(12-17-2014, 09:40 AM)Berrod Armstrong Wrote: I don't even understand why it's a thing outside of combat situations.Â
I play characters on both ends of the spectrum and I see nothing wrong with a regular joe -- nor do I see anything wrong with a guy with impressive abilities.
Take Gladiator Bob for example. He's 22 years old, picked up a sword and board three years ago. Three years have passed and he's trained himself up to be decent at it. Bob, however, doesn't really have the capacity to manipulate aether to the point of being flashy. His rampart is simply him lifting and locking his shield, his convalescence is nothing but him running closer to a healer and probably begging for a cure. Savage blade? Just a hack and slash swipe designed to maim.Â
Then there's Gladiator Bill. Bill's about twenty five, he's been training for about six years with a Skilled Free Paladin. Bill was born lucky, he has the capacity and ability to manipulate aether! He's not super rare, special or a Warrior of Light, he's just attuned to the energy that damn near chokes the air in Eorzea. Bill's rampart involves him lifting his shield up AND erecting a somewhat decent barrier of aether in front of him. His convalescence attunes him more properly to the aether coming from his healer. His savage blade makes his sword glow as he hacks apart his foe.
Bob and Bill are both viable in the world we play in, and NOTHING is wrong with either one. It's just a matter of preference!
Bob and Bill's players both exercise discretion when in combat. Bob finds creative ways to match up against stronger foes, while Bill makes sure to cleverly tune his writing to allow any weaker opponents a fighting chance. Bob isn't special, he doesn't want to be! And that's okay. Bill is special -- and why the hell shouldn't he be! And that's okay.Â
Bill's player wants access to the more fantastic side of the world to flavor his roleplay, Bob's player enjoys the rustic, gritty and on the ground setting. Both players have every right to enjoy both things, and neither is any less creative or worse a writer than the other.
It's a matter of preference!
I just wanted to say thank you for this ^
That is what I have been wanting to say since I started reading this thread. I just could not think of the words for it. That is very well said.
In response to the OP's question, Kiht would not qualify. She would -almost- qualify, but Kiht is more like Gladiator Bill in Berrod's example.
This is probably a good thing since Kiht is only five feet tall and lean (She's Miqo'te). She's primarily a Lancer, but knows knife/dagger combat (but not a Rogue) and archery.
Is she that special? I have never thought so. I had always thought it was not that uncommon for adventurers to use aether. Kiht uses it to give her short boosts. She can jump a bit higher than average, muster up a bit more strength than her size and muscle mass should naturally allow. She can only do so for short periods.
Could she use aether to win an arm-wrestling match against a Roegadyn? No, but it might help her not loose instantly. Can she jump like a Dragoon? Certainly not. Do I think Kiht would win against a Gladiator Bob type character? No more of a chance than she would against a Gladiator Bill type character.
There are -many- factors in combat, and the ability to use some flashy aether tricks/boosts is just one thing. If Kiht ever did battle with a PC that does not have aether abilities, I would still give them the same consideration I would to a PC who does.
To compare, there is a character who's player does not frequent these forums. His name is Rinh'li, and his character can -not- use aether. Yet, in battle scenes his combat emotes are often "flashier" than mine!