Choices matter but how flexible are the players.

Nanulak

Let’s look at what MJ has already said and what the possibilities could be.

“The races/genders will be very different from each other in terms of their starting stats/abilities but also in numerous other ways. For example, certain races/genders are better attuned to the sources of magical power in the world. I know some people will complain that this is not fair but that is how it is going to be in CU, where these choices matter.”

Combine this and what the Veil could possibly do and we can have a totally new game with new paradigms.

Let’s say players are presented with these variables:

• Females are stronger than males
• Males are smarter and wiser than females
• Dexterity is a function of height (longer tendons allows for more flexibility)
• Constitution is a function of hair color (lighter is better)
• Strength is a function of height (shorter tendons contract faster and with more force)
• Intelligence is a function of weight (bigger is better)
• Wisdom is a function of foot size

Given these parameters will players create their normal characters stereotypes or will they go for stat maxing.

I can see it now, the Tanks will be blond short females, the Casters all blond fat males, the Stealthers all blond 7ft beanpoles, and the Healers all blond males with snow shoes for feet.

What do you think the people will do?

Zinzan

Originally posted by grogstorm

Let’s look at what MJ has already said and what the possibilities could be.

“The races/genders will be very different from each other in terms of their starting stats/abilities but also in numerous other ways. For example, certain races/genders are better attuned to the sources of magical power in the world. I know some people will complain that this is not fair but that is how it is going to be in CU, where these choices matter.”

Combine this and what the Veil could possibly do and we can have a totally new game with new paradigms.

Let’s say players are presented with these variables:

• Females are stronger than males
• Males are smarter and wiser than females
• Dexterity is a function of height (longer tendons allows for more flexibility)
• Constitution is a function of hair color (lighter is better)
• Strength is a function of height (shorter tendons contract faster and with more force)
• Intelligence is a function of weight (bigger is better)
• Wisdom is a function of foot size

Given these parameters will players create their normal characters stereotypes or will they go for stat maxing.

I can see it now, the Tanks will be blond short females, the Casters all blond fat males, the Stealthers all blond 7ft beanpoles, and the Healers all blond males with snow shoes for feet.

What do you think the people will do?

I want the three minutes of my life back I wasted reading this

meddyck

It's a PvP game. Those kinds of games bring out the min-maxer in players, so I expect you are correct that large numbers of players would make the choices you suggest. It depends on just how much stronger a female is than a male or how much more intelligent a fattie is than a beanpole. If it's like the difference between a troll's strength and a kobold's in DAOC, then definitely you will see mostly the maximized combos. If it's more like the difference between a norse and a dwarf, then you'd see more variety.

I expect the starting stat differences will not be all that great by the time we get to release. Even if they are, I'm not going to let it unduly influence my choices over my own asthetic preferences.