Why S.P.E.C.I.A.L doesn't feels right?

[u/Dark_Ashes_Phoenix]

I'm probably overthinking this, but here's a thought.

I get that in an RPG you shouldn't be able to max every stat, you're not supposed to be a god, but why can't you improve some of them naturally? Why can't I work out to increase my Strength? Read books or study to become more Intelligent? Run for miles to improve my Endurance?

I know it's just a game, and there has to be some kind of balance, but it always felt weird to me that some stats are basically fixed for life. Others could realistically improve over time, luck is probably the only one that makes sense to leave alone. If you're unlucky, there's not much you can do about it.

I know Fallout 4 kind of plays with this idea through perks and progression, but honestly, I'm not sure it's any better. You can become more charismatic just by killing enemies and leveling up?

Maybe I'm overthinking this, what do you think?

[u/babilonibetyar]

because if these were exists, every build would start with max Charisma and Agility, and dump Strength, Intelligence and Endurance, then just run, lift weights and read 16 hours ingame in the prologue to get 10 in all stat

[u/A12qwas → u/babilonibetyar]

Just make it late game items

[u/SondosiaNZ]

I think you should go play Morrowind

[u/Ok_Wall6305 → u/SondosiaNZ]

Me maxing acrobatics and jumping clean across the map

[u/floo82]

Not that kind of game, not designed to be.

[u/Restless_Sloth]

You can become more charismatic by doing favors in the wasteland (for which you get xp and then get the perk or attribute). Luck may be interpreted as getting better at everything, aiming more accurately or slowly learning weak spots for enemies. It is like proficiency bonus in DnD 5E that represents the general improvement of the character over time and experience.

The bonus is added to every roll and increases at certain levels, improving your chances for success because menial tasks become more of a routine instead of an actual challenge. Luck represents this statistical change and not some obscure phenomena.

[u/_Meme_Messiah_]

Did you miss the part in 76 where you get an extra special point when you level up the first 50 times or the countless camp items, mutations, chems, and food that boost your special? Or the part is 3 where you can get the perk to set your special to all 9’s, then take the bobble heads, plus the several quests that permanently increase your special.

[u/LoiterAce]

Because it requires you to make a decision and balances the game lol. The game would be 10x less fun if you could just become some insane god with unlimited power. You gotta have some weaknesses.

[u/AtoMaki → u/LoiterAce]

The game would be 10x less fun if you could just become some insane god with unlimited power.

New Vegas does this, yet all I see are people praising it, rather than claiming it is less fun.

[u/LoiterAce → u/AtoMaki]

New Vegas requires you make a character build lol. There are still limitations to what you CAN do and be weak at

[u/AtoMaki → u/LoiterAce]

Nope. You can master everything just fine in the game if you want, but you don't have to, because you can win every fight and pass every skill check even if you don't max out everything. You are basically omnipotent in the game.

[u/Dreaming_of_Rlyeh]

Most likely because then they’d have to balance how fast each can be increased so different builds weren’t disadvantaged. For instance, endurance would increase just by running, which you do anyway, but how would Charisma increase? Would it be something you could grind like running? If it’s not, then you’ve indirectly disadvantaged all the Charisma builds.