Maybe the apparent discrepancy is because "base" and "base maximum" are two different things:
- "base power points" is the number of PP you have without any development.
- "base maximum power points" is the maximum number of PP you have with a +0 bonus from stat.
So your actual maximum is your base maximum plus the bonus from stat.
At least, that's how I understand it.
(Was typing this while Hurin responded.)
Yes, I suppose that would be a reasonable way to read it. However, I've never found any rule or option previously published where your PPs include the stat bonus added directly to a total, including the section in RMCII that defines "Base" as separate from "Developed" power points.
So, following the logic presented here, if I extend out the most generous stat bonus chart (RMCI 4.8, option 2), with the High Elf's racial PR mod, it would take a temp stat of 147 to reach the 290 maximum listed in the chart. (147/10) = 15 + 260 (stat bonus) + 15 (racial mod) = 290
On the opposite end, the Essence-using Stout Halfling would need a temp stat of 119 to reach his maximum of 120. (119/10) = 12 + 120 (stat bonus) -10 (racial mod) = 122 (capped to 120)
Now, if the same calculations were made incorporating PP Development, we get something more reasonable and likely to be used in actual gameplay. If the High Elf Mentalist has a PR stat of 102 and took PP Dev for 51 levels (including adolescence) we get the following: (102/10) = 10 + 35 (stat bonus) + 15 (racial mod) + 204 (4pp * 51) = 264. If he has a PR stat of 104, he would be maxed out by the time he reaches level 43. (The Stout Halfling with an EM stat of 102 would be maxed out by level 21.)
(After Hurin's response.)
Yes, I agree that this appears to be an attempt to create parity between the primary usefulness metrics for spell and non-spell users. However, the racial maximums for hit points are always reached by the inclusion of Body Development rolls (ChL 3.8, RMCII 7.0), though the CO stat bonus is not added directly to the base hit points. It is added as a percentage multiplier after the fact, which is an option listed in RMCII 3.1 for the spell-based stats, and would decrease the totals given in the above examples. For true parity, the racial power point maximums should, in my mind, also include Power Point Development gains, which the instructions in SUC fail to mention.