Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[Devastron]

I apologise for the streams of questions, but these are things I feel are absent or ambigous in the main rules, and thus should be covered (I'm not saying the rules are incomplete, no set of rules can cover anything). I do it as much for other players as for myself.

What are the guidelines for Roller-type autonomous drones that are part of a character? I don't see a points cost for them in the rules. If they are allowed, is there a limit of 1? (I'd highly suggest allowing no more than 2 or people will end up with small armies).

I would say in general that they aren't allowed. If someone applied for one with a character we would have to consider it. There would likely be a heavy stat penalty involved, if it was allowed at all.

[sumowrestler]

I'm not sure if this is the place to post this but it is an idea I tried to bring in a couple years ago. It got a major rewrite so who knows what happens.

Protometal (this name can change at any point, simply can’t think of a good one yet)

Description: Protometal is a very simple living organism with metallic properties that feeds on almost any energy source. This creature creates colonies of it and forms pools around any possible energy source and is almost always in a liquid state. The closest comparison would be like a mold. Tiny particles can float in the air for several miles before it lands in a new area. One of the most common energy sources it absorbs is solar radiation. If more potent energy source is around like geothermal or electricity, then it will grow rapidly and spread. It will not convert stored energy like fossil fuels. The creature will bond to almost any other metal and use it as a start for a colony if sufficient energy is around. The bond is created when the creature breaks down and absorbs the metal within itself gaining some of the metallic properties.
When it is combined with a Transformer, the Transformer gains a new way of changing from robot to alt mode. This changing or “morphing” is not traditional way of transformation. When a TF “morphs”, their body turns into a semi liquid state. The metal will still have a shape but not that recognizable. This liquid goes from one form to the other(s). As with most metals, this will have a silver or gray color to it but will have the shine that silver has. While the TF is in either mode, all the usual equipment will be where it should be and functioning properly. The thing that keeps a Transformer from becoming a pool of metal and parts is major concentration on the part of the Transformer. A small electrical field also assists keeping form by providing a consistent source of food.
Energon is one of the energy sources that makes the organism grow rapidly. Nucleon is the only thing that makes it grow even quicker to almost uncontrollable proportions.

Benefits: this metal will give the mech slight regeneration ability for the armor. This can happen in either robot or alt mode. It also grants the mech the ability to shape shift into another mech. Since the organism feeds off of raw energy, energy based weapons feed the metallic organism. The only way to damage someone is with a projectile or melee weapon.

Weaknesses: one of the major weaknesses that this metal has is a certain microwave frequency. This will severely disrupt the molecular bonding of the metal by killing off some of the organism which will extremely slow down the regeneration ability. It may even destroy the metal if exposed long enough to the microwaves. With a slight change in the frequency, it is also possible to keep the metal in its liquid state instead of destroying it by neutralizing the organism and putting it into a stasis form. This metal isn’t stronger than the usual TF metal that is used in creation. For the shape shifting there are a few problems. The first is that the mech must have some sort of data of the mech that is trying to be impersonated. The other problem is that the shape shifter could only imitate the robot version and not the alt mode. Another problem is that the same microwave frequency that hampers the regeneration ability will force the shape shifter to revert to normal and without the healing ability; the mark will still be there. As with the similar troubles of the microwave frequency, too much will destroy the ability to shape shift. Too much energy at once will overload the organism to the point of self destruction. This takes quite a bit of energy for an extended period of time. As with most metals, extreme cold makes it brittle. The cold will kill the every organism by freezing it to death. When this happens, there is a possibility that the metal will shatter on its own. If it doesn’t, it will take a very simple hit to shatter. The electrical field will be a drain on the energy reserves so any Transformer using this will have to refuel more often. If the mech runs out of energy, the organism will fall off into a pool.

[FuzzymusPrime]

If your plan is to have Swerve come up with this stuff, I think it'd go in the Story Ideas thread.

[The Chaos Bringer]

I've got a story idea but I need some players. I'll need some players to grab the remaining constructicons and I'll need someone to be Groove(I'll take Groove if no one wants him) and of course I need the two faction commanders and lots of extras.

