Disadvantages Issues

[Greywind]

Then why play with him?

[ajackson]

Then why play with him?

I think that's your question to answer, not mine. If he isn't going to honor the 'plot hooks' listed on your character sheet, he's a bad GM, and there's really no reason to think he'll do any better of a job with the hunteds.

[Greywind]

Not necessarily. The system gives a means to the character to get those hooks and a way that more or less requires the GM to honor them.

[ajackson]

Not necessarily. The system gives a means to the character to get those hooks and a way that more or less requires the GM to honor them.

This assertion is incompatible with the claim that the GM decides when disadvantages come up.

[Greywind]

Not at all.

[ghost-angel]

A GM is under no obligation to use Disadvantages either under the current system or any other proposed system.

The mere act of having them in the system is not a garauntee that they will see game-play. It's not really a valid argument to go on. you can't Force a GM to do anything any more than you can FORCE a Player to do something.

I happen to like Disadvantages, not specifically in their current incarnation, but I don't want to see them go away. Especially not for "Hero Points" which is a system I actaully abhore.
But I like them not because they "force" roleplay in any way. I just happen to like the asthetics of them.

[Klaus Mogensen]

Many "Disadvantages" are merely story hooks; they may inconvenience the character, but they don't make him/her weaker, and they often make life more interesting for the player. I don't think these should give character points. I have suggested rewarding such "Background Traits" with hero points when they come into play, but there has been some opposition to that. However, I think Background Traits can be written up as 0-point traits without requiring hero points (except as an option):

Background Traits
Background Traits are aspects of a character's background that detail the character's past history and the complications and connections that is a part of the character's baggage. Background Traits are neither abilities or weaknesses - they don't make the character more or less powerful. Instead, they are external circumstances that influence the character's life. They can sometimes be helpful, and at other times an inconvenience. In short, they help make life interesting for the character.

Background Traits have no value in terms of character points, but have built-in advantages and disadvantages that should balance out over time. The GM could keep a tally of when the Trait helps the character and when it inconveniences him, and try to keep this from swinging too far in either direction.

If the optional rule of hero points is used, the GM can award a character with hero points whenever a Background Trait inconvenience the character, and require payment of hero points whenever the character uses the Trait to help himself.

Example: Arch-Enemy
The character has a bitter foe. This could be a single person, or it could be an organization.
Advantage: Whenever the character deals with the arch-enemy, he gets a +2 bonus to all attack and skill rolls because he is familiar with his enemy's methods and weaknesses.
Disadvantage: The arch-enemy will at times pop up during an adventure and try to make life hard for the character, either through a direct attack or by putting obstacles in the character's path.

Example: Great Beauty
The character is a rare beauty; one that turns the heads of everyone.
Advantage: The character gets a +2 bonus in social situations where beauty can play a factor.
Disadvantage: The character's great beauty will often attract unwanted attention from the opposite sex or jealously from the same sex. It also makes it hard to stay inconspicuous.

Example: Affiliation
The character belongs to an organization of some kind - a guild, the military, the priesthood, a secret society, etc.
Advantage: The character can depend on the organization's support when the situation call for it: Access to special equipment, legal aid, or direct assistance from members of the organization.
Disadvantage: The organization that the character belongs to may at times make requirements of the character and/or may require a certain code of conduct.

Example: Contact
The character has a contact with access to information that isn't publically available. Examples could be an underworld contact, a police officer, a journalist, a court advisor, etc.
Advantage: The contact can provide information that helps the character to solve a given problem or task.
Disadvantage: The contact may require a favor in return for information.

Example: Authority
The character has political, legal, military, or other authority that allows him to command certain types of NPCs.
Advantage: The character can command NPCs to help with certain problems or tasks.
Disadvantage: The character has responsibilities that may restrict his ability to act in some situations.

Note that some of these Background Traits have characteristics of both Disadvantages and Perks; this is intentional.

- Klaus

[AnotherSkip]

soooo i can add every one of these to my character with out adding to my point totals?

not so sure about that.....

[Steve Long]

Hey folx! It's time for me to start reading all the 6E threads, and that means I need to lock them.

Hopefully 15 months has been plenty of time for anyone who wanted to have a say, to have a say. So please, don't start up other threads to try to continue discussions, send me PMs with points you "just have to make," or anything like that. It's time for y'all to sit back, relax, have a frosty beverage, and let me get 6E written.

We definitely appreciate everyone's interest, participation, and ideas! I'm looking forward to reading the posts and seeing what nuggets of wisdom lurk therein. I have no doubt 6E is going to be even better than it would have been because of our fans' enthusiastic efforts at providing us with input and suggestions.