Stupid feat naming: Does it really matter that much?

[Imban]

Yeah, fluffy naming can cause problems sometimes, but they're not the problems that I keep seeing people mention. To use Exalted as a example, since it uses fluff naming far more extensively than 4e will, Implicit Construction Methodology says very little about what it does, except maybe "constructs things". That's not the problem - anyone who's actually read the ability will know in an instant that it's the top-tier (and sorta broken) Sidereal Craft charm any time they see the name.

The problems are the injection of very setting-specific flavor into the core rules - which Exalted does to a huge extent, being one of the most setting-specific games out there - and the fluffy names being just plain hard to remember. While hearing "Golden Wyvern Adept" after I've read its power will instantly call its ability to my mind, it's sometimes harder to go the other way: goodness knows I've said "Distracting Finger Gesture Technique" when I meant "Distracting Finger-Gesture Attack" and "Cloud of Fiery Devils" when I meant "Cloud of Ebon Devils" enough times, where I know exactly what power I'm talking about and can't recall its actual fluff name.

 

[shilsen]

Um, how would that work? How would anyone know what feat you "really" had, then?

Who cares if anyone else can identify the feat or not? As long as the player can, that's all you need.

 

[Dausuul]

Who cares if anyone else can identify the feat or not? As long as the player can, that's all you need.

Some DMs prefer not to operate in the dark where the PCs' capabilities are concerned. I want to be able to review my players' character sheets now and then, without requiring the player to do translation for me.

 

[shilsen]

Some DMs prefer not to operate in the dark where the PCs' capabilities are concerned.

Me neither. I actually have a Word document with a copy of each character.

I want to be able to review my players' character sheets now and then, without requiring the player to do translation for me.

And in the aforementioned Word document I have a small note next to abilities I might have trouble identifying. And most of the time I don't need it, since I can remember it easily. It's hardly a problem.

 

[CleverNickName]

Who cares if anyone else can identify the feat or not? As long as the player can, that's all you need.

Beat me to the punch. Well-said, my man. (tips hat)

 

[BryonD]

It is a bad idea because of communication.

If I tell my players that Power Attack is called Mountain Impact, they will say "ok".
If I tell my players that Golden Wyvern Adept is called Master of Battle Spells, they will ask "What does Golden Wyvern Adept do?".

If two months into the game they forget what Mountain Impact does I'll say "Power Attack" and they say "Oh, yeah." If they forget what Master of Battle Spells is I'll say "Golden Wyvern Adept" and they will say "Which was what again?".

Being dumb sounding has nothing to do with it. I might love Golden Wyvern Adept on flavor grounds. It is still really bad communication.

 

[Mallus]

And in the aforementioned Word document I have a small note next to abilities I might have trouble identifying. And most of the time I don't need it, since I can remember it easily. It's hardly a problem.

It's weird what some people find bothersome, isn't it? I encourage people apply their own names/fluff to existing mechanics as a way of personalizing their characters.

Speaking of that, shil, I going to rename some spells on Emil Shiraz's list... I can't decide if his gem-based version of Brambles/Spikes will be called "The Carat and the Stick" or "Diamonds Scar Forever". Both are good.

 

[Oldtimer]

Me neither. I actually have a Word document with a copy of each character.



And in the aforementioned Word document I have a small note next to abilities I might have trouble identifying. And most of the time I don't need it, since I can remember it easily. It's hardly a problem.

Well, it is for me. And maybe a whole lot of other people.

 

[Nifft]

Um, how would that work? How would anyone know what feat you "really" had, then?

"That jerk what trips me with a +20% success rate over other warriors of comparable experience, normalized for maximum carrying capacity!"

... yeah, it's kinda hard to tell from the outside.

Cheers, -- N

 

[JDJblatherings]

I think it doesn't really matter. No character knows his abilities are called "power attack" or "rapid shot" or whatever and they don't scream "sneak attaaaaack" They won't know they have "Dragon tail" cut or "Lightning panther attack" either. This nonsense will just be written with pencil in the character sheet, and that's it.

WotC come up with horrible names, big deal.

The character would likely know the names of thier abilities, at least the combat related ones. Real-life martial artists, fencers and wrestlers know the names of every move they make (or are able to learn the names of evry move they make). Sure they don't scream snaek attack but they should eventually learn a Ronnseau Pass is best thrwarted with a Leomadric Counter.


Yes WOTC came up with some dodgie names.