Peter Knutsen <peter@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> writes:
> Are players happy with putting Limitations on their abilities, in
> systems such as GURPS and Hero System? One might naively assume that
> since players do in fact put Limitations on their abilities, they
> must be happy with it, but there are several alternative
> explanations: [...]
>
> We can't rule out, of course, that (A) players apply Limitations to
> their character's abilities because those Limitations fit the
> character concept and anyway the players feel that the cost difference
> between the abilities with and without Limitations are such that they
> (the players) are getting a fair deal.
The GURPS and HERO systems (and other similar "anything is possible
for the right price" systems) allow the description of character
abilities by point-costed rules mechanics. Just about any ability,
ranging vastly in power levels and game effects, can be described
using those mechanics.
Most of that enormously broad spectrum will be inappropriate for any
particular setting; the GM must pick and choose the level of power
acceptable for character abilities, in general and/or in specific
cases brought up by the players.
I think one thing missing from your set of options is: an ability
chosen for a player character has particular limitations applied
because that's what the GM *allows* for the setting.
Just because the rules mechanics allow me to build an "earthquake"
ability as anything from world-cracking earth ruptures all the way
down to miniscule tremors, and specifies a point cost depending on the
enhancements, limitations, and power level, doesn't mean the GM must
accept all of that range for the power in the setting we play in. The
GM can, and should, apply discretion as to what level of power, and
what limitations, are appropriate for that ability in the particular
setting.
In my experience, most players in most groups would appreciate the GM
applying this discretion, assuming it's done fairly. The GM is, after
all, the one that presumably knows most about the setting and what
challenges will be presented; focusing the set of available abilities,
enhancements, and limitations allows the players to describe what they
want their characters to do *and* have the GM give feedback on what
will be too little or too much for the setting.
--
\ "I like my dental hygenist, I think she's very pretty; so when |
`\ I go to have my teeth cleaned, while I'm in the waiting room I |
_o__) eat an entire box of cookies." -- Steven Wright |
Ben Finney
|
