"Simply put, if the DM allows hefty bonuses for good roleplaying in social situations, then if as a player I possess enough roleplaying skill to make my character "good enough" at diplomacy, I have no need to put points there."
Eh? I thought it was fairly clear that a "decent" role playing performance wouldn't give that much of a bonus. The really earth-shattering bonii you give when the player perform worthy of an Oscar, when all around the table can feel the adrenaline rising just from listening to his words.
"I can instead put my points into combat."
But then, you wouldn't be role playing very well, now would you?
I sense a double standard here. Of course you can supplement social skills with good acting. By the same token, you can also supplement combat with sound tactical thinking. Does that lead to me putting points in Diplomacy, I wonder?
If we apply the same rationale equally, to everything, your dilemma evaporates.
"Simply put, if the DM allows hefty bonuses for good roleplaying in social situations, then if as a player I possess enough roleplaying skill to make my character "good enough" at diplomacy, I have no need to put points there."
Eh? I thought it was fairly clear that a "decent" role playing performance wouldn't give that much of a bonus. The really earth-shattering bonii you give when the player perform worthy of an Oscar, when all around the table can feel the adrenaline rising just from listening to his words.
"I can instead put my points into combat."
But then, you wouldn't be role playing very well, now would you?
I sense a double standard here. Of course you can supplement social skills with good acting. By the same token, you can also supplement combat with sound tactical thinking. Does that lead to me putting points in Diplomacy, I wonder?
If we apply the same rationale equally, to everything, your dilemma evaporates.