DISCREPANCY: The Game of Imbalance

[Cor Azer]

Another option is stuff like Luck/Fate/Destiny (or whatever you want to call it). Systems like Green Ronin's Chronicle (ASoIaF) and Eden Studio's Unisystem allow characters of widely varying skill competencies, but compensate lesser skilled ones with more ad hoc drama/destiny to still allow equal participation.

 

[the Jester]

I haven't played it, but I understand that Ars Magica makes imbalanced characters work well.

 

[Nagol]

I haven't played it, but I understand that Ars Magica makes imbalanced characters work well.

Yes and no.

Ars Magica succeeds by having each player take turns with the different power levels. On any specific mission set the power imbalances are quite large. It's just that you know the balance will shift the next time.