[Stainless Steel Devil Rat]

SSDR,

I like the idea of a ceiling value, why "18"?

Regards,
SL

Completely meta/arbitrary.  Dice usually come in sets of 6 (CGL's Shadowrun dice, for example) so 3 sets and you're golden.

20 dice would be another good arbitrary ceiling, as its divisible by 4 and you can cap out at 5 bought hits that way.

[Shinobi Killfist]

SSDR,

I like the idea of a ceiling value, why "18"?

Regards,
SL

Completely meta/arbitrary.  Dice usually come in sets of 6 (CGL's Shadowrun dice, for example) so 3 sets and you're golden.

20 dice would be another good arbitrary ceiling, as its divisible by 4 and you can cap out at 5 bought hits that way.

Even non min maxers would hit either of those caps quick. I'd prefer a cap on bonus dice as opposed to a cap on total dice, like max 4 from one source max 3 sources. That way Trolls don't get artificially gimped in strength related tasks, or you don't feel like taking exceptional skill/attribute is a trap.

[Odsh]

That way Trolls don't get artificially gimped in strength related tasks, or you don't feel like taking exceptional skill/attribute is a trap.

Exactly my thought.

[Hobbes]

An Arbitrary Dice cap could be a campaign style setting.  Mutants and Masterminds does this, as an example, I know there are other games that do similar.

Street Level 14 Dice.
Starting Runner 16 Dice.
Pro Runner 20 Dice.
Prime Runner 24 Dice.
World Beater 28 Dice.

Or whatever.  I wouldn't set an arbitrary cap for the entire game system.  I'd suggest GM's cap it by campaign style / table preference.