Stat inflation in Decks of Destiny

[hcobb]

The lack of non-fighter hero cards maxes out heroes to 38 attribute points when applying some modifier cards.

First the fighters are all 34 point characters to begin with: ST + DX which total to 24 plus the note that "In a Wizard game, increase IQs to 10."

Then play the Master Physicker card and the simple fighter is now 24 points of ST + DX added to IQ 14 is 38 attribute points, a 2300 XP character, or more depending on the order of adding those attributes WRT talent costs.

How are 32 point wizards expected to keep up?

[ColBosch]

Originally Posted by hcobb

How are 32 point wizards expected to keep up?

I don't understand what the problem is here. Just give the wizards a couple extra points if you feel everyone has to be at precisely the same level.

[hcobb]

The problem is that there are no non-fighter heroes. Your support heroes have full combat stats in addition to their high-IQ talents. The fix would be to stat out the healer, thief, naturalist, etc. as distinct balanced characters rather than as add-ons on top of front line fighters.

[larsdangly]

Do you mean they max out at 38, as in your example, or 48, as in your top line? If they are sending us cards with 48 point characters I'll be pretty ticked, but 38 point characters will be common for campaigns that have been going on for a few months, or people who play a lot of melee/wizard.

[larsdangly]

I think the way to create non fighter specialists is to just have a default sort of profile (or a set of them) with no combat skills, and then draw a talent card.

[JLV]

I'm confused by this whole issue. If I don't "like" the results I get, I re-draw. If I don't have a fighter with an IQ sufficient for some super talent, I either re-draw, pick a different talent, or modify the fighter to fit the circumstances (by adjusting his characteristics to allow for the necessary IQ) and write him up on a blank fighter-pad sheet. I almost never slavishly follow whatever pops up unless I'm playing solitaire, and then the challenge is different for me as a player anyway. Why are we making this so hard?

[ColBosch]

Originally Posted by JLV

I'm confused by this whole issue. If I don't "like" the results I get, I re-draw. If I don't have a fighter with an IQ sufficient for some super talent, I either re-draw, pick a different talent, or modify the fighter to fit the circumstances (by adjusting his characteristics to allow for the necessary IQ) and write him up on a blank fighter-pad sheet. I almost never slavishly follow whatever pops up unless I'm playing solitaire, and then the challenge is different for me as a player anyway. Why are we making this so hard?

Especially since Master Physicker is a non-combat skill. It's the sort of thing chosen by an especially cool player in a campaign. I am 100% fine with it being a random card draw. I am utterly confused by it somehow threatening lower-point Wizards.

[hcobb]

Originally Posted by ColBosch

Especially since Master Physicker is a non-combat skill. It's the sort of thing chosen by an especially cool player in a campaign. I am 100% fine with it being a random card draw. I am utterly confused by it somehow threatening lower-point Wizards.

Several spells are resisted by IQ, hence the IQ 10 rule when wizards are around.

Going up against 38 attribute monsters will limit wizard ability to use Control Person or Illusions. Normally the people who could resist their spells would not also be competent fighters. This is the same as handing out 22 point powerstones to starting wizards.

[philreed]

Originally Posted by ColBosch

I am utterly confused by it somehow threatening lower-point Wizards.

It's a non-issue for most players. The tools are there for the players and GMs to have fun; just settle on a format in advance and then dive in and adventure.