(11-23-2022, 12:36 PM)Tambu Wrote: For what it's worth, this is an interesting dilemma and good one to try to understand. I'm not much of a rules lawyer, but this rule's author's use of the word "final' seems to me to be open to competing interpretation.
My reading of this -- admittedly poorly written -- rule 10.3, has always been that the maximum increase of +3 and the decrease of -2 was written in stone as is indicated in the direct fire example provided with the rule. In other words, the excess in either direction caused by other factors should just be dropped if these numbers exceed the compulsory +3 and -2 guideline.
IMHO, the Direct Fire Chart wording about column modifiers underlines this interpretation. Here's what that says: "Column Modifiers All are cumulative, subject to maximum final modifications of -2 and +3 (10.3)." To me, it is the +3 and -2 brackets that are the FINAL result that governs this question. The -3 modifier in your example would just be decreased to a -2 to fit with the bracket and be the final modification.
If I may---I fear your interpretation is inconsistent.....
The sentence reads "Column Modifiers All are cumulative, subject to maximum final modifications of -2 and +3 (10.3)".....
There is only one way to read this....{me thinks}
"All are cumulative" -- signifies you add them all up....all the modifiers are put together to get a FINAL CUMULATIVE RESULT.....
"subject to maximum final modifications of -2 and +3".... That FINAL CUMULATIVE RESULT can only move the final column to a maximum of +3, or to a minimum of -2 from it's
original starting point ( from 16 that would range it from 7 (11 {16 start} 22 30 45+ ) to 45+ (down up to two, up-up to 3).
when it says cumulative---that means you add them all together -- you don't apply that "FINAL" bound until you've determined the Cumulative Total....
what seems to be happening is you are applying the FINAL bounds constraint DURING the cumulative addition---not to the FINAL result, but to steps in the process....
The example in the rules under 10.3 shows a result that CUMULATIVELY would have been +5---but, as indicated, it is limited to a +3.....
That is the appropriate application of BOUND on the FINAL CUMULATIVE result....
me thinks....
