I understand trawling for penalties over that five thousand points of combat XP, but in the future, it may be wise to be rather more clear on where the penalties are coming from, precisely.  However, as for general wanting of cookies now, 'Screw this, I'm in a hurry,' is a perfectly valid and logical response from people who are actually in a hurry.<br/><br/>I happen to take exception to the 'buffybot' clause, considering that's Sam's job on the team.  The character is pretty much completely useless in a scrap, but is an absolutely hardcore support character.  Sam can't even use his/her most powerful spells on him/herself at all.  This was the character's stated design.  To then be penalized for performing the character's designed and stated job seems extremely inappropriate.  As much so as penalizing a social Rogue for talking her way through encounters instead of fighting.