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<blockquote data-quote="slobster" data-source="post: 6004456" data-attributes="member: 6693711">Nope. In 3.x you could easily have, within the rules, a blacksmith whose combat abilities far exceed his blacksmithing abilities. Say, a level 9 fighter who never took any craft skills, who later retired and grabbed one level of expert for 3 ranks in craft (blacksmith). That is a completely by-the-rules NPC. You could, of course, do a similar thing in 4E.In either case your problem isn't with the game system itself. Your problem is with the GM, who (maybe) is abusing his role as arbiter of the world to surprise you with a character who has far more combat proficiency than you had expected.At it's worst, this sort of thing could happen as a vindictive &quot;take that&quot; from an annoyed GM. &quot;Oh you attack the blacksmith for not selling at a discount? It turns out he's a retired soldier (post hoc justification) who kicks your ass!&quot; At its best, this sort of thing is a way to add texture to NPCs who otherwise don't get a lot of attention. &quot;As the goblins break past the barricade you are surprised to see the blacksmith step from his forge, swinging a bastard sword in one hand and his forge hammer in the other. 'Makes me feel young again!' he calls out at you, as he begins plugging the hole in the defensive line.&quot;So I agree that it's important to have a good GM, one you trust. That's never really been in doubt. But giving the GM tools to run his campaign doesn't hurt the game, it's GMs who make mistakes that do that.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="slobster, post: 6004456, member: 6693711"] Nope. In 3.x you could easily have, within the rules, a blacksmith whose combat abilities far exceed his blacksmithing abilities. Say, a level 9 fighter who never took any craft skills, who later retired and grabbed one level of expert for 3 ranks in craft (blacksmith). That is a completely by-the-rules NPC. You could, of course, do a similar thing in 4E. In either case your problem isn't with the game system itself. Your problem is with the GM, who (maybe) is abusing his role as arbiter of the world to surprise you with a character who has far more combat proficiency than you had expected. At it's worst, this sort of thing could happen as a vindictive "take that" from an annoyed GM. "Oh you attack the blacksmith for not selling at a discount? It turns out he's a retired soldier (post hoc justification) who kicks your ass!" At its best, this sort of thing is a way to add texture to NPCs who otherwise don't get a lot of attention. "As the goblins break past the barricade you are surprised to see the blacksmith step from his forge, swinging a bastard sword in one hand and his forge hammer in the other. 'Makes me feel young again!' he calls out at you, as he begins plugging the hole in the defensive line." So I agree that it's important to have a good GM, one you trust. That's never really been in doubt. But giving the GM tools to run his campaign doesn't hurt the game, it's GMs who make mistakes that do that. [/QUOTE]

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