Gameplay balance issues?; Talents in place of skills

[AlexanderHowl]

5 CP/level talents are balanced, 10 CP/level talents are only balanced in a few cases (such as Clown), and 15 CP/level talents are usually unbalanced except in a few isolated cases (the Cosmic Talent). In general, I ban any talent worth more than 10 CP/level with a few exceptions because I get tired of people whining.

For example, a modern physician could have IQ 12, Healer 4, Diagnosis-16, Pharmacy (Synthetic)-16, Physician-16, and Surgery-16 for 100 CP. Or they could have IQ 12, Reputation+4 (Former and potential patients), Diagnosis-16, Pharmacy (Synthethic)-16, Physician-20, and Surgery-16 for 94 CP. While the former is technically more talented than the latter, the latter is a much more effective doctor, and it is slightly cheaper. The latter also gains First Aid-20, Poisons-17, and Veterinary-15 at default.

[kirbwarrior]

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

5 CP/level talents are balanced, 10 CP/level talents are only balanced in a few cases (such as Clown), and 15 CP/level talents are usually unbalanced except in a few isolated cases (the Cosmic Talent). In general, I ban any talent worth more than 10 CP/level with a few exceptions because I get tired of people whining.

For example, a modern physician could have IQ 12, Healer 4, Diagnosis-16, Pharmacy (Synthetic)-16, Physician-16, and Surgery-16 for 100 CP. Or they could have IQ 12, Reputation+4 (Former and potential patients), Diagnosis-16, Pharmacy (Synthethic)-16, Physician-20, and Surgery-16 for 94 CP. While the former is technically more talented than the latter, the latter is a much more effective doctor, and it is slightly cheaper. The latter also gains First Aid-20, Poisons-17, and Veterinary-15 at default.

That lines up well, I've definitely been thinking talents don't gain skills fast enough. 10pt talents should cover as much as a wildcard skill, 15 should basically be psuedo attributes for them to be worth it. If that was true, then talents would still be worth getting even with making skills past the first cheaper in my model.