The story involves the introduction of Defensor and the retaking of some territory by the Autobots. First, the Autobots begin making the Protectobots combinable. They nearly succeed. Megatron finds out somehow (Lazerbeak perhaps?) and begins an assult on wherever he operation is taking place. The Autobots hold their attackers back long enough for all the limb pieces to be made combinable. All that remains is a single piece that needs to be installed on Hot Spot. Of course, that's when the Decepticons finally break through (with Devastator's help). Hot Spot can't just sit there and accept destruction so he runs into the battle and does some damage before being captured. The Decepticons retreat with their hostage and return to their territory. Hot Spot is locked up and left alone while the Decepticons celebrate their victory. The Autobots then plan and execute a massive assult on wherever the Decepticons are (locations are up to debate, as is pretty much everything. The Decepticons fight back with everything they've got but the protectobots still manage to slip through and reach Hot Spot. They bust him from his cell and finish the process that fill make Hot Spot combinable. Just as the Decepticons turn the tide (again, with Devastator's help) the Protectobots combine for the first time and fight Devastator 1 on 1. Defensor wins (since everybdy wins in their creation episode) and drives the Decepticons out of their own territory, markign what could be a turning point in the war.

If anyone's willing to be a part of it, let me know so I can submit it in the story ideas thread. Everything in the storyline is up for discussion so any and all suggestions are completely welcome.

Defensor hasn't ever combined yet right?

[Marcus Rush]

The protectobots haven't combined under my command yet, primarily because there has not been a reason to and secondly because we've been down one or two players. We just filled Groove, but we are down a Blades until Fox-Hound returns or some one replaces that player. Secondly they already have the ability to combine, so too do the Constructicons.

However a smash and grab idea involving Hotspot or some major officer does sound like an interesting idea indeed. A little more development and ya may be on to something very... fun.

[Devastron]

I'm not sure if this is the place to post this but it is an idea I tried to bring in a couple years ago. It got a major rewrite so who knows what happens.

Protometal (this name can change at any point, simply can’t think of a good one yet)

Description: Protometal is a very simple living organism with metallic properties that feeds on almost any energy source. This creature creates colonies of it and forms pools around any possible energy source and is almost always in a liquid state. The closest comparison would be like a mold. Tiny particles can float in the air for several miles before it lands in a new area. One of the most common energy sources it absorbs is solar radiation. If more potent energy source is around like geothermal or electricity, then it will grow rapidly and spread. It will not convert stored energy like fossil fuels. The creature will bond to almost any other metal and use it as a start for a colony if sufficient energy is around. The bond is created when the creature breaks down and absorbs the metal within itself gaining some of the metallic properties.
When it is combined with a Transformer, the Transformer gains a new way of changing from robot to alt mode. This changing or “morphing” is not traditional way of transformation. When a TF “morphs”, their body turns into a semi liquid state. The metal will still have a shape but not that recognizable. This liquid goes from one form to the other(s). As with most metals, this will have a silver or gray color to it but will have the shine that silver has. While the TF is in either mode, all the usual equipment will be where it should be and functioning properly. The thing that keeps a Transformer from becoming a pool of metal and parts is major concentration on the part of the Transformer. A small electrical field also assists keeping form by providing a consistent source of food.
Energon is one of the energy sources that makes the organism grow rapidly. Nucleon is the only thing that makes it grow even quicker to almost uncontrollable proportions.

Benefits: this metal will give the mech slight regeneration ability for the armor. This can happen in either robot or alt mode. It also grants the mech the ability to shape shift into another mech. Since the organism feeds off of raw energy, energy based weapons feed the metallic organism. The only way to damage someone is with a projectile or melee weapon.

Weaknesses: one of the major weaknesses that this metal has is a certain microwave frequency. This will severely disrupt the molecular bonding of the metal by killing off some of the organism which will extremely slow down the regeneration ability. It may even destroy the metal if exposed long enough to the microwaves. With a slight change in the frequency, it is also possible to keep the metal in its liquid state instead of destroying it by neutralizing the organism and putting it into a stasis form. This metal isn’t stronger than the usual TF metal that is used in creation. For the shape shifting there are a few problems. The first is that the mech must have some sort of data of the mech that is trying to be impersonated. The other problem is that the shape shifter could only imitate the robot version and not the alt mode. Another problem is that the same microwave frequency that hampers the regeneration ability will force the shape shifter to revert to normal and without the healing ability; the mark will still be there. As with the similar troubles of the microwave frequency, too much will destroy the ability to shape shift. Too much energy at once will overload the organism to the point of self destruction. This takes quite a bit of energy for an extended period of time. As with most metals, extreme cold makes it brittle. The cold will kill the every organism by freezing it to death. When this happens, there is a possibility that the metal will shatter on its own. If it doesn’t, it will take a very simple hit to shatter. The electrical field will be a drain on the energy reserves so any Transformer using this will have to refuel more often. If the mech runs out of energy, the organism will fall off into a pool.

