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<blockquote data-quote="Neonchameleon" data-source="post: 6366825" data-attributes="member: 87792"><p>OK. Firstly, I'm going to split Explorers off from Net Deckers - both are people lumped under the heading of optimisers. The difference is that a Net Decker wants to play a powerful character and will read through the guides, picking the "best" options. An Explorer wants to understand the game and the system and is likely to write some of those guides. (They are also likely to read the guides; it's always good to get other perspectives and see the signposts others have put up even if you think they head towards the swamp).</p><p></p><p>A Net Decker is likely to min-max in my experience and end up with a one trick pony.</p><p></p><p>An Explorer wants to engage with the system. They might well produce one trick ponies - but that's for the theory competitions. Breadth matters at least as much as focus because you can explore much more with breadth.</p><p></p><p>(This isn't to say that Explorers don't deliberately produce crippling weaknesses in their character - a fictional example of a character min-maxed by an Explorer appeared in a summer blockbuster this year. Min maxed to the point of only being able to say three words, and putting the points from that crippling disadvantage into other stuff. Those three words? "I am Groot!")</p><p></p><p>And where to stop? It depends entirely on the group and what you are exploring. And what the game is. Generally my line is "All else being equal, don't use blatant exploits". Until I know exactly what the group and GM are going for.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Neonchameleon, post: 6366825, member: 87792"] OK. Firstly, I'm going to split Explorers off from Net Deckers - both are people lumped under the heading of optimisers. The difference is that a Net Decker wants to play a powerful character and will read through the guides, picking the "best" options. An Explorer wants to understand the game and the system and is likely to write some of those guides. (They are also likely to read the guides; it's always good to get other perspectives and see the signposts others have put up even if you think they head towards the swamp). A Net Decker is likely to min-max in my experience and end up with a one trick pony. An Explorer wants to engage with the system. They might well produce one trick ponies - but that's for the theory competitions. Breadth matters at least as much as focus because you can explore much more with breadth. (This isn't to say that Explorers don't deliberately produce crippling weaknesses in their character - a fictional example of a character min-maxed by an Explorer appeared in a summer blockbuster this year. Min maxed to the point of only being able to say three words, and putting the points from that crippling disadvantage into other stuff. Those three words? "I am Groot!") And where to stop? It depends entirely on the group and what you are exploring. And what the game is. Generally my line is "All else being equal, don't use blatant exploits". Until I know exactly what the group and GM are going for. [/QUOTE]
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