Majestic wrote on Oct 2
nd, 2009 at 1:44pm:
Good points, Polarboy!
We use the modified "Charisma Counts" way, but you're right, 2d10 would provide a much more likelihood of more moderate results, and far less chances of the two extremes.
Will have to consider this...
For those unfamiliar with the article, here's a link that reprints "Charisma Counts":
http://paratime.ca/v_and_v/charismacounts.htmlI understand the argument the article is trying to make but still favor the way Jack Herman and Jeff Dee originally handled charisma (which Dee's Living Legends actually reworks as
cool ; i.e. strength of will, the ability to keep calm under pressure).
Here are my general thoughts.
The standard V&V rules emphasize that charisma equates to a character's conviction to a particular side of the law (pp. 3, 7). Exceptionally good deeds can earn heroes more charisma, reinforcing that charisma within the game is tied more closely to actions than personality (p. 20).
From that standpoint, it follows that the legal section of the rulebook gives villains an increased chance of serving time as their evil-based charisma scores rise (p. 38).
The optional "Charisma Counts" article presupposes that charisma also equates to charm and likeability. This makes sense, since that follows the everyday definition of the word, and the way charisma attributes are handled in other games.
Here's how the standard V&V rules might tackle the case-study paradoxes addressed in the "Charisma Counts" article.
- If a villain calls himself Killer Scumdog, that doesn't mean his evil-charisma score is low. Many villains have antisocial names. Since he has many henchmen and is described as an archfiend, his evil-based charisma score might be high--making for negative reactions from good characters on the standard chart (p. 7).
- "Mr. Charm" could have an ability similar to the villain Force (from FORCE and Assassin)--allowing for positive reactions from both sides of the law.
As for that rampaging monster...
Since charisma adjustments of 6 or more are possible (p. 20), the monster might have a relatively high charisma after destroying much of the city, prompting negative reactions from heroes. And agents of the law would still try to stop the monster's desctructive rampage no matter what their reactions to the creature might be.