Ultimate Campaign: Clarification on Drawbacks

[Kaushal Avan Spellfire]

Hello. I was wondering if anyone might be able to answer a question I have about drawbacks (a developer, preferably). You see, I find the phrasing on drawbacks a little vague and am uncertain as to what exactly it means. Here is the full explanation of drawbacks as provided by the book.

Ultimate Campaign wrote:

Drawbacks are traits in reverse. Instead of granting you a boon, they grant you a negative effect, typically in particular circumstances. If you choose to take a drawback, you can take a third trait that you have access to. You don’t have to take a drawback.

Now, there are two ways this can be interpreted: 1.) You can take three traits and a drawback, or 2.) you can take two traits and a drawback.

Let me explain my reasoning for 2: Recall that it says "Drawbacks are traits in reverse." This statement suggests that a drawback would be selected as a trait, and furnishes you with a third bonus trait just so you're night behind your peers in terms of power. This interpretation makes sense with drawbacks being purely for flavor, but also makes characters with drawbacks slightly weaker than their peers, although far more interesting.

I do realize that my thought process here might be a little too complex, and that I might be getting caught up on the semantics of a vaguely worded sentence. However, I would still kindly appreciate some clarification.

[Stefan Hill]

I vote for the straightforward brain-off reading that you present as Interpretation (1) 3 + 1; it effectually allows you 3 traits for the price of a single drawback. But such a move is completely optional to the player.

[Ascalaphus]

I think the intent is obvious; you can either take two traits as normal, or a drawback and three traits.

[Tamago]

Ascalaphus wrote:

I think the intent is obvious; you can either take two traits as normal, or a drawback and three traits.

Agreed. I think it's pretty clear what they intended here. A character can choose either two traits, or three traits and one drawback.

It does say you *can* take an additional trait, not that you *must*, so I suppose theoretically you could choose to take only two traits and one drawback. I'm not sure why you would, though.

[Enlight_Bystand]

Page 8 specifically says:

"Select two traits (or three traits and a drawback) that capture the background you imagined"

That's pretty clear I think...

[ferrinwulf]

yeah you are trying way too hard to make it look complicated when it is in fact clear as day.

If you choose to take a drawback, you can take a third trait that you have access to.

in other words you can take a drawback and gain 1 trait therby giving you 1 drawback and 3 traits.

I think I can see where you got confused..I think. A drawback is a trait in reverse. Reverse does not mean you minus or take back a trait it simply means that instead of giving you a bonus to something as a trait does it gives you a negative in something hence drawback.

Simplz