Your Shepard finds stress to be a good thing? That may be your head-canon, but that isn't how stress works. Stress's effect on the body and brain has been proven, and the fact is it affects you in a lot of ways... And every single way is negative. Look at this list, and tell me stress is good for Shepard when a galactic sized war is going on-
1. Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain2. Gritting, grinding teeth
3. Stuttering or stammering
4. Tremors, trembling of lips, hands
5. Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms
6. Light headedness, faintness, dizziness
7. Ringing, buzzing or “popping sounds
8. Frequent blushing, sweating
9. Cold or sweaty hands, feet
10. Dry mouth, problems swallowing
11. Frequent colds, infections, herpes sores
12. Rashes, itching, hives, “goose bumps”
13. Unexplained or frequent “allergy” attacks
14. Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea
15. Excess belching, flatulence
16. Constipation, diarrhea, loss of control
17. Difficulty breathing, frequent sighing
18. Sudden attacks of life threatening panic
19. Chest pain, palpitations, rapid pulse
20. Frequent urination
21. Diminished sexual desire or performance
22. Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness
23. Increased anger, frustration, hostility
24. Depression, frequent or wild mood swings
25. Increased or decreased appetite
26. Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams
27. Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts
28. Trouble learning new information
29. Forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion
30. Difficulty in making decisions
31. Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed
32. Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts
33. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness
34. Little interest in appearance, punctuality
35. Nervous habits, fidgeting, feet tapping
36. Increased frustration, irritability, edginess
37. Overreaction to petty annoyances
38. Increased number of minor accidents
39. Obsessive or compulsive behavior
40. Reduced work efficiency or productivity
41. Lies or excuses to cover up poor work
42. Rapid or mumbled speech
43. Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness
44. Problems in communication, sharing
45. Social withdrawal and isolation
46. Constant tiredness, weakness, fatigue
47. Frequent use of over-the-counter drugs
48. Weight gain or loss without diet
49. Increased smoking, alcohol or drug use
50. Excessive gambling or impulse buying
Sound fun? Sound like something you want your most valued soldier going through? If some mere shore leave while fixing the ship helps with stress levels right before the most important battle of the war, then it's something you may want to order your soldier to do.
That's great, but my Shepard isn't suffering from stress related problems. Your argument is flawed because you are applying every one of those constraints onto Shepard (my Shepard no less) because he is under stress. I know how stress works. Believe me, I do. And I don't have problems with it the way you're making it seem I might. And yes, I've been in life-or-death situations where said stress might accumulate, and I was able to keep control and even come to enjoy the feeling of having such stress. Those are symptoms that you've listed, and I'll tell you that my Shepard has no such problems with stress. Stress makes my Shepard a better killer. Yours can go ahead and be broken by it, but mine isn't bound by the same constraints. I'll go ahead and list everything off for you that stress causes for my Shepard.
1. Nope, none of this.
2. Only when he's pissed off at dealing with stupid people.
3. Nope, no stuttering or stammering.
4. No tremors or shaking (unless caused externally)
5. Nothing that wouldn't be caused by external means, such as exertion (like lifting weights, etc.)
6. No light headedness or similar, unless caused by external factors such as atmosphere composition or thickness, etc.
7. From external factors, yes. Stress-related, no. Popping sounds are typical of gunfire.
8. No blushing. Chronic sweating, but that's the kind of person my Shepard is, especially when it's caused by exertion.
9. Yes, he can have clammy hands and feet sometimes. No, it's not stress-related.
10. Nope, none of that.
11. No, he has no problem with infections, and the only things he'd get are possible STD's. (seriously, did you go onto Web M.D. and list every symptom of stress?)
12. Only when he touches stuff when he shouldn't have touched. Or is cold.
13. No frequent or unexplained allergic reactions beyond things that are inherently toxic to humans.
14. Only when he eats something he shouldn't have eaten.
15. No more than usual.
16. Same as 14, or if he catches a particular virus or bacteria.
17. Only if in thin atmospheres or similar.
18. Nope, he's basically immune to this.
19. No chest pains that aren't caused from physical trauma, no heart palpitations, but yes, he has a high pulse, especially under stress. It makes him use more oxygen, making him think, react, decide, and move faster. It's stress, but beneficial stress.
20. Only when he drinks a lot or has a bladder infection.
21. Oh Hell no! He's a racehorse on viagra and bullshark testosterone. He's a wild man in the sheets with Miranda.
22. Unless it involves Miranda, no, he never feels any excess of this. He doesn't feel guilt period.
23. It's pretty much his usual disposition whenever he deals with the alliance, the Council, and idiots in general. Not really any spectacular change.
24. Nope.
25. He eats when he's hungry. That's it.
26. Unfortunate character hijacking aside in ME3, no, unless it's about Miranda.
27. No problem concentrating or focusing, unless it's amorous thoughts or if he's bored. He has a naturally racing thinking process, which is good. He thinks faster than the vast majority of people do.
28. Only when it's presented to him in ways that are physically incompatible with human physiology. Otherwise, he has no problem learning new information and retaining it.
29. He only forgets things if they're not important. Otherwise, no to this as well.
30. Only if it's difficult economically. Otherwise, no, he makes decisions fast and succinctly, and lives with the outcomes.
31. Only when he is physically overloaded or overwhelmed, typically by said physical attack from an omni-tool or charging Krogan. Otherwise, no.
32. Nope. Suicidal thoughts? Only when he wants to be done of having to deal with idiots.
33. Lonliness? Sort of, mainly due to separation from Miranda. Otherwise, no, he is lonely, and he prefers it that way. Definitely not worthlessness; in case you don't know, my Shepard is a megalomaniac to a degree.
34. Depends on the person, event, etc. Usually, it's because he just plain doesn't give a damn about what others think.
35. Yes, but not stress related. My Shepard is a doer, and is agitated when he's bored or not stimulated.
36. Typically his natural disposition.
37. Natural disposition, especially when he wants to make a point.
38. No, nothing bad that's in his control happens.
39. Only if it's already there naturally.
40. Nope, if anything, his output will only ever rise.
41. No, because he doesn't do poor work, and he doesn't shy away from a problem.
42. Rapid, yes. Mumbles, no. Mainly because he is a fast talker, but he's clear, concise, to the point, and he'll be loud.
43. Nope.
44. To an extent, yes. That's how he is naturally.
45. Because he thinks people are morons who deserve everything the Reapers are giving them, yes. He isolates himself because he likes his own company better than others. There are people he lets in though.
46. Only if it is caused by external factors.
47. He likes to indulge in private vices occasionally. What can he say? He does this not as a stress relief but for pleasure.
48. Nope.
49. Not a smoker (except when his armor is enflamed). To those that don't know him, he's a high-functioning alcoholic. To those that do, they know he legitimately loves his alcohol. Any drug use is done in the name of pleasure and hedonism, not stress. Not really his thing though.
50. He's always been a gambler. Mainly because he virtually never loses. Some would say his luck is uncanny. He's an impulse buyer: he has many tastes and is very materialistic.
Yes, my 'stressed' Shepard is exactly who I want leading the fight to save the galaxy. Said stress only makes him better. Unless you physically harm or debilitate him, there is no decrease in his ability. He lives on it, and he thrives on it. The 'stress' of the war is having absolutely no effect on my Shepard. He knows what he has to do, and he's doing it. That's all there is to it. Granted, the crew might need it, but he really doesn't.
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