Hussar
Legend
Ok, Imaro, answer me this then.
When the DM determines the rate at which random encounters are checked for AND the odds of them occuring, how is he not determining the pace of the game?
If I say that I will check for random encounters 1/hour at a 1 in 8 chance, there is a very good chance that the group will be able to rest pretty much whenever it wants. OTOH, if I set the chances at 1/10 minutes with a 1 in 6 chance, then the party will be getting interupted all the time.
So, how is that not controlling pacing? Ok, yup, you're right, he doesn't control it minute by minute, but, he sure as heck has a great deal of control over the pacing.
Additionally, since the DM is setting up static encounters, he can also set the pacing of the adventure. Placing more monsters will result in more encounters. That's pretty self evident. Placing less monsters means that the group will go through larger areas between requiring rests.
Again, the DM, while it's true he can't micromanage pacing, he is most certainly controlling the pace of that game to a degree that the players cannot possibly match. The players simply do not have enough control to be able to set the pacing to the degree that the DM does.
And, if you'll remember, you claimed it was the players who set the pacing. Even if you refuse to accept the DM is setting it, and stay with the idea that pacing is set by random checks - the players are STILL not in control of pacing. Either way, it's never the players who control pacing.
When the DM determines the rate at which random encounters are checked for AND the odds of them occuring, how is he not determining the pace of the game?
If I say that I will check for random encounters 1/hour at a 1 in 8 chance, there is a very good chance that the group will be able to rest pretty much whenever it wants. OTOH, if I set the chances at 1/10 minutes with a 1 in 6 chance, then the party will be getting interupted all the time.
So, how is that not controlling pacing? Ok, yup, you're right, he doesn't control it minute by minute, but, he sure as heck has a great deal of control over the pacing.
Additionally, since the DM is setting up static encounters, he can also set the pacing of the adventure. Placing more monsters will result in more encounters. That's pretty self evident. Placing less monsters means that the group will go through larger areas between requiring rests.
Again, the DM, while it's true he can't micromanage pacing, he is most certainly controlling the pace of that game to a degree that the players cannot possibly match. The players simply do not have enough control to be able to set the pacing to the degree that the DM does.
And, if you'll remember, you claimed it was the players who set the pacing. Even if you refuse to accept the DM is setting it, and stay with the idea that pacing is set by random checks - the players are STILL not in control of pacing. Either way, it's never the players who control pacing.