Chainsaw Mage
First Post
After reading WilltheChased's post about "getting back to basics", etc., I have to say, I share some of his frustration. D&D 3.5 has burned me out completely, so much so that I stopped RPGing altogether for about six months; I'm back now and already chomping at the bit to resume.
But I continue to struggle with many things:
(1) Players with no life other than D&D who are like little weenie encyclopedias, while players like myself, who have a life other than D&D, simply don't have the time or energy to memorize every obscure rule and supplement . . .
(2) As DM, not getting overwhelmed by the options and rules available, even in the PHB (not to mention the fifty million other supplements).
(3) Trying to encourage players not to constantly ask, "When do we level up? More KEWL POWRZ DOODE!"
***
Yeah, I know. "It's a player problem, not a game problem," or "We had the same problems back with AD&D 1e", or "That isn't what it's like in my group!" The stock responses are only helpful the first time you've heard them.
It never fails, though, that when someone discusses their struggles with D&D 3.5, they are told to try another game, often Castles & Crusades.
The problem with that advice, though, is that D&D 3.5 is the game everyone wants to play. Obviously, there are exceptions, but for the most part, D&D 3.5 is the 800 lb. gorilla for a reason. It doesn't matter how great Castles & Crusades (or any other game) is if you end up playing it by yourself.
Argh. Frustrating.
But I continue to struggle with many things:
(1) Players with no life other than D&D who are like little weenie encyclopedias, while players like myself, who have a life other than D&D, simply don't have the time or energy to memorize every obscure rule and supplement . . .
(2) As DM, not getting overwhelmed by the options and rules available, even in the PHB (not to mention the fifty million other supplements).
(3) Trying to encourage players not to constantly ask, "When do we level up? More KEWL POWRZ DOODE!"
***
Yeah, I know. "It's a player problem, not a game problem," or "We had the same problems back with AD&D 1e", or "That isn't what it's like in my group!" The stock responses are only helpful the first time you've heard them.
It never fails, though, that when someone discusses their struggles with D&D 3.5, they are told to try another game, often Castles & Crusades.
The problem with that advice, though, is that D&D 3.5 is the game everyone wants to play. Obviously, there are exceptions, but for the most part, D&D 3.5 is the 800 lb. gorilla for a reason. It doesn't matter how great Castles & Crusades (or any other game) is if you end up playing it by yourself.
Argh. Frustrating.