anyway I was thinking of raising the availability of many items,
especially such items as APDS ammo.

--
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"In my mind I see the matrix, and in the matrix is held the power. The lock
to the matrix is my will, and in the matrix my will becomes the power."