Re: DM: Typical Roll-ups?

From: itlm013@dale.ucdavis.edu (Donnie Trump)

Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1993 19:47:52 +0000

In article <1993Apr12.232635.1326@rdii.com> jas@rdii.com (Jim Smith) writes:
>
>Although I got three nice roll-ups when I started to play DM back in
>December, I haven't gotten ANYTHING even remotely decent since then.
>For example, I just got these for replacements for the last two I
>DA'd (and one nice one that was recently killed):
>
>13-6-18-6-6-16-5

Try...

ST
ST 13 + 4 = 17
CN  6 + 0 =  6
SZ 18 + 0 = 18
WT  6 + 1 =  7
WL  6 + 2 =  8
SP 16 + 1 = 17
DF  5 + 6 = 11

The high ST/SP striker design has worked pretty well for me in the past.
Just attack other offensives who are typically slower.  This design also
works wells against TPs (*BIG* damage) and PSs.  DA after he reaches
Adepts (which may not take long) or his second loss (which also may not
take long).  Run him 10-10-6-Decis with WH or 10-4-8-Bash with the WH.
Either way, he should do well.  Oh yeah, no armor or backup weapons.

>5-6-11-5-12-16-15

Try...

LU
ST  5 + 6 = 11
CN  6 + 0 =  6
SZ 11 + 0 = 11
WT  5 + 0 =  5
WL 12 + 5 = 17
SP 16 + 1 = 17
DF 15 + 2 = 17

There are obviously better areas for the 3 17's to be in, but you take what you
get I suppose.  This lunger should do about as well as the striker, maybe
better because he'll have a style advantage over more opponents.  Run in
no body armor, going 10-10-6-None for the first minute, 10-8-8-None in the
second, and 8-6-6-None from the third on.  3-9-3-Dodge in desperation.  Run
with the Shortspear vs. light (0,7), Longspear vs. medium (8,14), and
Longsword vs. heavy (15,+).  Challenge finesse styles and other lungers.

Dixie lungers can actually be kept around longer than other dixies.  When
you feel like he doesn't have a chance to win (sometimes these guys go as
high as Champs), then DA him.  If he dies at 8-1-3, you'll probably hear a
great public outcry.  Just claim that the opposition in the arena was so
weak that you were looking for a *real* challenge.

>9-17-17-4-9-9-5   (actually, this one has possibilities as a basher)

Actually, this is the worst roll-up.  I wouldn't go basher (too weak,
stupid, and undeft.  Bashers who are designed merely to take damage don't
do well.  TPs, on the other hand...)

TP
ST  9 + 4 = 13
CN 17 + 2 = 19
SZ 17 + 0 = 17
WT  4 + 0 =  4
WL  9 + 6 = 15
SP  9 + 0 =  9
DF  5 + 2 =  7

Train WL and CN until you decide to DA this guy.  Don't be put off by the
low SP/DF combo.  I've seen worse set-ups actually make it to AD.  Of
course, they never do well there. But that's another story...

>My question is, what is the typical ratio of bad to good roll-ups?

Extraordinarily high.  If you DA every roll-up that isn't pretty damn
good, you're going to be spending a lot of money and seeing very little
result for it (I spend a while trying to the get the "perfect" rollup.
All I got was frustrated).

>I
>have already had to DA 5 out of 8 of the warriors I've received, and
>it now looks like I may (possibly) have 3 more that can expect the
>same fate.  It seems that most of the roll-ups I get have a high SP
>or a high SZ matched with low ST  or something similar.  Is this pretty
>typical of the game, or am I just missing something crucial in regards
>to warrior design, and if so, what is it?

Your experience is about as typical as they come.  You've just got to look
at every roll-up as a viable character, and then try to figure out how
you'd win with it.  If you just can't see a roll-up winning, DA it.  If
you think you've found a way to make him win, go ahead and try it.  Nobody
ever learned anything from the DA.

>I guess what I really want
>to know is, what is a good criteria for keeping or DA'ing a roll-up?

The criteria I employ is this:  Can I reasonably expect to get a better
roll-up?  If I can, then I DA.  If I can't, then I try to win with it.  You'd
be amazed at how many poor roll-ups do well, just because of a combination
of luck, manager's skill, and the makeup of the arena.

Trump

PS  I'd DA the last one --  I hate scum.  But I'd give the first two a
chance.

References

DM: Typical Roll-ups?
jas@rdii.com (Jim Smith)
Mon, 12 Apr 1993 23:26:35 +0000

Referenced By

DM: Typical Roll-ups?
jas@rdii.com (Jim Smith)
Mon, 12 Apr 1993 23:26:35 +0000