(04-15-2015, 08:00 PM)FreelanceWizard Wrote: It's a bit off-topic, but one's conception of power level also depends on how powerful one feels the world as a whole is. So, characters of widely different power levels could, in theory, end up at the same ranking because the danger presented by, say, a Magitek Reaper might be perceived differently by the players. Just some food for thought.

(04-15-2015, 08:20 PM)Zyrusticae Wrote:

(04-15-2015, 08:00 PM)FreelanceWizard Wrote: It's a bit off-topic, but one's conception of power level also depends on how powerful one feels the world as a whole is. So, characters of widely different power levels could, in theory, end up at the same ranking because the danger presented by, say, a Magitek Reaper might be perceived differently by the players. Just some food for thought.

Hmmmm.

But if, for example, the baseline were that 'everything in the wild is as dangerous as a Morbol', you'd still class all the characters at a much, MUCH higher general 'power level' than RL humans simply by virtue of being able to survive in that kind of environment. Right?

Or, to put it another way... if the humans in that kind of world fought back against the monsters and actually came out on top, they would be at a much higher level than the ones who scurry around like rats trying not to get eaten.

Even given wildly differing parameters, we can still use RL as a reference and understand that 'these guys are superhuman' even when the standard is that everything is at that same level.

(04-15-2015, 08:22 PM)Chris Ganale Wrote: Why? It's valid consideration of the topic at hand.

(04-15-2015, 08:20 PM)Zyrusticae Wrote:

(04-15-2015, 08:00 PM)FreelanceWizard Wrote: It's a bit off-topic, but one's conception of power level also depends on how powerful one feels the world as a whole is. So, characters of widely different power levels could, in theory, end up at the same ranking because the danger presented by, say, a Magitek Reaper might be perceived differently by the players. Just some food for thought.

Hmmmm.

But if, for example, the baseline were that 'everything in the wild is as dangerous as a Morbol', you'd still class all the characters at a much, MUCH higher general 'power level' than RL humans simply by virtue of being able to survive in that kind of environment. Right?

Or, to put it another way... if the humans in that kind of world fought back against the monsters and actually came out on top, they would be at a much higher level than the ones who scurry around like rats trying not to get eaten.

Even given wildly differing parameters, we can still use RL as a reference and understand that 'these guys are superhuman' even when the standard is that everything is at that same level.

(04-15-2015, 06:02 PM)Zyrusticae Wrote: See, I've always thought of T'rahnu as the type of person who can, with a bit of help and the right motivation, solo an entire castrum (note: the plan involves stealing a magitek walker or three)... so I guess somewhere between #2 and 3? Now, getting her to actually attempt that is a bit of a challenge...

Her own estimation of her abilities is actually considerably below what she is fully capable of. As such, she retreats from situations where she would actually come out on top just to be safe. Even if she can do it, with lots of planning and some minor assistance, she'd just as well not try in the first place because, seriously, it sounds like suicide, and it very well could be if things don't go her way.

To answer an assertion made in the locked thread (rather rudely, but hey, I don't like leaving things hanging like that), my issue with RP-PvP with a character like this is the obvious fact that having someone at a much lower level - say, around #4 or 5 - beat her up... just doesn't make a lot of sense most of the time. It's like (Fate Stay/Night reference) a regular mage beating up a Heroic Servant. That takes extraordinary circumstances and at least some luck, as well as the element of surprise, and how often does that happen?

This isn't RL, after all, and the differences between those who have the power and those who don't are enormous, far greater than even the already-wide gulfs you see today between practitioners of martial arts and regular Joes. Even David vs Goliath doesn't accurately describe the kind of chasm we're seeing here. You can reference RL combat all you like, but no RL person can leap fifty yalms into the air, immediately change direction and rocket down into their target while simultaneously surviving the fall and taking no damage themselves. Or wield an enormous axe made entirely out of heavy metal and swing it with enough force to send a man flying 20 yalms behind them.

So, you know, don't take it personally if I'd rather not gimp my OP character to accommodate characters at a lower power level. If I can't find an out, in the form of my character simply not taking the fight seriously or having motivation to throw it entirely, I just won't participate. And that's most of the time, really. I have a specific vision in mind for my character so I'm not going to sacrifice that for the sake of others. Just not how I play.

Fortunately, 99% of RP involves no physical violence whatsoever, so it really never comes up anyways. That's a good thing, isn't it?