From:	David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject:	Re: Pool Use (was; Summer Time)
Date:	Thu, 21 May 1998 08:10:09 -0600

Erik Jameson wrote:
/
/ At 04:44 PM 5/20/98 -0500, you wrote:
/
/ >For sake of this argument, I'll assume pools represent your "focus and
/ >concentration" on the task you are doing", and that current pool values
/ >are good and useful for the given areas.
/
/ Reasonable assumption but nobody, including the DLOH, seems to know why we
/ have dice pools. It's an important game mechanic, but no one seems to have
/ the concrete answer as to why it even exists.

IMO pools are a game mechanic only. Whenever anyone has tried to equate
them with a "real" world function (concentration, focus, luck, etc) the
reason for their existence break down.

I think I know why dice pools exist.

An effect of dice pools (whether intentional or not) is that they add
a level of unpredictability to combat and require the players to plan
their moves. For example, on any given action pool dice could be
spent on offense or saved for defense. I as the GM don't know which
way the ball is going to bounce when it comes to PCs' pools. And the
player has to weigh his decision on how to use his pools, forcing him
to think his way through combat. IMHO dice pools make combat more
interesting for all involved.

Anyway, that's what dice pools represent to me: a level of
unpredictability that requires planning when it comes to combat.

/ >Does this seem reasonable? Is it a"problem" that even needs fixing?
/ >The example of mages using combat pool for damage resistance only (and
/ >thus having more availible there than samuria) indicates to me it DOES
/ >need fixing.

I don't think there is a problem that needs fixing. As I've GMed and
played Shadowrun over the years dice pools have never really caused a
problem. Karma pools on the other hand... <don't get started Dave ;>

/ Actually, I don't really think it needs fixing. BUT if I were to have to
/ come up with a solution to the problem you posit, I wouldn't use your
/ answer. It isn't an original idea, but I think it would be better then to
/ use a single pool for everything.
/
/ Call it a "Shadow Pool" or something, a group of dice that can be used by
/ shadowrunners. Not sure of what it would be, but if you accept that pools
/ are a byproduct of focus and concentration, you could make this pool
/ INT+WILL/2 or something.

I agree in that one pool would probably work better. However, that
depends on the effect you want to achieve :) I'd go with a single
Combat Pool, derived from (Body + Quickness + Intelligence +
Willpower)/3 (round down), that can be applied towards any attack or
resistence test in combat. As per the rules you couldn't use more pool
dice than the rating of the skill or attribute required for the test.
And note that I defined it as a *Combat* pool. This resolves and issue
that I've had in that Magic Pools can be used outside of combat in a
rather munchkinous manner. If you call it a Combat Pool, then it can
only be used during combat. If a character needs some luck outside of
combat then they can use their Karma Pool, IMHO.

As rule mechanic only, I chose those four attributes because to me they
represent the offensive (quickness and intelligence) and defensive
(body and willpower) attributes.

-David
--
"If I told you, then I'd have to pull a Shadowrun against you. Sorry."
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
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