Low Stats = A Thug?

[Diamond Cross]

Why do some people think that if you have low stats you are obviously a thug?

It doesn't have to be this.

Here's an example of what I mean. If you have a low Charisma, then that, at least to me means having low to no social skills. You don't even know how to use things like tact and may have an inappropriate sense of humor and may not have any discipline when in a group situation to sit still.

And low Charisma doesn't necessarily have to mean that you are not very good looking. Many people are quite charismatic despite not being very good looking. And the corollary is that there are people who are very good looking who are quite mean spirited and make no bones about it as well.

So I'm not entirely sure why players tend to think that low stats mean the character is a thug.

Is is also problematic because it also means that it will only cause problems for a team.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

I am guessing this came from the other topic where thug was mentioned. The answer is that its an easy explanation for a character that gimps two or more mental stats, often wisdom and charisma, in exchange for fairly decent physical stats.

Just a low charisma doesnt automatically mean thug, a low charisma with a decent intelligence or wisdom means the character over time can learn to compensate for their lack of social graces and has the smarts/wisdom to know to shut up until that time comes.

A low charisma mixxed with a low intelligence, and or wisdom, means no social skills and the inability to understand that lack and refrain from actions that bring it out in the forefront.

Bob the nerd with a 6 charisma has a 14 intelligence and knows to stay in the background and keep to himself at least.

Fred the thug with his 6 charisma and 7 intelligence is a loud mouthed buffoon who never says the right thing, and worse, isnt smart enough to know when he should keep his mouth shut.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I don't know what to tell you- I haven't seen too many play low-stat PCs, and while I do play them, only one of mine was a thug.

He didn't, however, cause any more problems than anyone else in the group.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Say rather that they hail from stonier ground, poor little tykes?

Yep yep. It's that combo: low Wis + low Cha. That'll do it, every time.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Yep yep. It's that combo: low Wis + low Cha. That'll do it, every time.

I think it's probably just PC-gen blinders.

Give me that limitation and a class (that can function with those 2 stats being low) and I can come up with thuggish and non-thuggish PC concepts.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

I think it's probably just PC-gen blinders.

Give me that limitation and a class (that can function with those 2 stats being low) and I can come up with thuggish and non-thuggish PC concepts.

Sure, so can I. But how many thugs do you see with average or high charisma and wisdom? It's kind of the hallmark of a thug that they are not too smart or wise and have few social graces.

 

[jonesy]

In my experience it's the high charisma characters who turn into thugs.

Sorry, did I say thugs? I meant con men.

 

[Sorrowdusk]

Sure, so can I. But how many thugs do you see with average or high charisma and wisdom? It's kind of the hallmark of a thug that they are not too smart or wise and have few social graces.

And what about Alex DeLarge?
He was a thug and psychopath.
Lead a little gang of thugs, except he was charismatic and had Cohorts.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

And what about Alex DeLarge?
He was a thug and psychopath.
Lead a little gang of thugs, except he was charismatic and had Cohorts.

Guess that leads to a discussion over what a thug is. To me a thug is hired muscle, stronger than smart, and works for money. If you have enough charisma to form your own group then your not really a thug anymore.

 

[Diamond Cross]

Guess that leads to a discussion over what a thug is. To me a thug is hired muscle, stronger than smart, and works for money. If you have enough charisma to form your own group then your not really a thug anymore.

Does it really take charisma to form a group though?