Blue
Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal
As long as the party are all around the same level, who cares what that power level is? Does the DM run out of dragons or something?
I've both played with and run for groups that are very casual, and groups that are all dire powergamers. They have in common they make memorable and fun characters and roleplay well, because that's what I require. When I play with casual groups, I adjust my character making to match their level. Or perhaps I will optimize towards making other PCs shine.
Now, I do have issues if there is a big power gap, either more or less powerful, between the group. In there I'll have a conversation if appropriate.
But if the group all want to be at the same power level, the idea of "no powergaming" from a DM is literally "I don't know how/want to do my job and balance for a more powerful party".
A DM telling an entire group to tone it down is a red flag of a poor DM, or maybe a lazy DM running a pre-made module they think doesn't need to be customized to their party. A DM talking to one or a minority of players because they are out of line with the rest of the group is a sign of a good DM.
I've both played with and run for groups that are very casual, and groups that are all dire powergamers. They have in common they make memorable and fun characters and roleplay well, because that's what I require. When I play with casual groups, I adjust my character making to match their level. Or perhaps I will optimize towards making other PCs shine.
Now, I do have issues if there is a big power gap, either more or less powerful, between the group. In there I'll have a conversation if appropriate.
But if the group all want to be at the same power level, the idea of "no powergaming" from a DM is literally "I don't know how/want to do my job and balance for a more powerful party".
A DM telling an entire group to tone it down is a red flag of a poor DM, or maybe a lazy DM running a pre-made module they think doesn't need to be customized to their party. A DM talking to one or a minority of players because they are out of line with the rest of the group is a sign of a good DM.