I thought this was an interesting quote. My skimming algorithm caught some keywords from the strong claims classification so I had to re-read the section just in case there was some juicy false claims going on so I could collect on the passive-aggressive fact-checking we all so enjoy here.FrankTrollman wrote: ...
The Vanilla Action Hero is the character of choice of innumerates who do not understand probability. And what they want out of the character type is literally impossible. What they want is a character who "beats the odds", which is literally and specifically the only character that no RPG can possibly support. When translated into a game, the character has to have an actual ability called "Odds Beating (Ex)" or something that genuinely changes the odds such that failure and death is almost or actually impossible. At which point of course, the character isn't really beating the odds anymore.
But I'd rather not have some sort of verbal contention. I think this quote could lead into an interesting discussion by itself. Therefore I'll frame this as a question.
The question: What characters or stories are impossible to produce in RPGs because of the characteristics of the medium (aside from the above).