Should newbie Contact skill be set higher?

[Linedel]

Armageddon has many other flaws that break "realism" in worse ways than this.  Realism arguments here are irrelevant.

Starting with low contact is a good thing.  It allows you to roleplay that you suck at psionics for a while.  How is that bad?

Oh no, you can't psi the Tzai'Byn Sergeant in your city, whom you've never met, in the first 5 minutes of character creation?

[Bestatte]

You also can't psi the templar who just hired you, who you are sitting next to at his table, to warn him that the guy at the bar is the one who you overheard wanted to kill the templar's pet soldier this morning.

I can think of many reasons why a *slight* boost to starting psi would be a good thing, and no reasons why it would be a bad thing.

[mansa]

You also can't psi the templar who just hired you, who you are sitting next to at his table, to warn him that the guy at the bar is the one who you overheard wanted to kill the templar's pet soldier this morning.

I have a character that has less than one day playing time, that did something like that, very recently.

[jmordetsky]

I'm either for making it much easier, or much much harder.

I don't like the way. I've never been a fan. I think it's around for the sake of playability. That said, much needed playability.

So...I say either let it be wielded more freely by all without fear of falling onto the floor and looking like a 2 hour old.

Or

Turn it into something that can only be honed through years of hard work and skill. IE, give it value as a skill.

*shrug*

[Trenidor]

...Turn it into something that can only be honed through years of hard work and skill. IE, give it value as a skill.

*shrug*

It already is a skill I believe...it's just so easy right now that some kiddies think they can leave it on forever without passing out...which isn't the case.

[flurry]

I think it's fine as it is.

[Linedel]

You also can't psi the templar who just hired you, who you are sitting next to at his table, to warn him that the guy at the bar is the one who you overheard wanted to kill the templar's pet soldier this morning.

So, roleplay that you suck at psionics, and have something important to tell him in the back room...  Seriously, not complicated.

I can think of many reasons why a *slight* boost to starting psi would be a good thing, and no reasons why it would be a bad thing.

Sure, raising it so people that don't take a failure as failure only need to contact 4 times instead of 10 might seem insignificant.. but eh...   nevermind.

Slippery slope.  Why can't my PCs start as Tektolnes?


Edit addition:

Whee, no new posts.. so I can just edit in the "IC justification" I thought of last night...

Being good at psionics is like being good at cursive.  It's a whole heck of a lot easier to just say something than practicing, and in most situations, it doesn't matter what you do.  Unlike cursive, which just takes effort, psionics can actually hurt your head if you suck at it.  It takes a ton of mental exertion, and makes you tired.

There's a good reason not every 20 year old is a master.  Ever see a doctor's handwriting?

Yes, the game documentation says everyone has an affinity for psionics, but it doesn't say everyone cared enough as a youth to develop that affinity into something practical.

[Cale_Knight]

Yes, the game documentation says everyone has an affinity for psionics, but it doesn't say everyone cared enough as a youth to develop that affinity into something practical.

It also doesn't in any way imply that every single person in the Known World waits until they're at least 20 years old to develop it. Or are PCs just lazier than the rest of the world?

[Maybe42or54]

It implies that not many (NPC, VNPC, PC are the exception) care enough to develop it when they always live in the same spot most of their lives with everyone they are ever going to need to contact within earshot of them.

And besides, Pc's start devolpping their Psi when they finally have to contact people new to them, I'd say.

This explains for most of the population of PCs, except for merchant house and nobles and junk.

[JollyGreenGiant]

I'd like to change my vote.

Seems like every new PC I cook up, I pass out at least once early on from use of the Way.  I can't avoid it, even though I try.

Every time, however, has led to interesting and amusing RP as a result.  So... I say keep things the way they are.  I'm sure I'll pass out with my next character too.

[elvenchipmunk]

It's fine the way it is. I've personally only passed out about once I believe from use of the way, and I think that was when I types contact <person> twice by accident, and it took off more stun than I had intended... :oops:

And if you're really against keeping it the way it is, just think...you're giving the thieves something to live for