TheSagaContinues

Steve, why would this need to be "punished" at all, at low levels?  Skill Focus represents a significant focus in one area.  It makes sense that the character would be very good at what they do.  But there are many ways that you can challenge such a character without resorting to meatwalls and never ending reinforcement waves.  When characters, especially low level characters focus, it leaves them open somewhere else.  I find it's better to let the characters shine in the area they chose to focus in, but also throw challenges at them that can't be solved by using their usual hammer.

It is true that I used the example of tougher or more opponents, but that is not the only method available to a GM, and like the player who focused on one thing, shouldn't be the solution to the problem every time.  Having a player that is great in one area is a fantastic opportunity to explore alternate goals and alternative objectives in combat.  I think there is even a thread about it somewhere.  Whatever the case, I don't like the idea that a player should be "punished" for using the options available to them, and I don't think new rules should be introduced just so your player characters can't be awesome.  It's Star Wars, they are supposed to be awesome at what they do.  Of course, I've never been one to care about balance.  I've seen it come up as a problem before, as most GM's have, but it's really much easier to adjust on the fly, than to hope for a game system and rule set that gives perfect balance to everyone.  I saw it with 4e D/D, and our group thought it was rubbish.  That isn't to say that a lot of people don't like 4e, and that is absolutely fine.  We just like different things.

Some people see the UtF+Skill Focus as a problem that needs to be solved.  Sometimes it feels like these people see it as players are not allowed to have nice things.

UtF + Skill Focus is a SERIOUS problem. When a level 2 jedi can easily have a UtF of +13 (training + focus + CHA 14) with Mind Trick, Force Slam, Force Grip, and Move Object, then this character is nearly unstoppable. Trust me, I GM’ed a party of only 2 jedi, and one jedi kept using Mind Trick on every single Sith Trooper, who has a Will defense of 10. That’s an automatic success to get any trooper to do whatever she wanted. The Fort of troopers is not much better. That means that one Force Slam will automatically kill a 6-sq cone worth of Stormtroopers. A Move Object will automatically succeed without rolling, so she can hurl troopers left and right. And Force Grip will also succeed without rolling. How is any of this fair? With a UtF of +13, the jedi doesn’t even need to roll! On the other hand, a well-trained level 2 soldier will have a much harder time trying to hit one Stormtrooper since he has to hit his Reflex which is 16. That means that even with an attack bonus of +6, he will still miss half the time.

Skill Focus (UtF) is completely broken at low levels. A level 2 jedi will outshine any other PC by miles and miles.