Thinking of getting rid of parkour skill

[logan9a]

For two reasons:

First, it is inconsistent. It is the only skill that has prereqs.
Second, I've noticed I prefer to call on individual skills.
Third, I can't remember the last time I called on it.
Fourth, it seems to give no real benefit over the individual skills.

(For the people who put points in to it, we can let them take their pick of a first level spell they don't have and stuff the points into that.)

Thoughts?

[PotatoJedi]

I agree. It's a neat skill in theory but it doesn't really do anything special I've noticed. You're better off just making jumping and running rolls.

I can see why you would want to put the replacement into a first level spell instead of skills. For balance purposes this might be okay, since I can think of one or two skills I don't have trained that I would love to trade-in my Parkour skill for. But it also means you're suddenly really good at a new skill which can be really useful, whereas being really good at a level 1 spell doesn't really change much.

How about: new spell at learn, trade-in all your points that you originally spent on Parkour, up to 60%. New skill: all your points that you originally spent, up to 40%. All remaining points are lost forever.

[logan9a]

That sounds reasonable - anyone else have any input?

[Jack Swade]

My couple of examples of a good uses of the skill would be running from roof top to roof top. It can be used to resolve moving across any uneven or difficult terrain with a quick skill resolution.
Example: I flee the Police by running down the alley and try to use the dumpsters, fences, fire escapes, drain pipes and window sills. Well that is using all the pre requisite skills together. It's more than running a race, jumping a rope or climbing a ladder.

I think most countries have some version of American Ninja or some form of obstacle course. Moving like this is what I picture most PC's needing to know how to do. We play an action pact cinematic campaign. Why not use a dynamic skill to resolve it.

OK Batman you crouch dramatically on the peak of the rooftop silhouetted agents the full moon. Give me a jump roll to get off the peak; now I need a sprint roll to get across the roof, OK I need a jump roll to avoid the vent pipe. Looking good, now I need a climb roll or a jump roll to get down the 2 meter drop. As you look across the roof top of the abandoned factory you see dozens of hazards and pit falls.

Does Batman make dozens of rolls or a cool parkour roll? Stay tuned…

Sorry Batman you need to give up style and learn a spell like... Shake a jug of dirty water for 60 seconds. BUT, BUT, I'M BATman…

If you get rid of it it's all good but I'd rather just stick my 40% in speak Finnish.

[logan9a]

I'm thinking I still call for various rolls in practice but (aside from drive) not usually unless the PC's are doing something difficult. I don't really see the rolling of 'parkour' as 'dynamic' - it's just an over powered skill with a lot of prerequisites.


I'd be OK with people sticking points into a language instead - thoughts?

[Happy Fun Ball]

I just used parkour to get out of a train last session. But maneuver/dodge would have been as good. As long as I can put the points somewhere else, I think I'm fine with it.

[PotatoJedi]

Maximums:

Skill: 40%
Language: 50%
Level 1 Spell: 60%

I think that would work.

[logan9a]

Jul 16, 2019 17:18:33 GMT PotatoJedi said:

Maximums:

Language: 50%
Level 1 Spell: 60%

I think that would work.

I'm liking this better.

[PotatoJedi]

Sure.

[Scott]

It doesn't have to be complicated. Just take the points over learn and put them somewhere else. Spread 'em around to different skills if you want. You just can't increase anything to over 60%, because that is the max at character creation.

[logan9a]

Hum. That also sounds reasonable.

I'm not hearing a lot of horrible screaming over this. Freddy, after a couple days to let people move their points, can you adjust the roll20 sheet?

[PotatoJedi]

What I can do is add something like "Parkour [Obsolete, ask GM]" temporarily so that people who haven't read this thread might see it and ask what that's about. Then I can remove it once everyone has reassigned their points.

I'm assuming you can only reassign the points that you spent at character creation, not any points as a result of skill ups?

[logan9a]

Yes - actually if you can have the skill show up in red (or flashing or both?) on the sheet that would be nifty as well.

Even better if there is a clock countdown till 'it goes away time' and such.

[PotatoJedi]

The clock countdown might be a bit much but I can change the colour of it no problem.

[logan9a]

Jul 16, 2019 18:51:02 GMT PotatoJedi said:

The clock countdown might be a bit much but I can change the colour of it no problem.

If you can make the count down look like a bomb and the only way to defuse it is to take the points out of parkour that would be awesome.

But a bit odd.