Attentea wrote:
Elorii in the new game mechanics are very much flavour now... or at least that what if feels like to me. You don't pick elorii because it gives you the best build or that super awesome path that you want, you pick elorii because you want to be an elorii for story sake.
That's what disappoints me the most.
When I read this, I felt the need to make a response. The problem is, I'm not sure exactly how to say this. Please don't take this as any sort of attack. It's not meant that way. ... Isn't that
the reason for anyone to pick any race/class/archetype/etc.? PCI makes no bones about it, they want the story to come first. And I think that most of us (probably yourself included) appreciate that. Sure, we all want to make choices for our characters that make them effective characters. It's never fun to sit at a table and feel as though your presence has no impact. But ultimately, it's how we place our characters within the story that's essential and should be the primary decision-making factor. There are really almost no wrong decisions. (Sure, you could do something like make an Arcane archetype and then put only a handful of skill points in your Arcanum skill. That would be silly. But aside from purposely making choices that don't fit, there are only so many ways to build.) Choosing a build because it's significantly more powerful than the norm is difficult to do. Read these forums and you see all sorts of debates about damage-per-tick and AR and such. The fact that those debates occur so frequently means that there are differing opinions about what is "more powerful." I think PCI has done a very good job of making balanced options. When you play a character, it should be because you're making a character that you will enjoy role-playing. If someone's enjoyment stems from outshining the other players, well... to each his own. But in a cooperative, storytelling game like this, I think it serves the story better to have everyone on the same playing-field. Yes, you lose a little something. (Tolkien just wouldn't be the same if his elves were just pointy-eared humans.) But you gain something as well. (Who would enjoy fighting a combat in an RPG where one race was so much more powerful than the others? Yeah, it makes for a fun 3rd-person experience. But when I can only kill 1-2 bad guys a combat and I'm surrounded by elves and rangers (AD&D anyone?) who consistently take down 4-5 times that number, I might get a bit put-off. Now, granted if I, then out shined them all in other ways, maybe it would all balance out. Maybe not.)
Anyway, I've rambled on long enough. Try this... Think of a
personality that sounds exciting to you. Forget abilities. Just think personality. Then add a temperament. What kind of quirks would he/she have? Why? What scares her? Why? What would she kill for? Why? What is the most appropriate social standing for this person? After all that, then add the most appropriate race. Hopefully, this character sounds fun to you to play, regardless of ability. Good luck!
Scott