Provide or Hide Character Details

Author	Topic: Provide or Hide Character Details
Zebediah Apprentice Member # 12474	written Saturday, December 15 2007 02:37 Profile #0 I am playing A1 (and really enjoying it). I just fired up A4 for the first time (only the character generation section) to take a look at it. The graphics are definitely improved. However, in another respect I think the program took a major move in the wrong direction (potentially eliminating one of the big attractions of Avernum for me). In A1, the character generation and leveling interfaces specify the effects of attributes on skills ( e.g., a skill is specified as having a base value of (STR+DEX)/3 ). In A4, this information is not provided. For me, making use of this information during character creation and leveling is part of the fun. As for the "special traits", I'd prefer more specifics there also. I don't take any special traits because I have no details on which to make a decision. A trait improves accuracy with a bow? OK, BY HOW MUCH? Give me an equation, an algebraic expression, a ratio, something. From my perspective, there is no basis at all for deciding whether to take a particular trait Well, I suppose one could assume that the game designers have done a good job with game balance in creating the character traits - and choose traits based on liking the idea or feel of a trait name. However, for me part of the fun is in deciding whether a tradeoff (e.g., experience adjustment vs other effects) is worthwhile. In some cases, there seems little basis for doing so without trait detials. For traits for which the only effect is to add specific abilities to a character, one can check the abilities menu for the character and make a decision from that (if one is willing to assume that the added abilities are the only effects of the trait). I realize that this is a personal preference issue. People probably have one of three positions on the matter: 1) Please show me the "under the hood" details ( formula or whatever ). I want to know. I enjoy understanding them, and/or they are helpful in building my character. 2) Please hide the details. I specifically want them to remain unknown. It's part of the mystery that appeals to me. 3) I don't care about the details. Provide them for those who like them, but I doubt I'll pay attention to them. Poll Information This poll contains 1 question(s). 1 user(s) have voted. You may not view the results of this poll without voting. function launch_voter () { launch_window("http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=poll;d=vote;pollid=GXmTRtnmldbS"); return true; } // end launch_voter function launch_viewer () { launch_window("http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=poll;d=view;pollid=GXmTRtnmldbS"); return true; } // end launch_viewer function launch_window (url) { preview = window.open( url, "preview", "width=550,height=300,toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status,menubar=no,scrollbars,resizable,copyhistory=no" ); window.preview.focus(); return preview; } // end launch_window     Posts: 15 | Registered: Tuesday, December 11 2007 08:00
Randomizer Law Bringer Member # 6785	written Saturday, December 15 2007 09:44 Profile #1 Some of the information you want is available in topics on special abilities. Each game in the series has slightly different results for using special abilities. In the early games you get abilities that you can use once per day while in later games you get special skills before you could train for them when you raise certain skills. Posts: 4643 | Registered: Friday, February 10 2006 08:00
Excalibur Agent Member # 8030	written Saturday, December 15 2007 18:15 Profile Homepage #2 quote: A trait improves accuracy with a bow? OK, BY HOW MUCH? In the trilogy, bows skills increase accuracy by five percent. Sharpshooter, on the other hand, increases damage and does little to accuracy. I'm actually not sure about Sharpshooter increasing accuracy or not, but I think it doesn't. -------------------- A Bile Crux Posts: 1384 | Registered: Tuesday, February 6 2007 08:00
Or else o'erleap. Law Bringer Member # 335	written Saturday, December 15 2007 19:08 Profile Homepage #3 This has been cross-posted to General. That version is more successful. —Alorael, who will cause this one to cease. Bye! Posts: 14579 | Registered: Saturday, December 1 2001 08:00