Well, Since you asked.
I think the current system creates a dicotomy. those who do not want to train, and those who are all maxed out characters. (note, I RP using the mechanics, ie PL to some.... for full disclosure)
Think of lord of the rings, Legolas was really good with the bow, Gimli with the axe, and Gandalf magic (though he swung a mean staff also...)
now imagine it under the current system. Sure, some stay in the shire, being regular folk (and if they RP it as such, I commend thee!, but another thread
) but now imagine our new Frodo:
Maxed on all stats, magic, weapon creation, fighting styles, etc. Our lil frodo would be takin on the orc army singlehanded with magic, swords and inhuman strength. "the fellowship" indeed.
2 ways to address it, make the mobs tougher so still need to group up (for fellowships out of need) OR my suggestion. Limit abilitie acqusition. PS already does this to a small degree, it takes a lot more effort/tria/whatever to get level 50 in a skill than level 1. But there is no cumulative effect other than people taking more time to grind it. (and I LIKE grinding....)
But what if... your skills were based on a different kind of max? so realtively easy to max out STR, if you do nothing except that, forever. You want to be a swordmasterfighter, sure, but if you stop training to work on anything but rudimentary magic, you start "forgetting" levels. Think of some hobby/class you had a decade ago. How much do you remember? Use it or lose it. Become a crafter of perfect swords, sure, maybe even easier than now, but if you then go train on mining and swordfighting and do not practice for lets say, 40 hours of game time, you lose a level in that.
note that is not the same as having a pool of points. The system tracks when you use a skill, at least when you can earn practice points. maybe have every 20 hours ingame you lose 1 level of whatever skills you do not use(maybe only if level over a set point, like 20?, you might remember basics, but forget details), but when you lose one point, you have the training, you just need to practice again. Do not use it for a year, you might lose a few levels. of course you could then run around, ok, need to practice this, then that, then this, just not to lose levels...
then use a pool of points for stats. you can be strongest endurance agility athlete in the land, but youwont have any time for reading and thinking...
So you can be a shire-folk (to return to analogy) or you can be legolas, or gandalf, but you can not be Frodo the most powerful sorcerer, maxed stats, heavy armor fighter with a sword par none, terminator robot ninja pirate. you may have to actually talk to people and get freinds to help you do stuff, and guilds could spread the specialties around.
my 2 tria....
Poll