House Rule: Re-combining Athletics, Any balance issues? Options

[Yerameyahu]

Nobody said that, TJ. My clear implication was that their *background* should match exceptional stats. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Shadowing 5, Running 5

...that must be the requirements for being a great shadowrunner, right?

You crack me up sometimes, SnowRaven. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Nobody said that, TJ. My clear implication was that their *background* should match exceptional stats. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

You are entirely correct in that their stats should be a reflection of their background, Yerameyahu. They should be, but rarely are. ESPECIALLY here on Dumpshock with the vast majority of characters put forth (Thought experiments notwithstanding). I believe the sentiment was/is "I'll just fill all the glaring holes in after the game starts." Even you are guilty of that, from what you have said. Most are. And you don't have to say it, nor do the others. It is quite evident in the character critiques that are offerred to those asking questions. How often do you see someone ask "Hey, why did you do this" or "Hey, what is the concept?" It always comes down to "Dude, you screwed up and to get the maximum bang for your buck just do this, and then purchase the holes in play."

It is the disconnect from making a living, breathing character and a collection of stats that tries to obtain the highest dicepool "in their specialty," but has absolutely no grounding in the background of the character. And yes, I know the normal comeback to that is "that any charater can be playable, because background and "Fluff" is just that. Any character concept can support any combination of stats."

However, I do not agree with that because it is blatantly not the case in the majority of circumstances. When asked why characters have stats that are so out of whack with the stated background of the character, the vast number of responses is "because the game system allows me to do that, and I would be stupid not to take advantage of that. Besides, My character is the Best of the Best of the Best, and that is just how it is." Never mind that the rest of their concept is on the cutting room floor because they could not afford to purchase the other supporting skills to make the concept work correctly. Concept is sacrificed for Large Dice Pools. No where is the decision making process centered in the character's background, at that point it has become a numbers exercise. I find that highly distasteful. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Glyph]

Nobody said that, TJ. My clear implication was that their *background* should match exceptional stats. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

But it would be hard to justify someone being that good at something. He would have to be some kind of elite professional criminal, the kind who deals with violence and betrayal on a regular basis, who works under the table doing dangerous jobs like corporate espionage and sabotage. How many shadowrunners would have that kind of background?

[Yerameyahu]

What did I say about glaring holes? :/

Not that it's relevant; here, I *only* said that there are plenty of reasons shadowrunners would have athletics scores above 2-3. Nothing else.

It's laudable to complain against bad roleplaying, but I'm just not sure who you're arguing against. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Certainly not me.

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Hahaha, Glyph. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)