"Optimized" characters or parties?

[Indon]

- A character with a given selection of stats, feats, skills, spells, and equipment which makes him really good.
- A character with a given selection of stats, feats, skills, spells, and equipment which makes him really good plus a satisfactory backstory which explains it all.

I don't feel that these examples contrast Grr's point. I'd bring up a collorary, if you would:

- A character with a given selection of stats, feats, skills, spells, and equipment which makes him very effective in-game, and who has a backstory that justifies that capability.

- A character with a given selection of stats, feats, skills, spells, and equipment dictated by a backstory which happens to be very effective in-game.

It's about priorities. If you place the game first, you risk sacrificing the quality of your story. If you place the story first, you risk sacrificing your effectiveness in the game. Grr is stating that placing the game first is bad, presumably because he's more story-oriented in his game.

At least, that's what I figure.