Gifted trait follow up

[Dan]

This time, the discussion on the subject has shifted over to this thread on the IPLY boards.

JE made a couple of posts that strike me as a little odd:

<blockquote>
"I think you need to start looking at the math again. First of all, you get seven stat points, not six. The points put into IN don't just offset the level-to-level skill penalty, they also boost any skills that are based off of IN. First Aid, Doctor, Science, Repair, and Outdoorsman are all affected by IN. A number of derived statistics are also based off of attributes, not skills (Throwing Range, Perception Range, AP, etc.). In addition to all of that, one of the biggest roadblocks to qualifying for perks is a high primary attribute. Getting seven free stat points sure helps with that. Unless you honestly plan on using every skill in the game, that -180 point penalty isn't worth the sum of its parts. If I put three points in IN, two points in AG, and two points in PE, tag one or two combat skills and put the rest in science skills, I'm doing really, really well, even from the very beginning of the game."

"Yes, because the benefit of Skilled, specifically, sucks when compared to the drawback. The benefit of Gifted is far greater than the benefit of Skilled. Seven attribute points vs. five skill points per level?"
</blockquote>
I don't think looking at the math is the right thing to do here. if Gifted is acknowledged as an overpowered trait, it needs fixing. If it needs fixing then looking at the old numbers is un relevant.
It seems the choice of what do with the trait is limited to two: the old way, or the new JE way.
What about changing the numbers without changing the traits so the math will be right?

 

[Montez]

I think at this point we all know the math arguments against gifted. If that's all there is to it, the solution seems pretty simple: lower the amount of stat points given, raise the skill point penalty, or some combination of both. If it's just a question of balancing numbers though, where does the perk/level penalty come in? That's my main complaint with JE's change, but I don't see it addressed in any of the math arguments for gifted's overpowered state.

 

[dukem]

ill out myself als gifted user here 8)
i loved that trait alot. it allowed me to have 10 int (which would lower the penalty of the trait) 10 ag and 8 perception (für my sniping char) i must say i really did very well all over the game.

i also used small frame in addition cos weight never really played a role in both games (overload tycho in part1 and the car in part2)

 

[DarkUnderlord]

overload tycho in part1

Be careful with that. He sometimes makes the game crash if he's too overloaded.