What would you change in your Gurps character

[joppeknol]

Hi,

I had an idea that I would like to share with the group.

Recently, I was thinking what I would like to change about my self. More handsome, less overweight, etc..

Then I thought: ok, suppose I want a different character, but in order to propose that... what traits do i want to trade in in order to get the points for the things that I want? What do i want to change in my Gurps-character sheet, while keeping the same point-total?

I couldn't really think of something. I would like to be a little bit taller, but since that doesn't change strength or reaction modifier, I doubt if my life would be much improved by that. Age would be something, but that sounds a bit unfair. I became old by living a life.

So it turns out that I'm actually very content with who I am. It turns out that I am a well-optimized well-rounded, very low-budget Gurps character. I couldn't ask for more given the point-total.

So I was thinking: Am I unique in that regard? Did I miss some loopholes that you alway should ask for given a chance to make changes to you character?

Now I agree that it is a silly thought-experiment, but I thought it would be fun to ask other people's thoughts on a forum dedicated to thought experiments. At least, it has made me draw a nice conclusion. I should be content. Asking for more points would be selfish and a sign that you want the world to be about you :-).

[Stormcrow]

I would like another level of Wealth. I'll happily trade in a point of IQ for that.

[Alden Loveshade]

Assuming I can't increase my point total....

Lower my physiological age by decades.

Shift some points from ST to IQ (without increasing Will) or maybe Talents. I can always work to get my ST back up.

Add Pacifism: Self-Defense Only (I can't think of a single time in my life that would have gotten in my way). Use the gained points to improve my Vision. And, if I could get away with it, put my personal Tech Level above that of the rest of the world. I might give up some points in games to increase it more--I can always relearn how to play games. (Won't give up GURPS, though). Then I can help the rest of the world.

[joppeknol]

Originally Posted by Alden Loveshade

I can always work to get my ST back up.

I don't think that would be allowed. Then you're effectively getting free points. You won't be able to train your strength back. Otherwise it is valid,

Add Pacifism: Self-Defense Only (I can't think of a single time in my life that would have gotten in my way).

That's a good one, although it might be the case that I already have it. I might go for combat paralysis, or post-combat shakes, since the chance that I will ever encounter violence is negligible. Still, I would be a bit worried, that the Game Master will include it in play for that moment on.

[sparcipx]

Hmm, looking back on my life and certain situations I'd gotten myself into... I think I'd drop two points from Bicycling and add them to Brawling.

[Alden Loveshade]

Originally Posted by joppeknol

I don't think that would be allowed. Then you're effectively getting free points. You won't be able to train your strength back. Otherwise it is valid,

I figured I'd buy it back up later with earned character points. But if not, I still might trade some ST for IQ or maybe Talents. (My ST isn't real high, but is above average and is higher than it was a few years ago.)

Originally Posted by joppeknol

That's a good one, although it might be the case that I already have it. I might go for combat paralysis, or post-combat shakes, since the chance that I will ever encounter violence is negligible. Still, I would be a bit worried, that the Game Master will include it in play for that moment on.

I don't have Pacifism: Self-Defense Only. I'm a Pacifist by choice, not by nature.

And as a journalist who's gotten death threats more than once, I personally would not go for Combat Paralysis. Although it might look like I do. When getting a face-to-face threat, my default is "non-violent resistance." Standing my ground, keeping eye contact with a neutral expression on my face, and saying nothing. That can get a potential opponent out of the "lizard brain" fight-or-flight level, and get them thinking as a human being.

[Thökk]

I got a gritty low powered social survival campaign build with a lot of "free" disadvantages and it's pretty tight already. I managed to buy off a few big disadvantages recently, but I am far from done.

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by joppeknol

Hi,

I had an idea that I would like to share with the group.

Recently, I was thinking what I would like to change about my self. More handsome, less overweight, etc..

Then I thought: ok, suppose I want a different character, but in order to propose that... what traits do i want to trade in in order to get the points for the things that I want? What do i want to change in my Gurps-character sheet, while keeping the same point-total?

I couldn't really think of something. I would like to be a little bit taller, but since that doesn't change strength or reaction modifier, I doubt if my life would be much improved by that. Age would be something, but that sounds a bit unfair. I became old by living a life.

So it turns out that I'm actually very content with who I am. It turns out that I am a well-optimized well-rounded, very low-budget Gurps character. I couldn't ask for more given the point-total.

So I was thinking: Am I unique in that regard? Did I miss some loopholes that you alway should ask for given a chance to make changes to you character?

Now I agree that it is a silly thought-experiment, but I thought it would be fun to ask other people's thoughts on a forum dedicated to thought experiments. At least, it has made me draw a nice conclusion. I should be content. Asking for more points would be selfish and a sign that you want the world to be about you :-).

Can I presume we would be limited to mundane expenditures?

Originally Posted by Icelander

Well, starting money is basically how much you could get for your home and everything you wouldn't have any use for if you needed to run away that same day, to enter a wardrobe to a magical realm, plus the full price you bought anything you do take.

I guess Average Wealth people don't really own their homes, or, at least, don't have significant equity in them. It's the Average character being an 18-year-old ready for military service thing.

Plenty of mundane and actually real people in their forties* do own significant equity in their homes, though, so Independent Income would yield a lot more for them.

*My guess for the median age of forumites.

Starting wealth is the same for everyone in your setting's premise, there would be no variation in the output of the independent income advantage for your wealth level based on how you choose to distribute your starting resources.

[oneofmanynameless]

No, I don't think you're unique. I'm pretty satisfied with myself as a character. Obviously if I was given more points to spend how I want I could add things. Magic powers or a couple more wealth levels. But I'm quite happy with my current character sheet.

[Rupert]

I'd start with a simple change, one that doesn't cost with points in and of itself - rub out the age listed and write in a new age 20-30 years lower. Then look for a way to buy Longevity or Extended Lifespan (probably the former, as seems less likely to draw unwanted attention than looking only 50 when I'm 100 will).