Why is Broad-Minded a Quirk?

[Agemegos]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

You seem to be completely forgetting the nature of what is advantageous and disadvantageous for characters in a roleplaying game context.

And you seem to be overlooking the fact that in GURPS 4e, a quirk is not necessarily a disadvantage. Dig out a copy of Characters, check p. 162, and then get back to us.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

That's not the relevant perspective. The appropriate one is from the perspective of whether a PC has more and/or easier choices.

Yeah, if it weren't a quirk, that would be true.

As it is a quirk, it only has to suggest a subset of choices without forbidding any. Which it does.

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by Brett

And you seem to be overlooking the fact that in GURPS 4e, a quirk is not necessarily a disadvantage. Dig out a copy of Characters, check p. 162, and then get back to us.

Not at all, and not in the least. I'm quite clear on that. I made that point earlier, up the thread.

A quirk is not supposed to be advantageous though, either, and that's the problem with Broadminded.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

Not at all, and not in the least. I'm quite clear on that. I made that point earlier, up the thread.

A quirk is not supposed to be advantageous though, either, and that's the problem with Broadminded.

What does Broadminded let you do that you couldn't already? It doesn't add any capabilities, obviously, and "not broadminded" is not a mental disadvantage.

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

What does Broadminded let you do that you couldn't already? It doesn't add any capabilities, obviously, and "not broadminded" is not a mental disadvantage.

I refer you to the description in Characters. As I mentioned, no specific mechanics are provided, but the description contains only beneficial features. As described, it should be a perk, not a quirk.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

I refer you to the description in Characters. As I mentioned, no specific mechanics are provided, but the description contains only beneficial features. As described, it should be a perk, not a quirk.

It absolutely can't be a perk, since perks by definition have beneficial mechanics.

It's impossible for a non-mechanical quirk to contain beneficial features. The so-called benefits of Broad-Minded are all things that a non-Broad-Minded character could do just as well, so there's no actual benefit. One could argue that there's no detriment, but as established that isn't required for a quirk.

[Ragitsu]

Hm, can Broad-Minded be a 0 Point Feature?

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Ragitsu

Hm, can Broad-Minded be a 0 Point Feature?

There are criteria to qualify as a mental quirk are in two bullet points on B163. I'm not sure if Broad-Minded hits either of the possibilities.

On the one, it could be argued that it requires a specific choice on your part from time to time. I'd let it by under that, but it's debatable.

On the other, it doesn't say anything about giving any penalty ever. It calls itself a trivial form of Xenophilia, but it's taken a disadvantage that only dictates roleplay in narrow circumstances in the first place and slimmed it down...does it still make the cut?

I'd say on a list that includes Habits or Expressions, Likes, and Dislikes (telephone solicitors), Broad-Minded is fine...

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

I refer you to the description in Characters. As I mentioned, no specific mechanics are provided, but the description contains only beneficial features.

It doesn't contain any beneficial features.

[Phil Masters]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

Attentive is another Perquirk -- a slightly less useful Single-minded that you get a point by taking!

-3 to notice stuff when working on any sort of long task? It really shouldn't take much of a killer GM to make that downright life-threatening.