I don't really see this as ever working. It basically sounds like a free upgrade that is far too powerful. It also seems very un-Transformerlike and borderline magical in what it can do.

[Devastron]

The protectobots haven't combined under my command yet, primarily because there has not been a reason to and secondly because we've been down one or two players. We just filled Groove, but we are down a Blades until Fox-Hound returns or some one replaces that player. Secondly they already have the ability to combine, so too do the Constructicons.

However a smash and grab idea involving Hotspot or some major officer does sound like an interesting idea indeed. A little more development and ya may be on to something very... fun.

If a high ranking Autobot were abducted he would likely be taken back to Kaon for interrogation, torture, possible dissection if he has some valuable technology and possibly execution. The Autobots don't really have the power to assault Kaon itself. It would lead to a battle that would draw in every Transformer, and thats not worth it for one guy.

[sumowrestler]

Free? If you want to call something that will drain your energy away if it wasn't for the electric field and eventually eat your body away free. This creature would make Transformers even more energy defficient. You can almost think that the creature as a parasite or symobient. Yeah, the transformation was a little different but that is how it is done in BM to a degree. I could have done it using nanotechnology but figured I would do a little more biological. The only problem I would have had was trying to figure out how to introduce it. I seriously thought I put enough weaknesses in it to make it playable. What would make it playable if I was allowed to revise it?

[FuzzymusPrime]

Free? If you want to call something that will drain your energy away if it wasn't for the electric field and eventually eat your body away free. This creature would make Transformers even more energy defficient. You can almost think that the creature as a parasite or symobient. Yeah, the transformation was a little different but that is how it is done in BM to a degree. I could have done it using nanotechnology but figured I would do a little more biological. The only problem I would have had was trying to figure out how to introduce it. I seriously thought I put enough weaknesses in it to make it playable. What would make it playable if I was allowed to revise it?

Energy inefficiency is an invisible weakness, one that will often be forgotten by everyone, because all refueling and the like happens when the player says for the most part. As for the microwave vunerability, that just makes the whole thing sound like a temporary problem, a decepticon superweapon that troubles the autobots for one battle before Wheeljack comes up with a gizmo to beat it.

The other main problem is that it looks awfully like a cross between Cosmic Rust and a Pretender shell, one of which would drastically refocus the entire game, the other is a plotline already underway.

Ultimately, if you want any form of this to happen in the RPG, your best bet would be to turn it into some sort of Temporary coating, like a spray-on disguise or temporary laserproofing, as opposed to a blanket upgrade that would quickly spread throughout the ranks of both sides.

[sumowrestler]

Ok, then we should leave out nucleon. My idea is basically the opposite of nucleon in the sense of giving more fluidity to a mech instead of remove it. The idea doesn't add any strength or speed to a mech. In fact, the idea would be a major hinderance until someone learned how to adapt and the electric field is created. I understand the thing with Pretender shells which are in the process of being developed. As for the cosmic rust, if I understand correctly, that ate you alive in manner of minutes or hours. This organism would take a good long while before it completely ate you alive. If all esle fails, it might be some sort of chemical compound that allows a player to shape shift their melee weapon through electrical impulses but I seriously don't see that being as useful but more playable and possibly more boring.

[Devastron]

Free? If you want to call something that will drain your energy away if it wasn't for the electric field and eventually eat your body away free. This creature would make Transformers even more energy defficient. You can almost think that the creature as a parasite or symobient. Yeah, the transformation was a little different but that is how it is done in BM to a degree. I could have done it using nanotechnology but figured I would do a little more biological. The only problem I would have had was trying to figure out how to introduce it. I seriously thought I put enough weaknesses in it to make it playable. What would make it playable if I was allowed to revise it?

Like Fuzzymus said, energy inefficiency isn't a really solid weakness, certainly not for something this powerful. The fact that it lets characters appear as other characters, accelerates healing and shields them from certain weapons makes it staggeringly powerful in the short run. In the long run each side would learn the weaknesses and adapt all of their weapons to cancel it out. As it is now it would, if allowed at all, require a heavy stat penalty, well into the double digits. To sum up, I don't really see it as being worth the trouble.

