Can someone explain to me how to read the "Dice" and "Result" portion of the rolls? I don't understand where the negative number comes from and why my dice rolls sometimes never go above a certain number. I can't tell how to know when I'm way out of my league vs when I have a good shot at something based on the dice results.
GD-studios is working on (among other things) and updated combat UI that will provide more feedback for combat encounters.
for now, as a general rule of thumb, under 40 skill means you suck. if you have a combat skill of less than 40, expect to get rocked. 40 and above, average. 60 and above, decent. 80 and above, professional. 100+ is heroic.
if you dont pick any combat related backgrounds or perks, you will suck at combat. you will excel at other areas (whatever you picked), but you will suck in combat.
unlike other games where you start off decent no matter what your character choices are, in this game it matters. sucking doesnt mean ok in this game. sucking means you suck.
if you go into the encounter screen before the actual combat, and see that your opponents are professional or heroic, even if they are some barechested punk using his fists, expect to have a tough time. because if your 40 or below, you suck. and they dont.
go into the fight knowing that, or back out.
EDIT: GENERAL TIPS FOR COMBAT IF YOU SUCK BUT YOU ARE DETERMINED TO GO INTO COMBAT ANYWAYS
1. get the best mercs you can afford. combat is very lucrative, so 1 or two decent fights and you can get some decent mercs. they will carry thru fights and you will generate good loot and money from that.
2. bring your girls, they will serve as meatshields in the beginning to make sure you and your mercs survive. later, as you and they skill up, they will pull their own weight.
3. gear up, armor first. the better weapons have recoil penalties if you dont have high enough skill, so get better armor first so you dont take so much damage and have to buy alot of tendstims to heal up. use the rifle at 40+, assault at 60+ etc.
LAST NOTE:
i run a noncombat int/charm/manip build. i suck at combat. but using the above strategy, i can clear $10k in approx a week.
