Community

Oct 1, 2012 -- 6:43PM, Orkbard wrote:

Personally, Comeliness as a stat is unnecessary.

For the record, I happen to agree. 

Oct 2, 2012 -- 8:07AM, prowlersvn wrote:

If we are wanting to do away with "unnecessary" stats, lets do away with Wisdom while we are at it. Like Comeliness, it is unnecessary. Being wise is the same as being smart, just as being charismatic is the same as being good looking. So now we are down to 4 Primary Stats, that will make the game much simpler I think.

I must respectfully disagree. WIS is often described as "common sense," not "smart." I know plenty of people who are smart and have no common sense at all, and plenty who have the reverse. I think it should remain.

Oct 2, 2012 -- 8:20AM, prowlersvn wrote:

Oct 2, 2012 -- 8:13AM, SteeleButterfly wrote:

Oct 2, 2012 -- 8:07AM, prowlersvn wrote:

If we are wanting to do away with "unnecessary" stats, lets do away with Wisdom while we are at it. Like Comeliness, it is unnecessary. Being wise is the same as being smart, just as being charismatic is the same as being good looking. So now we are down to 4 Primary Stats, that will make the game much simpler I think.

I must respectfully disagree. WIS is often described as "common sense," not "smart." I know plenty of people who are smart and have no common sense at all, and plenty who have the reverse. I think it should remain.

That is my point. (this isnt aimed at you steelebutterfly) There is a very real difference between Int and Wis, just as there is between Cha and Com. The difference being that Com is being suggested as an Optional stat (no one supporting Com has stated it MUST be allowed, everyone has said its good being an option). If you dont like Com, dont use it, but please let those of us who DO have a shot at having it in the rules. Its not like I am talking Vancian magic here, this is an optional stat.

I guess the biggest issue I have with this is that I don't see the point. What would have a comeliness stat change, what would it add to the gameplay? If it is simply a matter of physical beauty, what kind of standard are we going to use? Are dwarves and/or Half-orcs going to be penalized because they do not match the human perception of beauty, even if they match their race's idea of beauty? If this will affect social rolls, will it prevent "ugly" characters from attempting such rolls? How would it affect diplomacy with orcs or demons instead of people?

Adding it seems to raise all these questions and more, while keeping it out doesn't change anything. If you've houseruled it in the past you can again, but I doubt they will include it in the core rules or the playtest.

Oct 1, 2012 -- 9:11AM, Salla wrote:

I'm going to go with 'no'.  Your character should look however you want your character to look.  That's a pure fluff consideration and shouldn't have mechanical representation.

I disagree. If you completely remove appearance from Cha you really do make it a dump stat. I understand that a lot of people don't want their characters to be ugly, so if they have at least a 10 I don't make a big deal. But if they have a negative score, especially in the -6 and -5 area, their appearance have to pay a little bit. 

To answer the original post I'd say "no".  Even though they say they are combining all editions from what I've seen and heard is a polished 4th ed.  I hope they, at least, add a sidenote or include it in a non-core book.  In my personal opinion though charisma (CHA) and comeliness (COM) SHOULD be two different stats since they have different uses and meanings.  One can be used strictly as visual and the other emotional.

  For example I'm sure most men (and some women) would agree that Kate Upton has a high comeliness.  She is very attractive, but she could be a total bitch in person (I've never met her so could be wrong).  Second example would be Quenten Tarantino who didn't really get the gift of beauty.  I did meet him on the set of "Death Proof".  He wore the same black cowboy shirt 2 days in a row w/ sweat rings on it, but he is really likeable guy.  I've been on multiple sets with stars with no reaction, but his high charisma made me a bit starstruck.