[Marcus Rush]

hmm well Dev that might be a typical strategy for any side, save for one thing, the value of the actual subject if kept alive. For example if it were say Prowl or Hotspot, Megatron could use those individuals to force Prime into a corner... Sacrifice himself for the life of a subordinate. And before you think he would never, sorry this is Optimus Prime, he would and did commit suicide for the killing of video game characters, so it is not unreasonable to think that he would actually agree to the terms if it meant that the subject was to be set free. Keep the prisoner close enough to be seen but out of reach of its friends and allies, a very demented strategy and torture.

Of course there are other ways to avert Prime's self sacrifice, provided the rest of the Protectobots manage to pull off a most entertaining upset. IF Hotspot was the one captured.

[sumowrestler]

Free? If you want to call something that will drain your energy away if it wasn't for the electric field and eventually eat your body away free. This creature would make Transformers even more energy defficient. You can almost think that the creature as a parasite or symobient. Yeah, the transformation was a little different but that is how it is done in BM to a degree. I could have done it using nanotechnology but figured I would do a little more biological. The only problem I would have had was trying to figure out how to introduce it. I seriously thought I put enough weaknesses in it to make it playable. What would make it playable if I was allowed to revise it?

Like Fuzzymus said, energy inefficiency isn't a really solid weakness, certainly not for something this powerful. The fact that it lets characters appear as other characters, accelerates healing and shields them from certain weapons makes it staggeringly powerful in the short run. In the long run each side would learn the weaknesses and adapt all of their weapons to cancel it out. As it is now it would, if allowed at all, require a heavy stat penalty, well into the double digits. To sum up, I don't really see it as being worth the trouble.

As for the "accelerated healing", doesn't the internal repairs do the same trick? I am not thinking instant armor healing but a slow one. It won't do anything for internal repairs. The shield "problem" is already in the game with force shields. I know, a very few people have force shields. As for the looking like other characters, doesn't holograms do that as well? What would it take to modfiy any holographic project to simply be personal?

[Devastron]

Free? If you want to call something that will drain your energy away if it wasn't for the electric field and eventually eat your body away free. This creature would make Transformers even more energy defficient. You can almost think that the creature as a parasite or symobient. Yeah, the transformation was a little different but that is how it is done in BM to a degree. I could have done it using nanotechnology but figured I would do a little more biological. The only problem I would have had was trying to figure out how to introduce it. I seriously thought I put enough weaknesses in it to make it playable. What would make it playable if I was allowed to revise it?

Like Fuzzymus said, energy inefficiency isn't a really solid weakness, certainly not for something this powerful. The fact that it lets characters appear as other characters, accelerates healing and shields them from certain weapons makes it staggeringly powerful in the short run. In the long run each side would learn the weaknesses and adapt all of their weapons to cancel it out. As it is now it would, if allowed at all, require a heavy stat penalty, well into the double digits. To sum up, I don't really see it as being worth the trouble.

As for the "accelerated healing", doesn't the internal repairs do the same trick? I am not thinking instant armor healing but a slow one. It won't do anything for internal repairs. The shield "problem" is already in the game with force shields. I know, a very few people have force shields. As for the looking like other characters, doesn't holograms do that as well? What would it take to modfiy any holographic project to simply be personal?

This healing would be added to natural healing correct? That would qualify as accelerated compared to others. If it just repairs armor then it is possibly even more powerful as armor has to be repaired or replaced manually.

This idea is more powerful than a shield though as it renders them immune to energy weapons, which is by far the majority of Transformer weaponry.

As for looking like another person, that is a bit more than a standard hologram as it would have to move with the person perfectly to keep up the illusion. It would be more like a cloak of some sort.

Basically you add all of this up and you get a mega-weapon with no basis in G1 Transformers at all. Frankly, it feels very untransformerlike, the whole liquid metal morphing effect robs Transformers of one of their most distinct features, actually transforming and having robot modes that resemble alternate modes. I just don't see it working in the game at all.

[Devastron]

hmm well Dev that might be a typical strategy for any side, save for one thing, the value of the actual subject if kept alive. For example if it were say Prowl or Hotspot, Megatron could use those individuals to force Prime into a corner... Sacrifice himself for the life of a subordinate. And before you think he would never, sorry this is Optimus Prime, he would and did commit suicide for the killing of video game characters, so it is not unreasonable to think that he would actually agree to the terms if it meant that the subject was to be set free. Keep the prisoner close enough to be seen but out of reach of its friends and allies, a very demented strategy and torture.

