# Pool of Radiance (computer game)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-of-radiance-computer-game/97203>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [December 6, 2001, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-of-radiance-computer-game/97203 "2001-12-06T10:44:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2001, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-of-radiance-computer-game/97203/1 "2001-12-06T10:44:26Z")

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I’ve just started playing the game and like it so far.

As an old-time roleplayer, I found the character generation interesting. (Start with 8 points per ability, add 25. But scores above 14 need 2 points per 1 advance, and scores above 16 need 3.)

Now the manual says that you get an ability point every few levels (e.g. at 4th level). My question is:

Is the bonus point = 1 ability point;  
or is it like the starting additions - you can only increase up to 14?

(Because this would affect my starting choices, and I don’t want to replay back up to 4th level if I choose wrongly!).

As usual, thanks for reading this far. 🆒

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**Author:** ![Genseric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Genseric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genseric)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2001, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-of-radiance-computer-game/97203/2 "2001-12-06T10:53:21Z")

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You get one ability point. It raises any ability one point.  
There are also a good smattering of barrels that increase your various abilities.

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**Author:** ![Zanshin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e274bd/32.png) [@Zanshin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanshin)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2001, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-of-radiance-computer-game/97203/3 "2001-12-06T14:26:01Z")

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Like **Genseric** said, at 4th, 8th, and 12th level, you can raise any of your abilities one point. Doesn’t matter if you’re raising it from 8 to 9 or from 18 to 19, any of your abilities go up one point.

And you’ll find a TON of magic items that will raise ability scores, so don’t worry too much if at the start, your characters seem kinda wimpy. The game is very magic-item-rich, so within a level or two, all your guys’ll have magic boots, rings, armor, weapons and more scrolls and wands than you can count.

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2001, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-of-radiance-computer-game/97203/4 "2001-12-06T14:48:20Z")

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Okey-dokey … thanks!