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EEWorzelle · 08-19-2003, 06:01 PM

Well, Zig, if it is that difficult I would just throw up my arms and say no way (I may anyway)!

There are three simplifying factors.

1) We do not have to set this up as a mathematical problem with full generality. We already know some of the things that affect it. Well, maybe we can't be certain, but we can simpify the problem by making educated guesses (like Scott's above).

2) We do not need to run a long, tedious, huge experiment. A series of simple experiments will do the trick. Something like: "If you have one or more characters with Critical Strike capability, record combat info, including opponents, (for as long as you can stand it), summarize it and post it." Just that. I bet, with lots of people looking at that and follow-up data, that we could zero in on a pretty good answer... fairly soon.

3) The end result is qualitative, more than it is quantitative. For example, Scott speculated above that weight is not a factor unless it is too much. I believe he is probably right, but several players about nine months back had a strong theory they say is backed up with results. That was that if your encumberance was very low (a lot lower than 50%) you would get a lot more Critical Hits and Lightning Strikes. I think most players ended up not believing it but... The point is that we only need to know if that does anything or not and, if so, a general idea of how much difference it makes. It is not a messy answer like 2.4729872, or something like that.

Right now I have an IM party where I am measuring the impact of Piety on magic casters (by making it as low as possible). It's a different question, but a pretty simple experiment and I'm having a blast doing it! If it's not fun, it will get old fast.

P.S. - Isn't great that same characters diverge in this game. The variety adds to the replayability. Makes it more difficult to measure stuff, though, I agree.

[ 08-19-2003, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: EEWorzelle ]

08-19-2003, 06:01 PM	#13
EEWorzelle Manshoon Join Date: October 25, 2002 Location: Gilbert, Az Age: 72 Posts: 234	Well, Zig, if it is that difficult I would just throw up my arms and say no way (I may anyway)! There are three simplifying factors. 1) We do not have to set this up as a mathematical problem with full generality. We already know some of the things that affect it. Well, maybe we can't be certain, but we can simpify the problem by making educated guesses (like Scott's above). 2) We do not need to run a long, tedious, huge experiment. A series of simple experiments will do the trick. Something like: "If you have one or more characters with Critical Strike capability, record combat info, including opponents, (for as long as you can stand it), summarize it and post it." Just that. I bet, with lots of people looking at that and follow-up data, that we could zero in on a pretty good answer... fairly soon. 3) The end result is qualitative, more than it is quantitative. For example, Scott speculated above that weight is not a factor unless it is too much. I believe he is probably right, but several players about nine months back had a strong theory they say is backed up with results. That was that if your encumberance was very low (a lot lower than 50%) you would get a lot more Critical Hits and Lightning Strikes. I think most players ended up not believing it but... The point is that we only need to know if that does anything or not and, if so, a general idea of how much difference it makes. It is not a messy answer like 2.4729872, or something like that. Right now I have an IM party where I am measuring the impact of Piety on magic casters (by making it as low as possible). It's a different question, but a pretty simple experiment and I'm having a blast doing it! If it's not fun, it will get old fast. P.S. - Isn't great that same characters diverge in this game. The variety adds to the replayability. Makes it more difficult to measure stuff, though, I agree. [ 08-19-2003, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: EEWorzelle ]