Of course there are other ways to avert Prime's self sacrifice, provided the rest of the Protectobots manage to pull off a most entertaining upset. IF Hotspot was the one captured.

Thats assuming Prime's subordinates would let him sacrifice himself, especially after Megatron's recent betrayal. They would be morons to allow himself to go through with that, especially since Megatron would betray any such deal. With the valuable technology Hot Spot has in him I can almost guarantee he would end up dissected. There is no reason to keep him close to the Autobots. If they want they can send video of his torture or dissection to use as a psychological attack on the Autobots.

I suggest trying some other idea rather than trying to force this one through. Your idea assumes that both sides would act stupidly and I can tell you that Megatron won't let Hot Spot slip back into Autobot hands so easily. He won't be kept in Tagan or Polyhex, but in Kaon, deep in Kolkular where the Constructicons and others can take him apart and learn everything about him. Even if it looked like the bots were about to rescue him, Megatron would probably have him killed first

[sumowrestler]

You are assuming Dev that the look of robot mode will be any different. That you are so wrong. The look will remain the same but how they go from robot to alternate mode will be different. I guess this RPG is afraid to have anything new added to it that would possibly change how it is played. In my opinion, this kills any sort of creativity on the part of a player. It also may give this RPG a very scripted feel that people don't think they can escape the boundaries. Just be glad I took out some of the other things that I originally had in it.

[Devastron]

You are assuming Dev that the look of robot mode will be any different. That you are so wrong. The look will remain the same but how they go from robot to alternate mode will be different. I guess this RPG is afraid to have anything new added to it that would possibly change how it is played. In my opinion, this kills any sort of creativity on the part of a player. It also may give this RPG a very scripted feel that people don't think they can escape the boundaries. Just be glad I took out some of the other things that I originally had in it.

This wouldn't 'change how the game is played' it radically alters the game. Basically, with this stuff, Transformers would shrug off hits from Megatron's cannon, or Prime's rifle, or even Omega Supreme's cannon, all because they are energy based. This isn't some little gadget you whipped up, some little tweak to existing in game technology, its a huge powergame shift. You want to introduce a massively powerful new weapon that, aside from a silver bullet type of weakness, has no major flaws. You don't even bother to list any ideas or concepts on where it comes from or how and why its invented. I'm trying to protect the integrity of the game from the wild shift that just introducing such a powerful technology would do. I don't mind if people come up with new technology in the game, but I'm not going to let them create massive upgrades, especially ones with no real basis in any Transformer lore. If that means it stifles your creativity then so be it.

[sumowrestler]

I think I put in there that they could take only so much energy before it basically overloads. This would include Prime, Megs, any gestalts and so forth. What it would have absorbed would be the ordinary laser pistol\rifle. Probably anything under 7 firepower would fit that category. The higher ones would do some damage. As for basis in any TF lore, there isn't one that I know of and I'm hoping that not every single thing in this RPG will have to have such a background. The closest thing is Beast Machines. I still haven't came up for a good way to introduce it unless it came from space and some how crash landed on Cybertron and some poor sap finds it.

However, I might be able to pull this idea off with a couple "simpler" methods. First would be a energy dampener that would have maybe 2 Earth hour time span before it needs recharged and maintance. The advantage is that it would reduce the damage by half of the weapons that far underneath the firepower 7 category. Anything higher than that would go right on through without difficulties and possibly overloading it. I would expect Wheeljack to be able to come up with something like this. The second part would be a "creme" that someone could create like Perceptor\chemist that would allow someone to "mold" their face and body into another form. The draw back is that the mech couldn't transform into their alt form or the creme would come off. The second draw back is that it would last only 2 Earth hours before breaking down and the mech returning to normal. I'm not really sure how to pull off the regeneration ability but that can wait. I will say one thing, you have challenged me to try things differently and maybe less complicatd which may not be as much fun. The thing that I am disappointed in you about, Dev, is you just point out the flaws and don't give any suggestions on how to fix it. You simply criticize and give nothing back. How else do you expect people to become better players if you don't show them how in the positive way?

