D&D 5E Who Picks the Campaign? DMs, Players, and Choice

[FrogReaver]

Well, that's kind of what I thought you were doing - analogizing between campaign and character generation.

And, I think what I suggested still sort of holds - You have two basic routes - pick themes, and pick mechanic to match, or pick mechanics, and then restrict yourself to the themes those mechanics support.

I don't think I'm following you at all.

 

[cmad1977]

I spit out a couple ideas and if nothing really sparks interest we adjust and add flavor until it does.

 

[prabe]

I don't think I'm following you at all.

I think @Umbran is saying that the decisions are kinda analogous. I think I more or less agree:

When one is choosing what one's character will be, one can choose starting from the theme--and then find mechanics to suit--or one can find mechanics that seem attractive for whatever reason--and then find a theme that meshes.

In a similar way, when one is looking at possible campaign ideas, one can look at possible campaign themes, then pair those up with game systems that support them; or one can start from a game system and then look for themes that seem consistent with its mechanics.

 

[Jmarso]

Heck, even things that sound absolutely terrible ("All my vampires are sparkly!" or "Forgotten Realms, but with even more Elminster!") will probably work out okay if the DM cares about the game they are running.

No....no. Some ideas should be excised by mind flayers with brain soap as soon as they occur, for the good of the hobby and the multiverse...

 

[prabe]

No....no. Some ideas should be excised by mind flayers with brain soap as soon as they occur, for the good of the hobby and the multiverse...

MINDFLAYER BRAIN SOAP IS BEST BRAIN SOAP LEAVES BRAIN SQUEEKY KLEEN

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

No....no. Some ideas should be excised by mind flayers with brain soap as soon as they occur, for the good of the hobby and the multiverse...

...all my Elminsters are sparkly?

 

[prabe]

...all my Elminsters are sparkly?

OFF-LABEL USE OF MIND FLAYER BRAIN SOAP TO MAKE WIZZARDS SPARCKLE

APPROVED

 

[FrogReaver]

I think @Umbran is saying that the decisions are kinda analogous. I think I more or less agree:

When one is choosing what one's character will be, one can choose starting from the theme--and then find mechanics to suit--or one can find mechanics that seem attractive for whatever reason--and then find a theme that meshes.

In a similar way, when one is looking at possible campaign ideas, one can look at possible campaign themes, then pair those up with game systems that support them; or one can start from a game system and then look for themes that seem consistent with its mechanics.

That makes sense!

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

You presented a DM polling their players as if it were the most horrific thing in existence--

Well, no. In order of the horror...

1. Bards.
2. Elves.
3. Root canals (without anesthetic).
4. That guy, in the office, who is always saying, "Hot enough for ya?"
5. DMs that are disinterested in the campaigns they are running.
6. Well liquor.
7. The knowledge that we are all alone in an uncaring universe.

 

[S'mon]

I pitch the campaign concepts I want to run. Other GMs I know do the same.