(05-08-2013, 03:06 PM)CourtCat Wrote: My only issue with this is that, as I understand it, there's an M20 in the works already. Chances are good that these streamline-y changes are made anyway, but it might have gone a different way instead. And, when M20 comes out won't we be switching to it? Regardless, I voted that yes it's a good idea.
We may indeed switch to M20 when it comes out, though I can't say for sure until I see what they do with it. That said, it may be a while before that happens, and even in such an event, I'd try to make the transition as non-jarring as possible. And of course I'd talk to you guys and get a consensus before I did anything. Personally, I'd rather do what I can do now to improve things and not worry about what may or may not happen in the future, but I totally understand this concern.
Shayla Wrote:I say go for it! If they've made those changes in all the other systems, then I think its fairly safe to say they will continue the trend.
Well these changes aren't quite the same as what they've done previously. I think it's safe to assume that they'll get rid of Dodge and move Technology to Knowledges. They may also add Larceny to skills, since they did that in W20. But the rest of it was just my own personal judgment call. As for dropping Law instead of Linguistics (which is what they did in W20,) I just felt that made more sense for Mage. Law has the potential to be used in dice situations (rather than just background and narrative) in WtA a lot more often than in MtA. Whereas I've rolled Linguistics in MtA numerous times in varying situations.
But, that said...
CourtCat Wrote:(My big thing is actually Linguistics ability vs. Language merit. Ah, well!)
Yeah, I think we may just be of different minds on this one. But I understand your line of thinking. Linguistics would be difficult to convert easily if we do decide to change it. But I promise, if such an event occurs, I will figure out a way to make it fair and not screw anyone over. (Your character won't lose any languages - or anything else.)
Personally, I'm still very much in favor of leaving Linguistics as it is. I feel like the merit system, while fine for characters who just want one or two additional languages and have no particular background in linguistics itself, makes things really difficult for characters with a strong language background. That said! It might work well as a background instead (which would solve both problems.) As I mentioned, I'm happy with it as it is, because I actually like to use linguistics as a multi-purpose trait - not just a repository for known languages. But if I'm in the minority on this one, I'd certainly be willing to consider re-vamping it into a background.
If anyone else feels strongly about this, feel free to let me know. Otherwise it's probably going to stay as it is.