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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Zappo" data-source="post: 1454133" data-attributes="member: 633">I define balance as the property that two characters of the same ECL should have the same power, and power as effectiveness at overcoming challenges. Substitute ECL for CP in GURPS, or whatever your system of choice uses. Which means that 1) balance != combat balance, and 2) balance depends on the nature of challenges; a barbarian in a no-combat politics campaign is probably very underpowered, and 3) balance != party balance, you want a party where a character is stronger, just make him higher level; this doesn't make the system unbalanced.  That said, balance is not a necessity, but it is a highly desirable quality. The aim of the game is to have fun, and good balance makes that easier. Further, good balance greatly encourages character diversity, which is generally seen as another desirable quality. Finally, good balance has no negative effects on any game or gaming style that I can think of. From these considerations, I find 3E's attention towards balance amply justified.  As for the idea of "throwing balance out of the window", IMO it is just irrational. Unless you tell me what I gain in return, and it better be something good - "more time to do something else" doesn't make the cut, that's just laziness or poor design skills talking.</blockquote>