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General Tabletop Discussion
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
What makes us care about combat balance in D&D?
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<blockquote data-quote="pemerton" data-source="post: 6660535" data-attributes="member: 42582"><p>These were the parts of your post that I particularly agreed with. The idea that RPG play is all about dictation and manipulation by the GM - which seems to be newly resurgent as part of 5e's "DM empowerment" - is one that I find quite frustrating.</p><p></p><p>I've just been rereading my Tunnels & Trolls 5th ed rulebook (1979) and it is refreshing how modern it is - eg the discussion of spell research talks about the need to run new spells by the play group (not just the GM), which is pretty close to Burning Wheel's "peer review"; and the discussion of resolving unusual situations also talks about the group reaching a decision (with the GM having ultimate authority if necessary).</p><p></p><p>The idea of GM authority above all else seems to only arise in respect of game systems (like 2nd ed AD&D) which aren't fit for their ostensible purpose.</p><p></p><p>That reminded me of <a href="http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12222.phtml" target="_blank">this RPG.net review of Hackmaster</a>.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="pemerton, post: 6660535, member: 42582"] These were the parts of your post that I particularly agreed with. The idea that RPG play is all about dictation and manipulation by the GM - which seems to be newly resurgent as part of 5e's "DM empowerment" - is one that I find quite frustrating. I've just been rereading my Tunnels & Trolls 5th ed rulebook (1979) and it is refreshing how modern it is - eg the discussion of spell research talks about the need to run new spells by the play group (not just the GM), which is pretty close to Burning Wheel's "peer review"; and the discussion of resolving unusual situations also talks about the group reaching a decision (with the GM having ultimate authority if necessary). The idea of GM authority above all else seems to only arise in respect of game systems (like 2nd ed AD&D) which aren't fit for their ostensible purpose. That reminded me of [url=http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12222.phtml]this RPG.net review of Hackmaster[/url]. [/QUOTE]
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What makes us care about combat balance in D&D?
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