Re: [HOE] soldier edge seems like a waste

[Dirk <darklord@dark-sky.net>]

Matt and Teresa Steflik wrote:

> <snip>

> ----------------------------------------------
> One last example (but I'm sure you can see where this is going).
> Suppose you take the background with Rank 2 and belongings 2.  You get:
>
> 1.  9 points in skills.
> 2.  2 points in rank.  Again, for the first effect of this (that of
> military rank), your mileage may vary.  It now also gives you a 2 "free"
> points in leadership or professional soldier.  This effectively is a
> gain of 4 points for the cost of 2.  You of course also gain the ability
> to raise the skills in your specialty to 7 now.
> 3.  The doubling of the effect for belongings again kicks in.  The Rank
> of two lets you double the effect of 2 points in belongings, giving you
> the effect of two "free" points.  Again, this gains you 4 points for the
> cost of two.
> 4.  A pull from the soldier chart (the effect of which averages out to
> be a hindrance equal to approx. a -4).
>
> So, for 9 points you get 9+4+4-4=13.  You've actually gained
> approximately (due to averaging hindrance value) 4 points.

Also, remember the ability to buy skills beyond 5.  Take your example with
rank two, you can buy shootin at 7 for less then seven points (depending on
which package you took).  whereas without the Soldier Background, you would
have to spend 5 points in the first place (more if you start with less then
5), then 12 more to get to 6, and 14 more to get to 7, all for a whopping
total of 31 points.  I think that THAT is meant to be the big payoff with that
edge.

--D