[BUG] Social Stigma (Minor) incorrect reaction value

[RogerBW]

Social Stigma (Minor) - on B155 - lists "You suffer -2 on reaction rolls whenever you try to deal with others as an adult".

The GURPS Basic Set 4th Ed.--Characters.gdf lists this as a -1 penalty (line 3509 in the version that claims to be Modified: Mar 6, 2007; the 15AUG2008 update has been applied).

[Angel Darkover]

Social Stigmas are impossible to set in stone, as they are very setting-specific. In some settings, it may be a -1, but in others it might be a -3. The only consistent thing is that Social Stigma is -5 pts for every -1 to reaction rolls.

[RogerBW]

Originally Posted by Angel Darkover

Social Stigmas are impossible to set in stone, as they are very setting-specific. In some settings, it may be a -1, but in others it might be a -3.

That is true for Social Stigma in general.

Social Stigma (Minor) is explicitly set at -2, and -10 points. A setting could modify that, but that's not what is in the book.

Originally Posted by Angel Darkover

The only consistent thing is that Social Stigma is -5 pts for every -1 to reaction rolls.

So even ignoring the rules as written and proceeding on your favoured basis the datafile gets it wrong.

[carllarson]

Partly this is because the reaction penalty is -2, but the final cost is -5cp.

Reaction penalties are -1 per -5cp, but recall there are parts implied in the costs as well. Frequency of Appearance, People Affected both matter, just as in Reputation (Social Stigma is pretty much just a bad rep for whatever).

Frex, other minors don't necessarily react at -2, only adults who don't fully respect you. So, its not the whole population. Which, in People Affected, is Large class (x1/2).

Also, GCA lists the penalty as conditional, which may or may not display on the character sheet.

[ericbsmith]

Originally Posted by carllarson

Partly this is becasue the reaction penalty is -2, but the final cost is -5cp.

Which, of course, is not what the data file lists. The data file only has a -1 penalty, which is incorrect. Case closed.

As for why it's -2 and only -5pts, it's likely because it only applies when a child is trying to deal with others as an adult. There are many situations where that reaction penalty may not apply. Most social stigmas cannot be "turned off;" if you're the wrong race or the wrong sex the penalty always applies. If you're a kid there are times when you may be treated unfairly, but there are other times when you may be helped or protected because you are a kid.