How should I allow a deaf PC?

[CarlZog]

We're starting a Skull & Bones campaign, and one of the players has worked up a character concept of an ex-navy gunner who's gone partly or mostly deaf from the cannon blasts.

I want to encourage this kind of creative character development, particularly since some of these players tend to be stat-hounds, but I'm not sure what to do with this....

I'm a little concerned that it might be too disruptive to the flow of the game -- expecially if he gets into it. What do you think?

I guess the answer to that partly depends on how I adjudicate his disability, which leads to my second question: What are the stats for deafness? Obviously, no ranks in Listen, and probably a natural penalty, but how much? What other skills, feats, abilities, etc. would be affected and how?

From a S&B standpoint, I'd definitely consider it an Ill Fortune.

Carl

 

[Carpe DM]

well, this is more a rules question as it turns out. You're -4 on initiative checks, I think is the primary effect of being deafened. I understand that "deafened" is different from "deaf" as anyone who's been to a great rock concert can attest. But it's a start.

best,

Carpe

 

[hong]

We're starting a Skull & Bones campaign, and one of the players has worked up a character concept of an ex-navy gunner who's gone partly or mostly deaf from the cannon blasts.

I want to encourage this kind of creative character development, particularly since some of these players tend to be stat-hounds, but I'm not sure what to do with this....

I'm a little concerned that it might be too disruptive to the flow of the game -- expecially if he gets into it. What do you think?

I guess the answer to that partly depends on how I adjudicate his disability, which leads to my second question: What are the stats for deafness? Obviously, no ranks in Listen, and probably a natural penalty, but how much? What other skills, feats, abilities, etc. would be affected and how?

From a S&B standpoint, I'd definitely consider it an Ill Fortune.

Carl

Well, obviously there'll be plenty of problems with a hearing player wanting to play a deaf character:

1) Playing the character no different from any other so aside from the "deaf" on the character sheet one would never know

2) Go overboard with deafness problems/want to be a heavy metal survivor or something like that which just takes the game completely out of whack

3) Play a comic stereotype that is just insulting

and now and then, you just might find someone who will

4) Do an okay job with it

So really, it's just a terrible, terrible idea and you should ban all deaf characters immediately. On the off-chance you decide not to follow this bit of advice, I'd say a -4 penalty to init, automatically failing all Listen checks, and a 20% spell failure chance on spells with a V component should do nicely.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Well, obviously there'll be plenty of problems with a hearing player wanting to play a deaf character:

1) Playing the character no different from any other so aside from the "deaf" on the character sheet one would never know

2) Go overboard with deafness problems/want to be a heavy metal survivor or something like that which just takes the game completely out of whack

3) Play a comic stereotype that is just insulting

and now and then, you just might find someone who will

4) Do an okay job with it

So really, it's just a terrible, terrible idea and you should ban all deaf characters immediately. On the off-chance you decide not to follow this bit of advice, I'd say just a -4 penalty to init, automatically failing all Listen checks, and a 20% spell failure chance on spells with a V component should do nicely.

Are you sure you woudn't just give the character a strength penalty and a charisma bonus?


Seriously though, the guy should get some kind of bonus to offset the deafness A bonus to Spot, Search, and Disable Device because his other senses have improve to compensate, for example. Or damage resistance to sonic damage (not there's much sonic damage in the game aside from PC wizards with energy subsitution).

Happy gaming!

 

[orangefruitbat]

Well, if he's partially deaf, rather than totally deaf, I'd give him a -4 to Listen checks and a -2 to Init. To balance it out, I'd give him a bonus feat (kinda like the flaws from Unearthed Arcana).

If he's totally deaf, then he takes the penalties listed in the rules. I'd give him a bonus feat, 5 points of resistance vs sonic attacks.

In both cases, I'd allow him to take purchase ranks in Read Lips as a class skill (yes I know it's no longer a separate skill in 3.5).

 

[diaglo]

make innuendo a class skill in the 2000ed.


JoeBlank and i played in a game where he played a deaf halforc bodyguard. and i played his interpreter employer.

we each took speak language (sign)

 

[Squire James]

I'd avoid giving out rewards for disadvantages the character takes on for himself. It is very difficult to balance these things. I'd chalk it up as a -4 penalty to a skill he'll never use anyway, and let it go at that. If he annoys everyone with his "Eh? What did you say?" act in too often, or in serious situations, have a talk with the player about not killing everyone else's fun.

 

[CarlZog]

Seriously though, the guy should get some kind of bonus to offset the deafness A bonus to Spot, Search, and Disable Device because his other senses have improve to compensate, for example.

Well, in terms of Skull & Bones, by defining it as an "ill fortune", he'll also get to choose a "good fortune". It's that game's way of rounding out a character. Most of the fortunes act like feats.

Although I do like the idea of giving him some bonus in areas that would probably have improved to compensate.

Carl

 

[diaglo]

Although I do like the idea of giving him some bonus in areas that would probably have improved to compensate.

IYKWIMAITYD

diaglo" channelling hong cuz he's compensating" Ooi

 

[hong]

IYKWIMAITYD

diaglo" channelling hong cuz he's compensating" Ooi

"Is that a hearing trumpet in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?"