Famitsu's Pikmin 2 review

[A Black Falcon]

Just to make it clear, the average may be 7, but that's not what I get. I'll get a battle where I get nothing but 2's, and then a battle with nothing but 14's. I almost never get a battle that actually mixes everything up perfectly near the start. Later, when the difference really doesn't matter, that doensn't happen any more. Again, I fully understand that you are the sort of person that enjoys playing with variables, the idea of trying to analyze what gives you the best chance of success. I can see how that can be fun, I really can. That's just not what entertains me.

I don't pay much attention to how much damage I am doing in a PC RPG at any specific time (obviously in a boardgame you would... :) ). There are many things much more important to be doing during battle, like deciding what to do next, choosing spells, etc... especially in a title like Baldur's Gate. Oh, sure, I could if I wished -- you are constantly pausing to give new orders, and I could spend a lot of time looking up and seeing how much damage I'm doing (the damage is shown in the main text box at the bottom of the screen, where conversations and the like also go, in the BG games; Torment puts it as numbers on the main screen itsself), but why? I know the ranges my people will be hitting in. Now, I will listen for the characters' "I am not doing any damage" speeches, which means I've got to switch weapons or use magic with them because the enemy is impervious to their current weapon, but when I know the range why should I look at the numbers a lot? Anyway, I know how they will perform... my main character will do the most damage (four attacks per turn, two good weapons... lots of damage... :) ), the other Ranger second, etc... sure it has a element of randomness but the set factors -- like, for instance, the number of attacks per turn, as well as proficiencies and the character's Strength -- are a much bigger factor in how much damage they will do overall!

... But maybe that's because BGII starts you at level 7? :D

I'll bet you think that it gives you lots of lows and then lots of highs more because you notice when it does than because it happens all the time. It'd be natural for it to be that way, after all...

Though... I have heard that the most random sets DO have clumping. Like, flipping a coin. You'll get heads five times in a row but over 100 flips it'll be close to fifty each... so some grouping IS natural. But you seem to suggest more than that, which is why I said that I bet you're seeing what you look for, and not all of what is there.

Now, I already explained my view, and I'm not trying to convince you here. I didn't attack your view either, nor am I saying "you can think that" in a demeaning way because I DO respect your opinion. Mine just differs. Let's just leave it at that, okay? I let you think what you will about Zelda despite my being able to enjoy it, so why not let me think what I want about this d20 thing despite your being able to enjoy it?

I see nothing wrong in saying my opinion. But we've discussed this far too many times before to make it worth talking about again.