Atros

Yes, you can abstract out any ability for the most part. The abstracting COM seemed to come up (getting back to Yamo's comment), because it pretty much has no game effect as written. This abstraction might not be for you; that is fine. But I couldn't help but support Yamo's comment as *not* being outlandish, particularly when you consider the other Characteristics each have solid mechanics governing thier effects.

This astounds me. You'd think that Presence would matter as much, if not moreso--particularly once initial impressions were over. Oh, well. But the greater point here is that physical beauty still exists in games without the COM Characteristic, it's just different. What I was saying was nobody missed the Characteristic.

Becuase removing COM doesn't take anyone's fun. You can be hunkish/babeish for free. If you'd want a positive game effect with that, you can slap your points down for limited PRE or enhanced social skills. Put simply, 'comliness' becomes a Special Effect. It's still in the game for those that care, and after playing that way for years, I've learned (despite all the naysayers commentary) a vast majority of players just don't care much about it. What internet denizens have wasted hours arguing (I've seen this same arguement over 10 years ago, replicated several times since) was barely noticed in actual play, much less worried about. Which is why I rate it a minor enhancement--games will work fine either way, because the reasons games go well or poorly are usually rooted in other issues. (Edited for sloppy grammer.)

Although barrel length has little effect on muzzle velocity in most cases, it does really show up in things like snub-nose (2" barrel) revolvers, derringers, and SMGs chambered with rifle rounds. On these sorts of weapons, you can usually knock off a DC since so much of the expanding gas cloud is lost when the bullet leaves the barrel comparitively early. (I did the calcs once upon a time, and now just run by that generality.)

A few things, not major, but noteworthy: (1) Removing an orphan mechanic, with such a minor game mechanic effect that almost no characters are effected. Therefore, no cost should be assessed. (2) Avoiding measure of an unmeasurable value. Even if we assume the game world to be humanocentric, you still do not have absolute values to physical beauty among humans. I'd describe removing COM as 'minor housekeeping'. Then again, a dirty house is often a collective problem of minor messes.

Real simple question I guess: Character A uses Find Weakness, 11-, against Character B, with 4 pts of Lack of Weakness on his Armor (and none on his base PD.) Character A rolls a 9. Is Character B's PD halved while his Armor is at full value? Or did Character A need to state which defense he was targeting with his Find Weakness? (I heard another poster say something to that nature.)

COM isn't like STR, Bob. While there is as much 'precedent' for COM as there is for cheap STR, there isn't the ripple effect associated with changing STR cost--elimination of COM doesn't really substantially effect other game systems down the road. (I've experimented with both.) However, the benefits for removing COM, while they are benefits, are small in magnitude.