[Devastron]

I think I put in there that they could take only so much energy before it basically overloads. This would include Prime, Megs, any gestalts and so forth. What it would have absorbed would be the ordinary laser pistol\rifle. Probably anything under 7 firepower would fit that category. The higher ones would do some damage. As for basis in any TF lore, there isn't one that I know of and I'm hoping that not every single thing in this RPG will have to have such a background. The closest thing is Beast Machines. I still haven't came up for a good way to introduce it unless it came from space and some how crash landed on Cybertron and some poor sap finds it.

However, I might be able to pull this idea off with a couple "simpler" methods. First would be a energy dampener that would have maybe 2 Earth hour time span before it needs recharged and maintance. The advantage is that it would reduce the damage by half of the weapons that far underneath the firepower 7 category. Anything higher than that would go right on through without difficulties and possibly overloading it. I would expect Wheeljack to be able to come up with something like this. The second part would be a "creme" that someone could create like Perceptor\chemist that would allow someone to "mold" their face and body into another form. The draw back is that the mech couldn't transform into their alt form or the creme would come off. The second draw back is that it would last only 2 Earth hours before breaking down and the mech returning to normal. I'm not really sure how to pull off the regeneration ability but that can wait. I will say one thing, you have challenged me to try things differently and maybe less complicatd which may not be as much fun. The thing that I am disappointed in you about, Dev, is you just point out the flaws and don't give any suggestions on how to fix it. You simply criticize and give nothing back. How else do you expect people to become better players if you don't show them how in the positive way?

You aren't really simplifying it now, you are making it more complicated. Dictating stat levels that can affect it complicates it and you very well know that we don't keep close track of time in the game, let alone in hours. It just doesn't work.

The thing I am dissappointed in you sumo, is that you just came up with a gimmick idea, a stat and ability booster, with no basis in the game, no backstory or anything other than some hackneyed 'it came from outer space' angle. There is nothing for me to work with there, nothing for me to suggest anything with. In fact, I don't think I'm stifling your creativity as this seems to be nothing more than a stat and ability booster more suitable for HMW than the RPG. Now I suggest you drop this issue as I have no interest in dragging this out and arguing about it more.

[The Chaos Bringer]

I think I put in there that they could take only so much energy before it basically overloads. This would include Prime, Megs, any gestalts and so forth. What it would have absorbed would be the ordinary laser pistol\rifle. Probably anything under 7 firepower would fit that category. The higher ones would do some damage. As for basis in any TF lore, there isn't one that I know of and I'm hoping that not every single thing in this RPG will have to have such a background. The closest thing is Beast Machines. I still haven't came up for a good way to introduce it unless it came from space and some how crash landed on Cybertron and some poor sap finds it.

However, I might be able to pull this idea off with a couple "simpler" methods. First would be a energy dampener that would have maybe 2 Earth hour time span before it needs recharged and maintance. The advantage is that it would reduce the damage by half of the weapons that far underneath the firepower 7 category. Anything higher than that would go right on through without difficulties and possibly overloading it. I would expect Wheeljack to be able to come up with something like this. The second part would be a "creme" that someone could create like Perceptor\chemist that would allow someone to "mold" their face and body into another form. The draw back is that the mech couldn't transform into their alt form or the creme would come off. The second draw back is that it would last only 2 Earth hours before breaking down and the mech returning to normal. I'm not really sure how to pull off the regeneration ability but that can wait. I will say one thing, you have challenged me to try things differently and maybe less complicatd which may not be as much fun. The thing that I am disappointed in you about, Dev, is you just point out the flaws and don't give any suggestions on how to fix it. You simply criticize and give nothing back. How else do you expect people to become better players if you don't show them how in the positive way?

Dictating what levels it affects and to what degree is a sure-fire way to make newer players like me mess up a lot(more). A defense that effective would surely be equipped to as many soldiers as possible and I don't think I could deal with it(yet). Part of what makes this RPG so great is that it's so simple to use. But simple as it is now, mistakes are made. Complicating it any more(and especially to a degree like this) would not help at all.

Devastron is 100% correct in rejecting this idea. Constructive criticism only needs to be offered when an idea is worth the effort.

I know you said this needs to be dropped, Devastron, but I felt that showing that a casual player(and not just mods) can find fault in the idea and that you are not alone in your opinion was important. I for one am scared of what the idea would do to the RPG and since I care for it, I felt it is my civic duty to look after its best interests.