Why is Combat Paralysis a physical (HT check) Disadvantage?

[Captain Joy]

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.)

[vierasmarius]

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.

[WingedKagouti]

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

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.

It does have a "Max 13 effective HT" clause, which could be argued to be close enough for the standard 12 or less for Self-Control Rolls (at x1).

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.

[Anthony]

It's probably historically so it won't be free points for high IQ characters. I'd change it to a SCR.

[Bruno]

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.

[Flyndaran]

Health rarely varies much among most animals. IQ obviously varies from near 0 to 15+. That makes it serious munchkin bait.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Bruno

My vague guess is that in 3e it was aimed at animals with a "freeze" reflex

Most such animals have IQ 4 or lower, and simply not giving them combat reflexes accomplishes freezing very effectively. I think it was aimed at PCs with high IQ and low HT.

Originally Posted by Bruno

And then it just sort of got copy-pasted into 4e.

This, however, is very likely.