TwoHeadsBarking
First Post
This isn't a proposal. I'm not proposing anything. I just want a discussion, which may eventually lead to a proposal.
So, as an increasingly large number of you are aware, I've been on a character checking spree. Something I've noticed about is that a significant number of the new characters I've looked at (ok, three, but that's three out of four) have taken a PHB2 background instead of the Transitive Isles specific ones. I'm sure this is going to become increasingly common as time goes on, and I think something should be done about it.
Courses of Action that I think are decent ideas:
1. Ignore it. Just let things happen as they do. Older characters will just have different types of backgrounds.
Pros: No extra work required.
Cons: Creates a difference in power between characters. Generally, not a huge one. The older characters do get something of the short end of the stick, and may occasionally glare resentfully and these young upstarts with their choices. Also, the current backgrounds are hardly balanced as it stands. Compare Kingdom of Jade (+1 Insight, +2 Bluff in social settings) to Ea (+1 Insight, ability to potentially identify what kind of psychic monster is beating you up) if you disagree. Oh no, I can only lie to people? What a drawback*.
2. Abolish the current backgrounds. Everyone who currently has a background can replace it with a new one at their next level up. If you say you're from Bacarte, your word is good enough for me**.
Pros: Completely evens out the playing field.
Cons: A small amount of extra work. I suggest that the switch should be done while leveling because it's not a big enough deal to make the character go under review just for that. Also, we may lose a little flavor.
3. Abolish the current backgrounds, replace them with a limited selection of the new ones. Basically, the PHB2 has the Criminal background, which has a number of skills you can choose from to either get +2 to or have added to your class list. Well, right now we have backgrounds like Daunton and Kingdom of Jade. Currently, the Kingdom gives bonuses to Insight and Bluff. So under this suggested system, if you're from the Kingdom, you can have Insight or Bluff added to your class list or boosted (exclusive "or" in all cases). Or, you know, the extra language, I guess. I mean, if that's your thing.
Pros: A compromise between the above two suggestions. More balanced, but holds on to some flavor.
Cons: Still restricts choices. Will actually involve more work than #2, because we'd need to come up with each region's favored skills.
Anyway, those are my ideas. I like #2, myself. Thoughts?
*Yes, I'm aware that there are other uses of Bluff. I've never had one of them come up in game, and I would be surprised if you have found causing a distraction or feinting more useful overall than lying.
**Now, I know you're going to say, "But if he's from Bacarte he's a lying pirate! You can't trust his word!" Way ahead of you. You see, if he's not from Bacarte, then he's not a pirate, and therefore can be trusted when he says he's from Bacarte. If he is from Bacarte, then it doesn't matter if he's lying. I already know he's from Bacarte. So regardless of whether he is or is not from Bacarte, he must be from Bacarte. Pretty clever, don't you think?
So, as an increasingly large number of you are aware, I've been on a character checking spree. Something I've noticed about is that a significant number of the new characters I've looked at (ok, three, but that's three out of four) have taken a PHB2 background instead of the Transitive Isles specific ones. I'm sure this is going to become increasingly common as time goes on, and I think something should be done about it.
Courses of Action that I think are decent ideas:
1. Ignore it. Just let things happen as they do. Older characters will just have different types of backgrounds.
Pros: No extra work required.
Cons: Creates a difference in power between characters. Generally, not a huge one. The older characters do get something of the short end of the stick, and may occasionally glare resentfully and these young upstarts with their choices. Also, the current backgrounds are hardly balanced as it stands. Compare Kingdom of Jade (+1 Insight, +2 Bluff in social settings) to Ea (+1 Insight, ability to potentially identify what kind of psychic monster is beating you up) if you disagree. Oh no, I can only lie to people? What a drawback*.
2. Abolish the current backgrounds. Everyone who currently has a background can replace it with a new one at their next level up. If you say you're from Bacarte, your word is good enough for me**.
Pros: Completely evens out the playing field.
Cons: A small amount of extra work. I suggest that the switch should be done while leveling because it's not a big enough deal to make the character go under review just for that. Also, we may lose a little flavor.
3. Abolish the current backgrounds, replace them with a limited selection of the new ones. Basically, the PHB2 has the Criminal background, which has a number of skills you can choose from to either get +2 to or have added to your class list. Well, right now we have backgrounds like Daunton and Kingdom of Jade. Currently, the Kingdom gives bonuses to Insight and Bluff. So under this suggested system, if you're from the Kingdom, you can have Insight or Bluff added to your class list or boosted (exclusive "or" in all cases). Or, you know, the extra language, I guess. I mean, if that's your thing.
Pros: A compromise between the above two suggestions. More balanced, but holds on to some flavor.
Cons: Still restricts choices. Will actually involve more work than #2, because we'd need to come up with each region's favored skills.
Anyway, those are my ideas. I like #2, myself. Thoughts?
*Yes, I'm aware that there are other uses of Bluff. I've never had one of them come up in game, and I would be surprised if you have found causing a distraction or feinting more useful overall than lying.
**Now, I know you're going to say, "But if he's from Bacarte he's a lying pirate! You can't trust his word!" Way ahead of you. You see, if he's not from Bacarte, then he's not a pirate, and therefore can be trusted when he says he's from Bacarte. If he is from Bacarte, then it doesn't matter if he's lying. I already know he's from Bacarte. So regardless of whether he is or is not from Bacarte, he must be from Bacarte. Pretty clever, don't you think?
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