skill rolls lower than defaults (possible?)

[RussellChamp]

Originally Posted by malloyd

While you will often hear players complain about how this or that rule prevents them from having exactly the character they envision, when you point out they may lower their character abilities as much as they like but get no points for it, how critical those disadvantages or lower scores are to their characterization will be mysteriously reduced 9 times in 10....

Haha! I'm sure that's quite true! However, (as a player) I've found that when I play through my character's weaknesses and limitations (read disadvantages) and remain in character in order to remain true to my character's designs I occasionally get rewarded with the treat of an extra CP. Perhaps this is one way to accomplish that. Hehehhe...

[Anders]

Originally Posted by Bruno

By telling them to stop being a jerk? The same way you stop them from taking more disadvantages than allowed, or spending more points than you gave them.

I find that a short, sharp rap across the fingers is usually enough. If that fails, I offer them surströmming.

[OldSam]

I'd use an anti-talent, though as a GM you have to be careful to avoid abuse...
IMHO only anti-talents which will affect the character in the current campaign should be allowed. Also I wouldn't recommend allowing more than 1 per player at most in normal cases.

See this:
http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread...9941&page=2#15

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by OldSam

I'd use an anti-talent, though as a GM you have to be careful to avoid abuse...

Honestly, I'd do that as my second choice. First I'd try to convince the player to lower his IQ and take a Talent in whatever he actually wants to be smart at.

[RussellChamp]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

Honestly, I'd do that as my second choice. First I'd try to convince the player to lower his IQ and take a Talent in whatever he actually wants to be smart at.

The OP (me) presupposed an insanely intelligent (or I suppose super dexterous) character that is just really, really bad at a "few" things.

[jacobmuller]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Or Anti-Talents - the less official, yet Kromm-supported option.

I think this is what Kromm gave us:
(I can't find the thread:( and if this post is a no-no Please delete it!)

Anti-Talent or Ineptitude - See Kromm's post further down-thread for a link to the original!

[PK]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Or Anti-Talents - the less official, yet Kromm-supported option.

How is something in the Basic Set (Racial Skill Bonuses and Penalties, p. B452) not official? Granted, it's a stretch to allow someone to take it as a personal disadvantage, but it's definitely an official option.

[Xipe_Totec]

Originally Posted by RussellChamp

For example, Randall the Munroe has an IQ of 20. However, he sucks as an Artist (IQ-6) and the best he can do is a stick man. Could he roll below the default of IQ-6 (which would still give him a healthy 14)?

There, fixed it for ya. ;)

Joking aside - people who are good at anything are just that - good at anything. I've got a friend that fits this to a tee. Extremely intelligent, superbly read, a real treat in discussions. Wanted to learn to draw. Picked up some "self-learn" book, and his drawings are jaw-dropping, with far less then 800 hours of practice suggested in Basic (to get 1 point, self-taught).

So, yeah, I'd say that the character you supplied is quite possible.

Also, don't forget you may assign penalties based on what exactly they're trying to draw. Stickmen at 0, full profile in oil at (I guess) -6, etc.

[RussellChamp]

Originally Posted by jacobmuller

I think this is what Kromm gave us:

OooOooh! I like this! Seems like a nice addition in intentionally gimping your character. :3

[Kromm]

My original, ancient post on this is here.

And as an aside, Xipe_Totec, please don't change anything in a quote box. It's called misquoting, and it's against forum rules.