[Basic] Advantage of the Week (#46): Eidetic Memory, Photographic Memory

[Otaku]

Previous Week: Duplication
Next Week: Pending

If you need help finding something we've already discussed, johndallman is maintaining an index of which traits we've discussed.

Basic

This week, we’ll be discussing Eidetic Memory and Photographic Memory (both p. B51), the first and second levels of the mundane, Mental trait under the joint heading of Eidetic Memory (yes, the same as the name used for the first level). The cost is 5 CP and 10 CP, respectively and both traits reflect having a better memory (and recollection) than your IQ might otherwise suggest. With the 5 CP version, you only have to roll to remember specifics, and it is a straight IQ roll instead of requiring success by a particular margin. The 10 CP version allows you to automatically recall even precise details without rolling.

Neither level affects comprehension, only recall, so they don’t benefit actual Skill rolls but do provide a +5 or +10 bonus to the IQ roll you make for Quick Learning, as well as for retaining Skills learned through intensive training. Speaking of learning, the first level of this trait can be learned.

Other Supplements

Powers only mentions Eidetic Memory in passing, and Photographic Memory only shows up as one of the Advantages used in building a particular ability. Eidetic Memory is referenced a few times in Power-Ups 3: Talents, where certain Talents (and even an Anti-Talent) function in a related manner to or may have Eidetic Memory as a prerequisite. I also found it mentioned in GURPS Social Engineering. Of course, it also shows up in GURPS Update and serves as a reason why past editions get their own section.

Past Editions

As always, I don’t currently have access to anything predating GURPS 3rd Edition, but we’ve got some interesting changes to discuss even from just a single edition ago. From page 20 of GURPS Basic Set: Third Edition, Revised, Eidetic Memory is a leveled trait with only two levels, so that is the same, and provides the same improved recall as the Fourth Edition trait. The first obvious difference is the cost, which is 30 CP per level!

Why so expensive? Instead of providing a bonus to an IQ roll for learning Skills, each level doubles the effective amount of points you invest in a Mental Skill except for Spells. Third Edition divided Skills as Mental (IQ-based) or Physical (DX-Based), with exceptions marked in their write-up, and many Skills that are Per or Will based in Fourth Edition were treated as IQ based. This is where some other Third Edition Vs. Fourth Edition differences become relevant. Most Third Edition characters were only allowed up to [2 x Character Age] points invested into Skills at character creation (adjusted accordingly for non-human races). Another peculiarity of Fourth Edition is that you were allowed to invest ½ CP in Skills (except Spells). Put the two together, and where you would have needed 1 CP or 2 CP for an effective level of competency, you could score it for ½ CP and avoid playing an older Character.

Psionics were handled differently in 3e as well; instead of applying the appropriate Modifier to a trait, you bought a “Power Level” in one of several Psionic Powers, and various applications of said Power were handled as Skills… and here, the multiplier was still in effect. While I already mentioned Spells did not enjoy the same multiplier and requires at least 1 CP be invested in them in order to be cast or count towards Spell prerequisites, there is one final bonus from Eidetic Memory that applies only to Spells: a +1 per level Skill bonus! This allowed Eidetic Memory to function almost like additional levels of Magery, and Third Edition rules imposed a three or four level Magery cap like the recommended one in Fourth Edition.

With all of these benefits, Eidetic Memory could do amazing things for IQ and Skill focused characters, be they knowledgeable but mundane intellectuals, cinematic geniuses, inventors, mad scientists, psychics, supers, wizards… even demi-gods or gods or other “higher beings” if such things were present in the setting. The staggering cost was often still worth the CP, though the typical starting CP of the time - 100 - made it difficult to run many of them. When you were playing characters with more available, especially epic level heroes or typical supers, the only reason to not take this trait was because of sticking to a character concept. Either because you had integrity or because it was a really, really expensive concept so we were back to being unable to spare the CP.

A bit of an oddity, two Third Edition Skills, Bardic Lore and Skaldic Lore, actually carry the recommendation of using the Literature Skill and Eidetic Memory (the first level) when converting a character from Third Edition to Fourth Edition, as these Skills were chiefly concerned with memorization and recitation; you actually had to roll against other skills to perform the actual song or tell the actual story in an entertaining manner. If you wish to read these Third Edition Skills, you can find them on page 146 and 147 of Compendium I.

