09-05-2014, 12:24 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Heartland, U.S.A.
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Why is Combat Paralysis a physical (HT check) Disadvantage?
So if you fail a HT check, you're mentally stunned, and then need to pass a HT check to snap out of it. What is the argument for using HT checks instead of IQ or Will checks for this disadvantage? (I arrogantly presume that I've no reason to explain my assumption that IQ or Will would be more appropriate.)
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09-05-2014, 12:30 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Oregon
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Re: Why is Combat Paralysis a physical (HT check) Disadvantage?
The only distinction I can see between normal (physical) and mental stun is that for the former you roll HT and for the latter you roll IQ. So saying something is mental stun but with a HT roll seems pretty meaningless. Maybe there's some other distinction between the types of stun that I'm missing though.
What seems more problematic, IMO, is allowing an attribute roll to resist the effects of a disadvantage. This makes the same trait far more limiting to a character with low stats than one with high stats. It would make more sense to give it a Frequency number; a disadvantage that's less likely to affect you is worth fewer points. |
09-05-2014, 02:33 PM | #3 | |
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Re: Why is Combat Paralysis a physical (HT check) Disadvantage?
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Still, it'd not be too far off to just convert it to a SCR with those costs. And changing the description to a forced Do Nothing maneuver instead of Mental Stun. |
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09-05-2014, 04:59 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
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Re: Why is Combat Paralysis a physical (HT check) Disadvantage?
My vague guess is that in 3e it was aimed at animals with a "freeze" reflex, and aliens descended from same, and making it an IQ roll (which was the thing at the time, instead of SCRs and of course Will wasn't a thing either) would mean that deer, rabbits, etc would freeze ALL the dang time.
And then it just sort of got copy-pasted into 4e.
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09-05-2014, 05:04 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Why is Combat Paralysis a physical (HT check) Disadvantage?
Health rarely varies much among most animals. IQ obviously varies from near 0 to 15+. That makes it serious munchkin bait.
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Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check. |
09-05-2014, 05:29 PM | #7 | |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Why is Combat Paralysis a physical (HT check) Disadvantage?
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This, however, is very likely. |
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Tags |
combat, disadvantage, rules question |
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