Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - Combining Extended Lifespan with Self-Destruct [Basic]

Overheat · 02-23-2021, 02:54 PM

B120 says that you cannot take disadvantages that your advantages would mitigate or negate. This combo definitely looks like heavily mitigating of the Self-Destruct disadvantage- although if one accepted this line of reasoning, then they would have to say that either of Longevity/Extended Lifespan wouldn't be allowed with Self-Destruct, which doesn't make much sense, since Self-Destruct only starts at 50 because the baseline is human norms. So RAW, I think you are in the clear if the rules allow Self-Destruct and Extended Lifespan on the same character at all.

This combo of traits is definitely in the realm of munchkinism, although for a trait that usually doesn't matter in a campaign. The issue is that Self-Destruct basically sell back your old age years for a flat price, but for that price you can get many years of youth beforehand.

All this said- this package makes for an interesting flavor trait for a GM-designed race. If a player wanted to buy this set for their character, I would probably charge a perk just to acknowledge that this is certainly better than the human norms.

This combo is also worse vs percentage-of-lifespan aging attacks. If they are absurdly common in your campaign, then this might be worse than the standard human aging.

02-23-2021, 02:54 PM	#7
Overheat Join Date: Nov 2014	Re: Combining Extended Lifespan with Self-Destruct [Basic] B120 says that you cannot take disadvantages that your advantages would mitigate or negate. This combo definitely looks like heavily mitigating of the Self-Destruct disadvantage- although if one accepted this line of reasoning, then they would have to say that either of Longevity/Extended Lifespan wouldn't be allowed with Self-Destruct, which doesn't make much sense, since Self-Destruct only starts at 50 because the baseline is human norms. So RAW, I think you are in the clear if the rules allow Self-Destruct and Extended Lifespan on the same character at all. This combo of traits is definitely in the realm of munchkinism, although for a trait that usually doesn't matter in a campaign. The issue is that Self-Destruct basically sell back your old age years for a flat price, but for that price you can get many years of youth beforehand. All this said- this package makes for an interesting flavor trait for a GM-designed race. If a player wanted to buy this set for their character, I would probably charge a perk just to acknowledge that this is certainly better than the human norms. This combo is also worse vs percentage-of-lifespan aging attacks. If they are absurdly common in your campaign, then this might be worse than the standard human aging.