Attribute Bloat 'Re-Deux'

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by Skarg

It seems to me that the words "realistic" and "legend" are near-opposite ends of a spectrum. And, that the answer will be subjective and handled (or not) in different ways by different GMs.

Yes, but to be clear 'realistic' is referring to the player's perspective from the real-world looking in while 'legend' is the final stage of the character's in-game lifecycle.

I am curious how others would answer this question, though.

Originally Posted by Skarg

I can think of at least twenty other inaccurate assumptions that players from other RPGs may tend to have, none of which would I recommend changing TFT to comply with.

True, but I'm only focused on the one for the purpose of this discussion. And I'm also not exactly suggesting that TFT needs to change to accommodate this expectation, but I do find it curious that the revisions to TFT, with regard to this particular aspect, moved so far from its original state which IMO offered a fuller range of player experience (even if, admittedly, the higher levels were problematic).

Originally Posted by Skarg

If a GM wants to have relatively inexperienced/slightly-above-average PCs become legendary best-in-the-world sorts of people during X amount of play, I would suggest they think about why and how they want that to happen, and then make it so. e.g. say they're all blessed by the goddess or savants or ate mutant pizza and then give them 1000 XP per session.

Personally, I'd stick to giving characters XP for things the characters actually eXPerience, having nothing to do with play sessions, real-world time, or zero-to-hero expectations.

Philosophically, I agree with you, but practically I think it is hard sometimes to separate my own goals and expectations as a GM or player from those of my character. The time that I actually get to spend playing is precious to me nowadays because real life just seems to get in the way so often. And when I do get to play, I want to see that my character (or those of my players) is progressing at a reasonable pace allowing all involved to experience the full range of their characters' potential.

I do like your options, though.