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<blockquote data-quote="LordVyreth" data-source="post: 4118891" data-attributes="member: 9626">I'm not so sure that's a good thing.&nbsp; For one thing, if you're going to fiat the better armor for the PCs, why even give the blacksmith a skill bonus.&nbsp; It's just as good as it has to be.&nbsp; By giving it a value, though, I want it to make sense.&nbsp; Like in this case, if he's the greatest blacksmith in the entire world, he should have a level, and it should be high.&nbsp; Being &quot;best in the world&quot; should be something earned.&nbsp; This doesn't mean he needs hit points, or AC, or other skills.&nbsp; Why would he?&nbsp; He won't be in the fight.&nbsp; If the guy is so much better than the PCs that they have to ask why he's not just killing the monsters for them, then the situation shouldn't really require the world's best blacksmith in the first place.&nbsp; It would be as much a suspicious coincidence as having, say, Betty the High Archmage in town when the attack starts.&nbsp; Either Betty decides to opt out or she wins the adventure for the PCs, two unsatisfactory responses.I guess this makes me one of the holdouts who liked the universal system.&nbsp; Sure, there should be ways to streamline skills and feats for NPCs and monsters, but I find the toughest parts will be the combat-related elements, like treasure and spells, anyway.&nbsp; I just like having a universe that makes consistent internal sense, plus the greater ease at letting NPCs/monsters serve as cohorts, allies, or even playable choices.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="LordVyreth, post: 4118891, member: 9626"] I'm not so sure that's a good thing. For one thing, if you're going to fiat the better armor for the PCs, why even give the blacksmith a skill bonus. It's just as good as it has to be. By giving it a value, though, I want it to make sense. Like in this case, if he's the greatest blacksmith in the entire world, he should have a level, and it should be high. Being "best in the world" should be something earned. This doesn't mean he needs hit points, or AC, or other skills. Why would he? He won't be in the fight. If the guy is so much better than the PCs that they have to ask why he's not just killing the monsters for them, then the situation shouldn't really require the world's best blacksmith in the first place. It would be as much a suspicious coincidence as having, say, Betty the High Archmage in town when the attack starts. Either Betty decides to opt out or she wins the adventure for the PCs, two unsatisfactory responses. I guess this makes me one of the holdouts who liked the universal system. Sure, there should be ways to streamline skills and feats for NPCs and monsters, but I find the toughest parts will be the combat-related elements, like treasure and spells, anyway. I just like having a universe that makes consistent internal sense, plus the greater ease at letting NPCs/monsters serve as cohorts, allies, or even playable choices. [/QUOTE]

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