[UA] OT Math

[Epoch]

On Thu, 24 May 2001, Kevin Elmore wrote:

> Actually, there is a period of stagnation at the 10's and
> the lower ends of each tens region.
> 
> Consider having an obsession skill at 19%, 20%, or 21%. 
> You succeed on 01-19, 20, 21, 30, 31, 40, 41, 50, 51, 60,
> 61, 70, 71, 80, 81, 90, and 91.  
> 
> It's not until you hit 22 that you get an increase in your
> odds.
> 
> I haven't done any extensive study here, but the trend I
> see is that an obsession skill gains value up until the
> last digit is a 9.  After that, you gain no benefit until
> the ones digit matches the tens digit.
> 
> So, having a 79 is exactly the same as having an 80, 81,
> 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87.  The magic numbers you want for
> this skill range are 1-79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87,
> 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 97.  
> 
> So, if you have an obsession skill of 79, any points you
> spend on the skill will essentially do absolutely nothing
> until you reach 88.  

Unless you count being able to flip for a higher rated success, yes.

> Wow, I just realized that a starting character can have an
> obsession skill of 69, ensuring a victory if you roll 1-76,
> 80-86, or 90-96.  That's an effective 90% in that skill. 
> You'll fail only 10% of the time.  However, when you do
> fail, there is a 10% of a BOHICA and a 30% chance of a
> matched failure.  When you flub, you may flub
> spectacularly.

That's not starting-character legal -- starting skills are capped at
55%.  But, yes.

> And there is a reason to go beyond 69.  Sometimes, a task
> is more difficult, and your skill is considered 10 to 30
> less than what it should be.  So it's good to get high
> numbers still.

Yes, and <insert broken record mumbling here>

Mike

--
"I'm dubious about how GMD is sexing some of these patients."
	- Jeff Grant


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