20 New M&M Weaknesses (10pt/5pt/2pt)

[Bretbo]

I'm probably going to say the obvious, but I see these weaknesses as options and not requirements. What do I mean by that?

M&M (standard PL10 game) provides more than enough Power Points to create very useful and fun characters without having to add weaknesses. If I wanted to add a little "flavor" to my game, I could include these weaknesses as Neo suggests. The important distinction is I don't have to allow them. If a player is trying to abuse, say, the Dependent Weakness by taking it so it really isn't a weakness; I'd dissallow it. It's an option.

Some superhero RPGs almost require that you take weaknesses of some kind in order to have a character that is "very useful and fun". This is not a criticism of any system; there just seems to be a culture that say's "I have to take weaknesses and I don't want to, so I'm going to manipulate the system." In M&M, you could do without a weakness system and you wouldn't hardly miss it.

My $.02 anyway.

 

[beverson]

I have to wonder why it is, that whenever someone posts some ideas on a board like this (and for some reason, in particular when Neo does so), that people feel it necessary to argue incessantly with the person over their opinions. Why can't we all just read the info, and say "gee, that's cool, I'll use that in my game" or "nope, don't like it, won't work for the way I run things, but thanks for posting it anyway"? It always seems to degenerate into, what in my opinion appears to be, people "yelling" - "hey, you're WRONG!" "You're opinions don't matter".

Anyway, that's what it looks like to me...

 

[swrushing]

I have to wonder why it is, that whenever someone posts some ideas on a board like this (and for some reason, in particular when Neo does so), that people feel it necessary to argue incessantly with the person over their opinions. Why can't we all just read the info, and say "gee, that's cool, I'll use that in my game" or "nope, don't like it, won't work for the way I run things, but thanks for posting it anyway"? It always seems to degenerate into, what in my opinion appears to be, people "yelling" - "hey, you're WRONG!" "You're opinions don't matter".

Anyway, that's what it looks like to me...

well of course, no one should be yelling but as for the rest...

it would not be much of a discussion on the discussion boards if the posting of ideas only led to people saying "thanks". Those are monologs. I post my idea and people don't say anything about it other than thanks seems highly dull and less than helpful.

I knwo that when i post ideas to this board i hope people read them and give me their honest opinions. If its something i do not want "discussion" about, i wont post it to a "discussion board."

But that may be just me.

 

[Neo]

I have to wonder why it is, that whenever someone posts some ideas on a board like this (and for some reason, in particular when Neo does so), that people feel it necessary to argue incessantly with the person over their opinions. Why can't we all just read the info, and say "gee, that's cool, I'll use that in my game" or "nope, don't like it, won't work for the way I run things, but thanks for posting it anyway"? It always seems to degenerate into, what in my opinion appears to be, people "yelling" - "hey, you're WRONG!" "You're opinions don't matter".

Anyway, that's what it looks like to me...

Thanks beverson

I've been wanting to say as much myself but held off as such comments inevitably set off a new wave of arguments where I seem to be concerned with M&M material. I don't know if I give a certain "vibe" to my posts or what??

But the point was very much "heres 20 new weaknesses, use them or not guys" and within the first half dozen posts they were attacked and I was put on the defensive in arguments where people had already made up thier mind they didn't like the idea of more weaknesses or different weaknesses...and so the same comments just ended up going round and round again...

I am SERIOUSLY glad someone else could see that too!!

You know folks..use the weaknesses or not I don't really mind either way, if you have some specific mechanical issue then by all means let me know and I will fix or discuss alternatives, but as far as whether or not the weaknesses are valid as such or you do them differently and your way in your opinion is better then please do bare in mind your opinion is just that, nothing more and such points really dont need stating repeatedly to get themselves across.

I'm not reinventing the wheel here just adding some more weaknesses to a system that already exists, the weaknesses work in the same way as those that already exist and are similar things.

*was a big rant that followed here about people being so negative all the time across the ENBoards of late... but I removed it because I did not like the thought of having to be negative myself to get the point across, and I refuse to stoop to the levels of those that frustrate and annoy me with thier negative opinions of everything!! *

 

[swrushing]

[/QUOTE]
Do we all need a group hug?

I've been wanting to say as much myself but held off as such comments inevitably set off a new wave of arguments where I seem to be concerned with M&M material. I don't know if I give a certain "vibe" to my posts or what??

I think this is the first thread of yours i ever read. I remember seeing you have a marvel thing or something but i dont usually get into character interpretation threads. If i had to hazard a guess, and based on what i saw here, you probably garner about the same amount of discussion and disagreement as most anybody does.

Every gamer is different and has different focuses. Most people who agree tend to just say "great", "thanks" etc and are rathe r short. Most who disagree dont just want to plug in and say "well its not good" or "i dont like it." without giving reasons. Its that whole sense of criticism vs fussing. Saying "i dont like it" and leaving it at that is unproductive. Saying why you dont like something, even giving examples or references from experience, is often preferred to just saying that you do not prefer.

So, i would expect that people will give you their reasons, more often than not. if that bothers you, thats something for you to think about before posting to a "discussion" board as opposed to just posting to a web page people can read but not respond to.

But the point was very much "heres 20 new weaknesses, use them or not guys" and within the first half dozen posts they were attacked and I was put on the defensive in arguments where people had already made up thier mind they didn't like the idea of more weaknesses or different weaknesses...and so the same comments just ended up going round and round again...

Do you notice how you just dismissed the contrary posts as coming from closed minded people, people who have "already made up their mind"?

You know folks..use the weaknesses or not I don't really mind either way, if you have some specific mechanical issue then by all means let me know and I will fix or discuss alternatives, but as far as whether or not the weaknesses are valid as such or you do them differently and your way in your opinion is better then please do bare in mind your opinion is just that, nothing more and such points really dont need stating repeatedly to get themselves across.

The defensiveness you showed in the thread sort of makes the whole "I dont really mind either way" thing lack emphasis. If you dont care, dont get so defensive and mildly antagonistic in responses.

I'm not reinventing the wheel here just adding some more weaknesses to a system that already exists, the weaknesses work in the same way as those that already exist and are similar things.

I think the obvious response here is that clearly, not everyone agrees with that appraisal. If it was your goal to create such, then some people figure there are some issues needing to be dealt with and, surprisingly, they chose to try and discuss it, here on this discussion board.

You really should have expected that.

*was a big rant that followed here about people being so negative all the time across the ENBoards of late... but I removed it because I did not like the thought of having to be negative myself to get the point across, and I refuse to stoop to the levels of those that frustrate and annoy me with thier negative opinions of everything!! *

Well, given your statement about those people who annoy you with their "negative opinions of everything", I am very glad you took the high road and decided to not go negative.

 

[DMFirebow]

These look great, Neo! It looks like you've put alot of work into these, and I will definitely allow my PCs a chance to use some of them.

Just to let you know, I truly appreciate all the work you've done for the MnM community.

Keep up the good work.