Every dupe naturally gravitates towards being a "runner", even if you play with specialisations

[Tobruk]

It isn't that big of a problem, because more skills is always good and all, however, there is no point in assigning a "job specialisation" name to duplicants based on their highest skill. It will always be athletics, unless you really chain them into one place. Even a scientists in my games turn into runners, despite me allocating their beds right next to the stations and making them do nothing else.

[bzgzd]

Btw is there some athletics cap? Like 26 max? (or 33 for twinkletoes) Or is it just very strong diminishing returns after 25?

 

[Tobruk]

Just now, bzgzd said:

Btw is there some athletics cap? Like 26 max? (or 33 for twinkletoes) Or is it just very strong diminishing returns after 25?

 

I have one twinkletoasas and he is indeed 33 lvl. He's been around for long enough to deduce this is indeed the cap (or 27 as you mentioned).

[Angelix]

it just a life. most of time dups spending to .... yeah running
 

[brummbar7]

Ya, it's a weak point in the game.  I think it'd be better if normal movement doesn't count toward the training.  Only running on the hamster wheel, and possibly down the road exercise equipment to train it up.  It very much trivializes the skill the way it is now.

[clickrush]

8 minutes ago, brummbar7 said:

Ya, it's a weak point in the game.  I think it'd be better if normal movement doesn't count toward the training.  Only running on the hamster wheel, and possibly down the road exercise equipment to train it up.  It very much trivializes the skill the way it is now.

I find that too extreme. The issue is basicly that dupes learn athletics too fast in comparison to other skills in general. Movement should totally count but toning it down a notch wouldn't hurt.

[BlueLance]

Ehh I am gonna be the odd one out here but my dupes were at level 50 before starving to death, The next thing is the name of what they are doesnt matter, it just states their highest skill, If other skills are higher then it states that instead.

[Angelix]

58 minutes ago, brummbar7 said:

Ya, it's a weak point in the game.  I think it'd be better if normal movement doesn't count toward the training.  Only running on the hamster wheel, and possibly down the road exercise equipment to train it up.  It very much trivializes the skill the way it is now.

i dont see a weak point here
 

[bzgzd]

2 hours ago, BlueLance said:

Ehh I am gonna be the odd one out here but my dupes were at level 50 before starving to death, The next thing is the name of what they are doesnt matter, it just states their highest skill, If other skills are higher then it states that instead.

Level 50 means they had exosuits on at that moment.

 

[brummbar7]

9 hours ago, Angelix said:

i dont see a weak point here

Depends on one's views, obviously.  But the way I see it, a game is stronger when players are compelled to make choices.  When they must choose - for instance - between utilizing a dupe now in a certain task at a lower skill level, or train the dupe up now to have them be better/faster.  So for example, have a given dupe be a miner or farmer, but move slowly, vs training up their athetics so they can move faster and be more efficient at their other jobs.  Right now it is not necessary to make that choice.  The simple act of moving trains them up.  To me this is a weak mechanic, vs one where the player has to weigh in their mind the pros and cons.  The player does not have a meaningful choice to make there, so their engagement with the game is less than it could be.  

Another example.  Take the currently non-trainable stat, strength.  Imagine the game had a weight set, which you could use to train up your dupes' strength.  Imagine this takes a long time.  You can have a dupe spend their time 'uselessly' training str in order to carry more down the road, or you can get actual meaningful work out of them right now.  That's an engaging mechanic that makes the player think.   Because there is a choice.  And that's an even more stark choice than the athletics example, because the 'training' hamster wheel (in my suggested scenario) actually does produce power, so it's not wasted time.  Vs. the strength example where the choice is waste time for better strength, or use the dupe now.    The fewer choices the player has to make, the less engaging the game.  My opinion.

Edit: @clickrush  regarding toning the learning rate down, yes that would be better than where it's at.  But it still does not produce a choice.  And so imo is still a weak mechanic.

[Tobruk]

51 minutes ago, brummbar7 said:

You can have a dupe spend their time 'uselessly' training str in order to carry more down the road, or you can get actual meaningful work out of them right now.

 

Very good suggestion overall. I hope they add that mechanic soon.