So, the general rule is that you can't add more dice than the original skill with a pool, unless it's a damage resistance roll, in which case use all you can. Right?

So, my question is, when adding dice from multiple pools (such as astral combat and astral pool, or specific spell focus and spell pool) can you only double the original number of dice from the skill, or can you add that many dice from each applicable pool? Thanks.

I'd say the maximum number of dice is still capped by your Skill Rating, no matter where you take the dice from....

Actually, the general rule is that you can add as many dice as you like unless a specific pool or rule states otherwise... at which point the limitation exists for each pool individually. See SR3 p. 43 for more details (second paragraph on the second column).

There is a FAQ answer on this topic, however, but it includes tidbits that are contrary to the canon rules (namely the last part).

I'm 99% sure it's like Ombre said, you can't add more Pool dice than the skill (or whatever the normal limitation to Pool dice usage is in the particular test) regardless of how many separate Pools you draw dice from. Couldn't find where it says that with a cursory glance, though (since it's not in Dice Pools, sr3.43-44 nor in the Initiation section/Astral Pool in MitS). Might be under the Task Pool descriptions in M&M?

[Edit]Or maybe I just read it from the FAQ that Doctor Funkenstein just quoted.[/Edit]

Here for a recent discussion on te topic.