Tricky wrote:My question is purely D20 related. Firstly, here is a screenshot to help me clarify..
What is the purpose of the second row? Let's say I add a +3 will belt to my character. Only the first row will be affected 'directly', the second row will only increase one point in increments of two, subsequently putting the first row on 29 and the second *only* on 9. What is the function of that second row? Is it used in attack rolls too? As far as I can see the first one is the only one that can be influenced 'directly' (opposed to those increments of the second row) with items or force powers. I'm asking this because when I first build my characters at the beginning of the game, I always divide my attribute points evenly to make sure there are no points squandered on 'halfs' in the second row. Is that a good idea or a bad idea? <snip>
The second row is the bonus to your skill gained from your attributes.
You gain a bonus of 0 at 10 and then +1 or -1 for every 2 above/below that with the odd numbers giving the even numbers below them.
For instance 8 and 9 will give you a negative bonus of 1 where as 11 will give you 0. 12 will give +1, 14 will then increase it to +2 and so on.
It is added to all your skill rolls - for instance to hit, when you use repair, demolish and so on. When checking your skills - you'll see the modifier added to the base skill given a total value.
It is always best - in my view - to try and keep as many stats as even to get the full benefit from them. A stat of 15 is basically wasted and could just as well have been 14 giving the same bonus.
Also, I've been trying to figure out if gaining 18 points on constitution to get worthwhile implants is just that.. worthwhile. I usually like to focus solely on either willpower or dexterity, so I want to know what is wiser; max out such a skill from the start of the game or get that loss to constitution back through another skill somehow with a proper implant.
The "smart" thing (in my view) to do is to use your bonus points gained to increase your stats moreso then in character creation.
The way point buy works when creating your character, you have to spend more points on increase you attribute by one. After 14 (if I recall correct) it starts costing 2 points per stat, and after 16 it costs 3.
But the bonus points gained from leveling (every 4th level) can increase from 16 to 17 using just this 1 point.
This means that you get more attribute for your point if only increasing your starting attributes to a max of 14 and using bonus points to go further.
However, this is only true if you want an evenly distributed character. Personally, I usually have one attribute at 16 at character creation eventhough it costs me a little more getting there. However, actual character creation is very very subjective, almost to the point of religion, but the mathematics behind it is easy.
My final questions are about a certain item, the 'Physical Boost D-Package'. Among other things it adds three points to constitution. Its requirements are 18 points. I wonder, is it possible to spend a limited number of points on your constitution, say until you've reached 15, then boost your constitution stat to or over 18 with some other items, and THEN equip the D-package implant? If so, will it be and stay equipped if I remove those other items? And in case this is all doable, can this also be done by boosting constitution with finite force powers?
No. For items like implants, it has to be your "base" attribute which counts. That means withouth any item-modifiers, but only from constitution bought at character creation and bonus point spent in it.
Insert signature here.
