07-18-2008, 09:36 AM | #1 |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
Greetings, all!
I'm trying to figure out, what's the reason for Chameleon [5] and Silence's [5] cost if a Racial Skill Bonus is merely [2]? Sure those Exotic traits give double the bonus while standing still (or if enhanced with Dynamic, for extra 2 points per level, for a total of 4/+1 bonus), but they don't apply to other senses unless they're Extended. The bang for the buck is just too different compared to the RSB, or even just buying Stealth. Thanks in advance to all who answer! |
07-18-2008, 10:21 AM | #2 | |
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Re: Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
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For Chameleon, the normal use of Stealth against vision is the motionless case - there often simply isn't anywhere to hide along a line of motion - and that gets a +2. Also, it is probably more talent-like than it looks from too literal a reading, substitute stealth for Stealth and "where being seen is a factor" clearly also applies to Camouflage all the time, and there are other skills it might occasionally modify - Tactics or Survival seem the most likely. Traditionally penalties like this also apply when you aren't making a Stealth roll but the other guy is making a Vision roll - say when you are far away, or the seeing conditions are bad, though I admit the advantage doesn't actually say that either. It's possible there is also a combat factor that's been considered, though 4e isn't all that clear on modifiers for not being able to see the target well. Silence on the other hand is a lot harder to justify.
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07-18-2008, 10:25 AM | #3 | |
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Montreal, Canada
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Re: Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
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07-18-2008, 10:35 AM | #4 | |
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Re: Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
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07-18-2008, 11:08 AM | #5 | |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
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07-18-2008, 11:45 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
Let's treat +1 Stealth as a power (4 points/level).
Only while standing still sounds like -40%, since it's more restrictive than only while flying (since many characters can fly and hover). Since it is half strength rather than lost, that's -20%. Either version with reverse Sense-Based is -20%. Stealth +2 (Half power when moving, -20%; Sense-based, -20%) [5] So Silence and Camouflage appear to be priced correctly. The only problem is when you take both; since each has a -20% limitation, they are overpriced together. The answer is obvious, however; if you are hard to see AND hear, why don't you just take more Stealth? Racial skill bonuses are a bit slippery, but I'll argue that they are GURPSian. Think of it as Usual Background (Stealthy catperson). If the bonus is larger than +2, don't do this. |
07-18-2008, 12:00 PM | #7 |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
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Re: Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
Chameleon allows you to hide in plain sight, which Stealth doesn't.
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07-18-2008, 12:47 PM | #8 | |
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
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07-18-2008, 12:52 PM | #9 | ||
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
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Re: Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
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Aren't bonuses to stealth treated as part of a racial skill package? As far as I know, that functions like Talent, which seems to on average give an average of 1 to 2 point cost to each +1 to individual skill.
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07-18-2008, 01:06 PM | #10 | ||
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: Chameleon and Silence vs. Racial Skill Bonus (Stealth)
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