Originally Posted By: Lilith
Fundamentally, it's really hard to implement a power/versatility tradeoff in a balanced way without a class-based system.
What's wrong with a class-based system?
No, really. Have classes -- or races -- that deterministically determine attribute growth. Then do skills as you have. That way there is no problem with powergaming the attributes, but you can still have the interesting (and in-character) attribute-skill interaction.
Originally Posted By: Sarachim
Alec suggested I set my next RP in E/A2, which would set me free to muck about with the canon of someone who won't notice or care.
If you do this, I will
(1) notice
(2) care
(3) put that aside because the setting might actually tempt me into participating, at least if you're going to do it justice.
And no, my character would not be a slithzerikai ninja, despite the temptation. :-D