[ED3] Learning Talents from Higher levels

Discussion on game mastering Earthdawn. May contain spoilers; caution is recommended!
Post Reply
ManDrake
Posts:11
Joined:Thu Sep 26, 2019 11:09 am
[ED3] Learning Talents from Higher levels

Post by ManDrake » Sat Nov 02, 2019 3:17 pm

In 1st and 2nd edition, players had to option to learn talents from higher circles earlier than normal. I noticed that has been removed in 3rd edition. Anyone know why? I didn't allow it very often, but there were a handful of talents that were sort of integral to certain disciplines that I would make exceptions for, like the Archer for call arrow, Elementalists and Nethermancers for Bargin with Summoned Creatures, Wizards for hold thread, to name a few. Before blood matrices, occasionally an enhanced matrix would be allowed as well. Most talents for the combat style classes talents were available as skills, which could be converted over, so I seldom allowed them to do it, but the prices were usually so high that people seldom wanted to get talents at higher than 1st, just enough to get the critical functionality at some basic level. It had a use, but I will concede it was way overpowered, even at the cost.
Last edited by ManDrake on Sat Nov 02, 2019 5:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Anunnaki
Posts:49
Joined:Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:04 am

Re: [ED3] Learning Talents from Higher levels

Post by Anunnaki » Sat Nov 02, 2019 4:01 pm

ManDrake wrote:
Sat Nov 02, 2019 3:17 pm
In 1st and 2nd edition, players had to option to learn talents from higher circles earlier than normal. I noticed that has been removed in 3rd edition. Anyone know why?
Hiya,

ED3 introduced Talent Options and Pools into the core rules, allowing characters to select a talent at each Circle from within their Status Level range. There was no need for that optional rule in ED3 as you could select from a wider range of talents. In short, the flexibility was baked into the rules.

If a character has a specific need to get access to a Discipline Talent from a higher-Circle, you're better off coming up with a background and write-up as a specialist, swapping some talents around (like the Scout Infiltrator or Explorer, or some of the Thief specialists). Personally, as a GM, if a player takes the time to write up "why" their character has a different talent mix, and it doesn't look game-breaking, I allow it. Big damn heroes and all that. ;)

Hope this helps!

Take kaer, James

PS: For people posting about editions of Earthdawn prior to the current Fourth Edition, please include the version in your topic. It makes it easier to track edition-specific questions. Thanks in advance. :)

Post Reply