Luck & Randomness

[Oak]

Herbert,

There have been some complaints (most vocally by Kuniworth) that the results of combat in SC are too dependent on luck and randomness. My impression is that luck has very little to do with results and that other factors (readiness, supply, experience, etc.) largely determine combat results.

I'm kinda new to SC. Perhaps you could clarify for me just how much luck or randomness factors into combat results.

Oak

[Hubert Cater]

Hi Oak,

As you've pointed out, combat formulas take many factors into account (i.e. experience, attack and defence types, defensive bonuses, entrenchment, HQ ratings, rivers etc) and are well defined in the manual, after that there is a +/- 1 point variation thrown into the mix to add some randomness to the battle.

While I think a +/- 1 point variation is small enough to produce reasonable variety from game to game this is not to say that others may not like it.

Hubert

[Oak]

Hubert,

Thanks. You confirmed what I thought ... which is that there will be some variation from game to game and move to move, but luck is not going to result in dramatic results or major losses. That would be attributed to factors over which the players themselves have some control.

Oak

[Shaka of Carthage]

Mr. H.

Just so you know, +/- 1 point variation works fine. You've achieved the proper amount of randomness for the "soft" factors we don't control.

[jon_j_rambo]

This subject has already been discussed in the main thread area & does not belong here. Only tech questions should be asked here.

There's too many rookies making too much noise.

Locking this up

[ July 31, 2003, 09:16 PM: Message edited by: jon_j_rambo ]