My favorites for the forum (in my PS forum profile) are all covered in black.  The only way I can see them is to highlight all the text.  (they still work, though...)  I\'m using FireFox 1.0.4 but this does this when I load up IE, too!...  Is this happening to anyone else?

I know there are posts about the balance issues associated with the pp & tria needed for the skills.  (aka: surplus of pp, and flat broke)  This post is not about that.

1)  In my opinion, the pure level based skill system is not the way to go if you want \"realism\".  While I like the idea of needing a master to train you in a new skill, at a certain point you are capable of practicing on your own.  Using the sword should increase the sword stat; defending more should increase armor stats; running more should increase endurance stats; etc.  And, vice versa as well: If you don\'t use the sword as much as you used to, your sword stat should go DOWN.  Stats should go as in real life.  Use it or lose it.

2)  Training sessions should be more involved.  I should not be able to just buy a point or two in a stat.  You should need to find a master, and actually train.  You should switch into a mode where you can use the skill under the direct the instruction of the NPC (or frankly, a master player) and have to complete some sort of simple training task.  This would also have the added benefit of being a tutorial for newbies.

3)  Stats should be interrelated.  If I am a master swordsman, I should be able to pick up dagger use faster than the average person.  Similarly, I should be able to more easily learn magic ways allied with ones I already know.  It should also be distinctly harder to learn opposing ways.

4) Unlearned stats should be hidden.  If my character has never heard about a certain ability, he/she should not have a zero listed for it; it shouldn\'t even be there at all.  Essentially, this is just a matter of turning the filter on permanently.

5)  Stats should affect the character\'s look.  If I have high strength, I should have extra muscles.  Greater magic abilities could add an afterglow after their use.  Etc.  (It\'s obviously a long way off to implement this sort of dynamic character modeling.)

6)  Progression towards stat levels should be hidden.  I don\'t need constant reports that I\'m gaining points towards something.  It should just be assumed that I will get practice in whatever skills are associated with what I\'m currently doing.


If I missed a post on any of these subjects, feel free to give me a link to it.  (I\'m new here and haven\'t exactly read the whole forum...)