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Dumpshock Forums _ Shadowrun Missions _ Where's this rule (DP limit for skills)

Posted by: SaintHax Feb 11 2010, 03:50 PM

Where in SR4A does it say the Dice Pool cap only applies to skill checks, and not other DP's? I know we've pointed this out in the past, but I can't find the reference.

Thanks

Posted by: BishopMcQ Feb 11 2010, 04:07 PM

QUOTE (SR4A @ p. 61)

gamemasters may choose to cap dice pools (including modifiers) at 20 dice, or at twice the sum of the character’s natural Attribute + Skill ratings, whichever is higher.

It should also be clarified in the FAQ.

Posted by: SaintHax Feb 11 2010, 07:17 PM

QUOTE (BishopMcQ @ Feb 11 2010, 11:07 AM)

It should also be clarified in the FAQ.

http://www.shadowrun4.com/resources/faq.shtml

I can't find it. The SRM FAQ says "... on all tests".

Posted by: KarmaInferno Feb 12 2010, 04:00 PM

QUOTE (BishopMcQ @ Feb 11 2010, 11:07 AM)

QUOTE (SR4A @ p. 61)

gamemasters may choose to cap dice pools (including modifiers) at 20 dice, or at twice the sum of the character’s natural Attribute + Skill ratings, whichever is higher.

It should also be clarified in the FAQ.

The funny thing is, that's still not much of a limit.

Most folks with DPs above 20 have high skill+attribute as part of it and will therefore have a 'limit' likely in the mid-30s.

Which is about the point becomes harder to get more dice anyhow, except for maybe pornomancer social skills.

-np

Posted by: BishopMcQ Feb 12 2010, 04:17 PM

Karma--Admittedly it is possible to exceed 20, though an Elf Face who maxed their Charisma, bought Aptitude (Etiquette), etc, is going to be one of the highest. Remember that Natural attribute means, unaugmented by Cyberware, Bioware, Spells, Adept Powers etc. An Enhance Attribute spell would not increase the cap.

I agree that it is not much of a limit, and personally believe a dice pool of 12 is generally more than enough for most actions. The limit is there just to provide a ceiling.

Posted by: map Feb 13 2010, 07:26 AM

SaintHax,

It is not discussed anywhere, other than the small optional rule section in SR4A page 61 and in the SRM FAQ.

The only roll I have seen where people do not apply the DP max is Body + Armor to resist damage. I could argue both ways on if the optional DP cap 20 applies to this roll.

What other rolls were you considering the DP cap might not apply to?

Posted by: map Feb 13 2010, 08:10 AM

I just found a second roll where the DP cap may or may not apply. Drain resistance test for magic (uses two different stats). Not a skill based roll...

Posted by: Axl Feb 13 2010, 09:30 AM

Our main GM enforces the dice pool cap (20 dice) on damage resistance, notably when our characters are wearing heavy military armour (ballistic 18). With, for example, Body 6, this would otherwise create a dice pool of 24.

On the other hand, if the enemy is using APDS (-4 ballistic armour modifier), this modifier is subtracted from the original total, 24, so our characters still roll 20 dice on the resistance test.

Posted by: BishopMcQ Feb 13 2010, 04:33 PM

In Missions, the Dice Pool limit does not apply to any kind of Soak test (whether that is Damage Soak or Drain Resistance). It only applies to Skill Tests, and so other Attribute-Only tests such as Judge Intentions would not face the cap.

Posted by: Axl Feb 13 2010, 07:52 PM

BishopMcQ, that rule is certainly not clear.

Posted by: SaintHax Feb 16 2010, 04:37 PM

QUOTE (BishopMcQ @ Feb 13 2010, 11:33 AM)

I knew this was the "rule"; however, I can't find it anywhere. SR4A states it's an option for DP cap, but doesn't mention any exclusions, and later it says it's mandatory for social tests.