Should PCs be forced to act a certain way because of their stats?

[The Shaman]

It's that people don't seem to even express understanding people trying to follow the description of Intelligence (for example) in the book.

Well, in some cases it could well be as [MENTION=8835]Janx[/MENTION] notes, that some segment of gamers don't really pay attention to how the ability description is worded.

I think a more likely explanation is that they simply don't care all that much, that engaging the player's intellect is more important and more fun than simulating the character's.

 

[JamesonCourage]

Well, in some cases it could well be as [MENTION=8835]Janx[/MENTION] notes, that some segment of gamers don't really pay attention to how the ability description is worded.

I think a more likely explanation is that they simply don't care all that much, that engaging the player's intellect is more important and more fun than simulating the character's.

That's probably true. The simply acknowledgement is kind of baffling to me, though.

 

[avin]

If the 18 DEX ninja is the same level, he will be more skilled, yes; but if there's a reasonable level disparity, that's not true; it also overlooks the fact that Hubert will have better ninja skills than others in the party who are not ninjas or similarly stealthy characters.

In my book, as you say, It makes no sense a clan of ninjas accepting a low DEX newbie. Unless I'm running a silly campaign, of course.

So there won't be a reasonable level of disparity, because your low Dex ninja will be unable to be skilled just by watching movies and reading on internet.

In fact, in a game of mine he would never be a level 1 ninja. To be a level 1 ninja he must be trained by a real ninja. What you described to me is a commoner ninja wannabe. Not every DM follow the same book.

He may well be, but if the player's having fun running a character who believes he's a commanding presence, and he gets lucky enough once in awhile to reinforce that belief, then who care if it's epic or not?

You know, I get this impression my games seem a bit more simulationist than yours... a CHA 6 won't be accepted as a leader, even if he's stronger than others, even if he is son of the great orc army commander.

Your arguments don't match my RPG experience.

 

[Zelda Themelin]

That's why I don't believe in 'backgrounds' for beginning level characters. Your character's background will be the story you forge at the table, in-game. When you are 10th level looking back over your exploits, that's your background.

I used to be one of those people who do pages of background for chars. Then I got burn-out. It's kinda boring, never really matters so much in game and you have to write lot of boring stuff for char who is just in lv 1. Sure sometimes for some games there is change to make some weird characacter even at lv 1 where background that's somewhat interesting.

I feel I am wasting people's time to make them read that. It's fun when character does some stuff during the real game and you have freedom to come up with all kinda stuff rather than be stuck with the case of crappy pre-write, which someone might want you to stick with.

Nowdays if I write anything on character few scenarions suggesting for place/time to start adventuring. Or some answer to question why I have this character class, ingame excuse.

 

[Mallus]

You know, I get this impression my games seem a bit more simulationist than yours... a CHA 6 won't be accepted as a leader, even if he's stronger than others, even if he is son of the great orc army commander.

Does the name Richard Milhous Nixon ring a bell ?

Your arguments don't match my RPG experience.

Your argument implies real history wasn't very "simulationist".

 

[avin]

Does the name Richard Milhous Nixon ring a bell ?

Your argument implies real history wasn't very "simulationist".

Was his CHA so low? Then why so many americans voted him? I'm not american, nor a Nixon fan, but I seriously doubt he had CHA 6, so my argument stands, IMHO.

 

[billd91]

Was his CHA so low? Then why so many americans voted him? I'm not american, nor a Nixon fan, but I seriously doubt he had CHA 6, so my argument stands, IMHO.

Never overestimate the intelligence of the voters. It only leads to heartbreak.

I don't think I'd say Nixon had a 6, but I also wouldn't say it was anything more than merely average. Nixon's strengths weren't in his likability, personality, or magnetism. He was a pretty smart guy and a good debater. He also picked issues he could readily and cynically exploit with the public (international communism, the Vietnam war). None of those require much real world charisma, really.

I also take the position that I wouldn't give Hitler an 18 charisma. Hitler relentlessly worked on crafting his image, spending hours in front of mirrors perfecting his stance, his motions, his delivery of speeches. I'd probably give him a 14, pump up his performance (oratory) skill, and give him some skill focus. In person, particularly as he aged, people found him to be pretty damn tedious - they just couldn't leave the room.

 

[Bedrockgames]

Does the name Richard Milhous Nixon ring a bell ?


Your argument implies real history wasn't very "simulationist".

Yes but if nixon were a PC he was playing low CHR perfectly. Everyone agrees he lacked charm and good looks. All this means is there are other ways to rise to leadership positions. I have no problem with low CHR characters achieving leadership positions (maybe your guy has chr 6 but is an idea man or master strategist). So I'd be fine with a nixon type in my game, but would expect an explanation if the player started playing him as a suave ladies man like Clinton.

 

[The Shaman]

To be a level 1 ninja he must be trained by a real ninja.

You're still stuck on the background fluff?

The whole thing about studying videos? It's a cover story. Hubert was actually trained by his uncle, a master of the White Lotus clan. Uncle Yoshi would've preferred a different student, someone with greater natural aptitude, but cancer made his time short, and Hubert was a willing and eager pupil.

Does that satisfy your 'simulationism?'

You know, I get this impression my games seem a bit more simulationist than yours...

O RLY?

. . . a CHA 6 won't be accepted as a leader, even if he's stronger than others, even if he is son of the great orc army commander.

Which is rather the point.

He can try to rally troops to his banner, but it's not going to happen very often, and when it does it's not going to last very long.

But it could be a lot of fun to roleplay.

 

[The Shaman]

Funnily enough The Shaman, you actually come down on my side of the fence in the end.

That sounds pretty unlikely.

As you say, characters have "Secrets" in your game which you expect them to portray. If stats on the character sheet didn't matter . . .

They do matter, just not in the way you keep claiming they do.

. . . then why do these?

What's the difference?

Per the Flashing Blades core rules, a 12 Wit means you have an extra skill point and a + 1 to martial expertise, and the 12 becomes the base score for a number of skills.

The Secret "Religious Fanatic" means your character "believes thoroughly in his religious doctrines and may be closely affiliated with his church" and may become enraged by "blasphemous ceremonies or comments."