From:	Terry Amburgey <xanth@****.UKY.EDU>
Subject:	buff pc's
Date:	Tue, 27 Jun 1995 11:49:28 -0400

>
>I say "OK, guys. You wanna improve those attributes? Fine, but you've gotta
>gimmie a reason how you could suddenly become
>tougher/stronger/faster/smarter overnight." (this is followed by a lot of
>things like "I go to the gym every day!" "I buy some smart-Ds!"
and "Doesn't
>walking on hot needles make you tougher? My guru said so!" aso. Those
>arguments _never_ work.)
>
>Or I just say, (the dreaded words) "No, you can't"
>
>Or I say "Hey, you guys really did well this time, you can use your karma to
>improve ONE of your attibutes one step if you like."
>
>The only rule in our group is: ASK YOUR GM IF YOU CAN!
>
>I usually dislike anyone improving their attributes over racial max. It's
>also rather expensive. (14 points for a 7 anyone?)
>
>That's how I stop 'Mikes'.
>
>MxM
>
>PS..Mike was a human with all attributes 6es+cyber mods. This was _before_ I
>started enforcing the above rule...DS

What's wrong with 'Mikes'? I admit I'm curious mostly because, after 1 1/2
years of steady gaming, I just raised my fifth attribute to a 6 for my
bioware samurai. It's clearly legit within the rules, what's the problem
with maxing out attributes [to racial maximums]?
Is it a concern for game balance? I wouldn't think it would upset game
balance since karma spent on attributes doesn't go for skills. Does the
houserule you use for attributes also apply to raising skills or learning
new skills/spells? - no raising the hk 227 specialization from 7 to 8 or
learning that new levitate spell unless the pc did really well in a run, no
general skills above 9 [1.5 times the max starting level for general skills]?
Do you subscribe to the The-purpose-of-a-gm-is-to-make-players-miserable
philosophy that seems to crop up on the list periodically?
Do you feel that only munchkins want maxed out characters?
I'm curious. Terry

Terry L. Amburgey Office: 606-257-7726
Associate Professor Home: 606-224-0636
College of Business & Economics Fax: 606-257-3577
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506