Useful Links

As is too often the case, I have run out of time to complete this section on my own, which means I risk this being delayed another few days or post now and finish it later. Feel free to make suggestions, both before and after!

Discussion Starters

This is (usually) a generic list of questions for those who feel they need them. Already know what you want to say? Go ahead and skip these. ;)

• Have you ever taken any of these traits for one of your PCs or NPCs? How did it work out?
• Is there anything these traits do really well?
• Is there anything you think these traits should do different, whether it means adding, subtracting, or just changing aspects of it?
• Any alternate methods of creating these effects, either official or homebrew?
• Any thoughts on how the 4e version of these traits compares to them in earlier editions?
• Feedback about BAotW threads in general, such as how I structure them?

[simply Nathan]

Originally Posted by Otaku

[*]Have you ever taken any of these traits for one of your PCs or NPCs? How did it work out?

I put it on the only GURPS PC I ever played - a child wizard prodigy type - partly because it really fit the concept. Another player took Photographic Memory. The GM was flabbergasted by neither of us players being able to remember the name of the lighthouse keeper who introduced himself two sessions previous.

[Flyndaran]

I like Eidetic Memory for a character that has a very minor computer implant for taking notes.

[scc]

One thing I have noticed is that I have noticed is that these traits show up on Mage/Wizard templates a lot. My best guess for this is a reference to Catherine Kerr's Devery Cycle, but we never get any rules for such a system (Fantasy touches on it, but never gives any rules)

[vicky_molokh]

It's a convenience trait - no more need for a notepad/camera/audiorecorder/flashdrive/etc.
Well, more the former than the latter for the first level. I take it for my PCs occasionally, both in GURPS and outside it.

Also, for skill bonuses, you can look at Powers Enhancing Skills or whatever, where having a very useful trait can provide a +2 or +4 to some tasks.

[evileeyore]

I've takent he traits on bunches of characters. More so in 4e than 3 (as it's cheaper, so easier to fit either one into the points).

They generally worked as expected. Once in three 3e I decided it was too potent as we used Time Use records for a year's worth of downtime... and back then according the GM Photographic Memory allowed double dipping.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by scc

One thing I have noticed is that I have noticed is that these traits show up on Mage/Wizard templates a lot. My best guess for this is a reference to Catherine Kerr's Devery Cycle, but we never get any rules for such a system (Fantasy touches on it, but never gives any rules)

In magic systems without default rolls it lets you learn spells that you have read once, but don't have a teacher or reference for with you (like from scrolls that you already used in the spell magic system).

In systems that have defaults the +5 or +10 to learn a skill from default helps a lot.

In systems with a ton of esoterica being able to recall ritual components, true names, or arcane phrases from some once-read grimoire is pretty useful.

So really it seems to be generally useful for wizard-types, regardless.

[WaterAndWindSpirit]

Well, in real life I had an argument with my (at the time) friend that ended up with him contradicting several of his earlier statements dating from months before. Some further questioning lead to me completely unraveling his facade of caring for me except as a competent hireling and ego boost. Needless to say, he's no longer my friend.

And that's just one of many examples in my life about how you have a huge advantage over liars if you have a better memory than them. And I remembered the first Russian scenario from Empire Earth a few weeks ago where you had to lead Grigor to a potato truck to then head to Volgograd, and had tried to find from which game it was ever since. The game came out in 2001, I tried it at someone's home around that time, and I was 8 at that time. I clearly remembered allying with the garrisons by sending diplomats and tribute, and failing to pierce the laser tower defenses. So I'd be tempted to allow a Detect Lies roll at no penalty against a recurring liar, or maybe with a bonus for photographic memory.

Though I will have to add that I consider Detect Lies to be a cinematic skill at best, and supernatural one at worst and do tend to charge Unusual Backgrounds if someone wants to take it.

[dripton]

I saw Photographic Memory put to good use by a DF Wizard. Mostly as a replacement for careful mapping and note-taking. "Which way was it to the exit? What was that sage's name?" And also for spell acquisition, though that's only needed in the kind of game where the GM requires rolls to learn things super-quickly.