Ability and skill modifiers by gender

[MadLuke]

One thing I like about the fantasy world is more gender equality, but I do not like this at the expense of diversity. For this reason I wanted to introduce the following modifiers:
Males: Str +1 (as is well known to anyone)
Females: Des +1 (maybe not everyone knows that archery is the only sport where wimen are by far the strongest of men, as well as being commonly more graceful and agile in his movements).

Although the previous bonus already contribute to grant a bonus of half a point to those features related skills, I still am inclined to grant the following additional bonus / malus skill:

Males: Craft, Disable Device, Open Lock +1 (males have more ability in manual work);
Male: Swim, Climb, Jump +1 (males are usually more athletic);
Females: Balance, Entertaining Dance (females are usually more graceful and compete in the disciplines of athletics as the pipe closed to men);
Females: Intimidate -1 (females are commonly underestimated);
Females: Perceiving intentions (the females have a greater sensitivity of males usually so they can better capture the nuances of behavior of those in front of him);
Females: Bluff: +1 to males (females reach maturity earlier than men, and have no difficulties to take a little 'of mischief to get what they want).

Not all of these skills have the same frequency of use and I think overall they will not unbalance the game, only slightly differ characters.

What do you think?

Bye, MadLuke.

Comments

+1 for: Females: Bluff: +1 to males 8)

[Dandu]

They should also suffer a -1 penalty to Int and Wis because women are driven by emotion as opposed to men who are driven by intellect and logic, and who should get a +1 to Int and Wis.

But really, why are you asking us when you no doubt have a wonderful girlfriend who will be more than happy to help you with stereotyping her gender?

[Jimlock]

Originally Posted by MadLuke

Females: Bluff: +1 to males (females reach maturity earlier than men, and have no difficulties to take a little 'of mischief to get what they want).

LOL ....I can't believe you are the first person to say this in this Forum.... BRAVO!!! ... I'd suggest more than +1... Believe me... you don't want to see the number I have i mind...

[Sammael]

This will not end well...

Comments

We can only hope.

[Hunter99]

It seems that this thread calls for my input.

I would probably not give men a +1 bonus to open lock and disable device since the image of female thieves comes to mind.

There are some who say that men are naturally more strong-willed than women. That a man who is dependent is pitiful but a woman who depends on a man is not pitiful but gains dignity, and that a woman's beauty comes from her submissiveness which a strong will destroys. So perhaps a penalty on will saves?

Of course, there are those who say that women have less of an aptitude for math and science although I'm not sure how that would be represented in game terms and that women have more of an aptitude for language then men.

[Dandu]

Why not just give them a -1 to Int and Wis for being illogical and driven by emotions?

[Jimlock]

Originally Posted by Dandu

Why not just give them a -1 to Int and Wis for being illogical and driven by emotions?

Of course you understand how one can read this?

[kitcik]

Originally Posted by MadLuke

One thing I like about the fantasy world is more gender equality, but I do not like this at the expense of diversity. For this reason I wanted to introduce the following modifiers:
Males: Str +1 (as is well known to anyone)
Females: Des +1 (maybe not everyone knows that archery is the only sport where wimen are by far the strongest of men, as well as being commonly more graceful and agile in his movements).

Although the previous bonus already contribute to grant a bonus of half a point to those features related skills, I still am inclined to grant the following additional bonus / malus skill:

Males: Craft, Disable Device, Open Lock +1 (males have more ability in manual work);
Male: Swim, Climb, Jump +1 (males are usually more athletic);
Females: Balance, Entertaining Dance (females are usually more graceful and compete in the disciplines of athletics as the pipe closed to men);
Females: Intimidate -1 (females are commonly underestimated);
Females: Perceiving intentions (the females have a greater sensitivity of males usually so they can better capture the nuances of behavior of those in front of him);
Females: Bluff: +1 to males (females reach maturity earlier than men, and have no difficulties to take a little 'of mischief to get what they want).

Not all of these skills have the same frequency of use and I think overall they will not unbalance the game, only slightly differ characters.

What do you think?

Bye, MadLuke.

So we're making men better at melee and skills and we're making women better at dancing. Seems pretty fair.

I suggest you try these mods on your wife/girlfriend next time you game together.

[domino]

How about, if someone wants to play a character who's stronger, more mechanically oriented, or whatever, because they're a man, you let them put their higher scores into strength, and let them buy up the relevant skills?

[kitcik]

Originally Posted by domino

How about, if someone wants to play a character who's stronger, more mechanically oriented, or whatever, because they're a man, you let them put their higher scores into strength, and let them buy up the relevant skills?

Too radical.

[Umbran]

In the past (recent past, even), this has been a contentious issue that caused acrimonious argument. Given that, I'm giving a preemptive warning - we expect anyone posting in this thread to behave like a mature individual, on your best behavior. Leave the snark, sarcasm, hyperbole, and accusational tones at the door, ladies and gentlemen.

That's the only warning you are apt to get. If any of the mods feel you are going off the rails here, we'll boot you out of the thread without bothering to stop for discussion. If you aren't interested in discussing under those terms, please just walk away from this one. Thanks, all.

[Jackinthegreen]

Originally Posted by Dandu

Why not just give them a -1 to Int and Wis for being illogical and driven by emotions?

Try again. The person with the highest IQ in the world is a woman.

As for the OP, I disagree that there would be such differences on that scale if one takes our overall species into account. Stroll through a typical American Wal-Mart for instance and you'll find some rather sad but amusing people that definitely show there's no way to universally say men have an advantage over men or vice versa.

[Dannyalcatraz]

I believe Dandu was using his infamous sarcasm to make a point, namely that for a lot of human history, women were believed to be inherently less capable of rational thought than men, and more ruled by emotion.

Basically, many games have tried gender-specific mods to attributes (1Ed had caps on things like Str) or other mechanical aspects (the 2Ed Amazon Kit).

For the most part, the mods- statistically accurate or not- were generally seen as unneeded (or even unacceptable). After all, regardless of gender, the PCs tend to be unusual in some or even MANY ways.

[Aus_Snow]

It can be done. It can also be done well.

The latter just doesn't happen very often. To put it mildly.

Some female gamers are just as cool with this kind of idea, by the way. DMs, players, other kinds of gamers... even one avowed feminist I know IRL!

But, by and large, what you'll see is stuff like the post that just got deleted. Utterly clueless, offensive, waaaaay out there knee-jerk reactions to some sloppily crafted bogeyman, or indeed, bogeywoman, that does not - in the form being... "theorised" - exist. Which is now rather difficult to reference, but I'm sure you get the idea...

[Jimlock]

*snip quote* --Darkness

LOL.... Someone has to do something about this guy's posts....