The Drow, in general, have been kind of Mary Sue.
Yeah, that's what I was saying. I generally don't like the term because I think it's more a flaw with a writer than with a character or group of characters, but the Drow wee basically designed as villains for a game, so many of their attributes can be traced back to game mechanics. Any time that's the case, you'll have some work to do to overcome it.
I don't mind that they are depicted as more capable at a lot of things than other types of races because generally it makes sense.
I agree with a lot of your points. I don't mind Drow or Driz'zt, generally, although he's never made an appearance in any of my games.
His Mary Sue status I attribute to him starring in his own line of books. I mean, in fantasy fiction of this kind, are there really any main characters who don't come across that way?
No, I don't think that's the reason most people don't like him. Drizzt is like Kanye West. At first, kinda cool. But now he's shoved down your throat every time you turn around with "look at how uber awesome I am!", interrupting a lot of other good storylines with his unwanted cameos. "I'm gonna let you finish PCs, but first let me tell you how I fought demons like this before..." Kanye just announced his bid for 2020 presidential race. I'm waiting for the book where Drizzt becomes leader of the Menzo and a demigod above all men.
Hah well I don't really get much exposure to Kanye West. I think he's pretty avoidable, although not entirely. I don't listen to his music or watch anything where e may appear, except for that 11-12-13 concert for a couple years ago. Oh and the gay fish episode of South Park.
I don't think Driz'zt really shows up all that often. What? A couple of cameos in a video game or two over the years? Being given stats on the 3rd edition FR book, along with a ton of other FR characters?
If you don't read the novels, he's totally avoidable, for the most part.
There is a certain level of irony in TTRPG players complaining about someone else liking a mary sue character.
There is nothing inherently wrong with a mary sue type character. There is a reason so many books that have such a protagonist also sell well. And if you want to play a PC who is an ideal and reflects some wish-fulfillment on your part in my game, more power to you. I am not going to deride your day dreams. Ultimately I think part of the reason the game gained popularity to begin with was because it allowed for just that. Same with comic book superheroes. It can be a fun thing to do in a game.
Yeah, prett much. Escapism and power fantasies often go hand in hand.
