Intelligence stat
I think intelligence should matter more than it actually does... Why can we just dump the stat and still be able to hack computers, install cbm and create mutagen c'mon...
I think intelligence should matter more than it actually does... Why can we just dump the stat and still be able to hack computers, install cbm and create mutagen c'mon...
I think they should implement organs. Like, if you're really dumb, your intelligence stat is based on your brain organ, so you may want to upload your consciousness temporarly into a computer then upload it back into a vat body, where you would be prompted to choose what the characteristics of the body you wish to grow inside that vat, like hair, skin, eye color, height etc... And then wait for a time, depending on the quality of the vat, how fast it can grow the body without complications. Then once the body is grown to your set age, you can upload your consciouness into the body's brain. Meaning a 4 int character would get a 8/8/8/8 stats across the board due to the vat grow bodies being of average stats, with other more advanced vats allowing for increased stats if one so chooses. I think this should be possible.
Sounds almost like the concept of Alpha mutation - unlocks human potential and forcefully genetically alters the human genome to correct to a more optimal state without the body swap.
In universe, your idea could half work in the way Exodii function if it is expanded to allow you to become an exodii candidate,they are essentially brains( and whatever necessary organs) in a metal suit. I not sure on their organic to inorganic ratio but they have a lot of bionic knickkacks that imply that their biology works in tandem with their machinery and could open up potential that you use machinery to compensate for your weaknesses... although current bionics do give you some flat passive bonuses which you can try min/max with mutations.
And there are primers and specific mutagens in the labs if your character is too low intelligence to make it. Although getting the exact mutagens can be tricky if you can't make them specifically.
I don't know if it will ever have isometric fallout level of intelligence detail, but I personally handwave it away that if you have your facilties then you are "intelligent" enough to learn albeit at various degrees of success thanks to the chemicals in the water.
Not the greatest answer, but it helps me with my suspension of disbelief
And I stand my ground on intelligence mattering more that it currently does, a 4 int character shouldn't be able to get into making fucking mutagen and shit, maybe have npc's do it for you along with installing cbms from nurse robot or other appliance that does it automatically too.
As a low int character you cannot read crucial books, even introductory chemistry probably. You have to stumble through your practical experiments, wasting tons of time and hard-to-get ingredients in failed attempts. I think this checks out from both gamist and simulationist perspectives. I mean, even someone really really stupid can learn to accomplish physical tasks (eventually) and we have specifically "applied science" in the game, not abstract theories.
Sorely tempted to ask you to create an Int 4 character and report back to us with you accomplishments, once you do reach the point of cooking up mutagen 😀
All this talk is inspiring me to look at the int 4, illiterate character.... still need to decide on a theme.
Did do a brief look at it the idea in game and the character has a lot of 50 % failure rates for your starting recipes and is too stupid to know how to put a saddle on a horse or even to ride a horse 😂
You could try play with an illiterate character and with low intelligence then npc training is emulated on how long your character takes to get the knowledge via physical example. Being illiterate a lot of crafting is off the table, including mutagens.
Npc companions do share their recipes and do help with construction if they have the necessary skill so that could be interpreted as them offering advice in construction.
Bionics, if you can reach exodii can install the stuff with good success rate and as bionics is their baby it can be implied it is biotech or tech that is smart enough to learn based off a strict set of instructions. So you can make a case that lockpicking, safecracking and hacking can be AI assisted when installed.
Which then can be used to get past the security for primers and mutagens from labs - or with difficulty, destroying terrain. You wouldn't get what you wanted but it is a path I can imagine a low int character can take.
It is by no means perfect, but I am just trying to think how a low intelligence character could get the high level stuff in a, in my understanding, way of the lore.