06-08-2009, 01:31 PM | #41 |
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
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Re: Attribute Limits
I can't talk about a "realistic" game, because I get the distinct impression what folks mean when they say "realistic" varies wildly.
I do run a Dungeon Fantasy game, and I have completely arbitrarily limited people to 20 or less, plus their racial attribute modifier, unless the attribute is one heavily associated with their archetype (As per the DF rules).IE: I use it to enforce niche protection, not for "realism". For a minimum I do it slightly differently, the minimum is the worst of 8 or (8 + racial modifier). I enforce the DF recommended 50 point disad limit, not to enforce some sort of statistical norm but to protect my players from themselves. A low attribute is a really bad idea in a dungeon crawl. I haven't had anyone even bump into the 20 barrier, so it's mostly an abstract restriction. They've got other things to spend their points on.
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06-08-2009, 01:40 PM | #42 | |
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Re: Attribute Limits
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-Max |
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06-08-2009, 10:33 PM | #43 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: Attribute Limits
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06-09-2009, 10:19 PM | #44 |
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Re: Attribute Limits
For stats other than ST, I'd go with 15 or so as a cap. Beyond that gives pretty odd results. Note that Michael Jordan who probably has pretty near peak human DX was still unable to play baseball at a major league level. For ST, I'd allow it to go much higher but link it to the character's size. The problem is GURPS ST covers a wide range of abilities:
How hard you hit How much you can lift How much you can carry long term How much structural damage you can take A rough proxy for mass. I would assume that a weight lifter has relatively high ST, plus Lifting ST and Lifting skill. I'm going to politely ignore how messed up Lifting skill is. My own quick and dirty guide for realistic ST would be to base ST off of the cube root of useful body weight times 2, and then allow +/-30% variation. Add a -10% modifier for female characters if you want to be a stickler for realism. So if you want a character with ST 18, you'll need to be a huge fellow probably clearing 300 lbs (without much body fat.) - DW |
06-09-2009, 10:59 PM | #45 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: Attribute Limits
Why, when you can have both? Requiring something akin to Special Exercises to exceed (racial average × n) in a basic attribute (where n could be 1.5 or 2, for instance) is both simple, consistent with the rest of the system, and encourages Elves being more dextrous than Dwarves (etc.) without imposing hard upper bounds.
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06-10-2009, 12:53 AM | #46 |
Join Date: Feb 2009
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Re: Attribute Limits
Id probably go with max of 18 if I was ever inclined to limit the max
And lowest Id allow might me 6 if I was inclined to limit the min |
06-10-2009, 10:43 AM | #47 | |
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Calgary, AB... looking for a few more to join us.
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Re: Attribute Limits
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To put it bluntly, to the OP, you're wasting your time. Most characters will need points spent in other areas to be effective, not just in attributes. If anything, this is another vote for the 'run a session to create characters' camp.
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06-10-2009, 11:22 AM | #48 | |
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Massachusetts
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Re: Attribute Limits
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Likewise most geniuses probably have IQ 14-16 with several levels of talent in their field of mastery. Of course the problem with one IQ stat is that in the real world, there are so many types of intelligence, and people can be brilliant at say, problem solving and have a horrible memory (and even memory can be subdivided into different parts that don't necessary correlate with each other). |
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06-10-2009, 11:03 PM | #49 | |
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Re: Attribute Limits
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Snatch: BL*5 Clean & Jerk: BL*6 bench press: BL*7.5 Deadlift: BL*10 That roughly corresponds to the ratios for the world records in these lifts and gives a ST 10 character a basic bench press of 150, which seems reasonable. The world record for the snatch is about 469 lbs, which by this scale could be done with a ST of 22. However, in game terms the record holder probably had Lifting ST plus a high Lifting skill and a good roll, so I'd drop ST to more like 18 or 19. And the record holder, Hossein Rezazadeh weighs close to 360 lbs. That suggests a lower base ST for the overwhelming majority of athletes. - DW |
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06-11-2009, 12:21 PM | #50 |
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Denmark
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Re: Attribute Limits
I don't put in limits, but I usually encourage a limit. That is, if I player relly wants to they can have it, but make it clear what is high and exceptional for the setting.
But even if you set a max I think it's wrong to set the same for all stats. ST don't mind people boosting how high they want. It only matters for combat anyway. DX I have a slight problem with anything over 15 as you then start to be able to do all DX-skills reliable even at default. IQ is as DX a problem once you go over 15 because so many skills are based on it. HT I never had to limit as players rarely take it very high. But I would encourage players to take Fit and/or Hard to kill/subdue instead. This is purely so that as a GM have a chance to effect them with HT-afflitions. |
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attributes, house rules |
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