WarpedAcorn
First Post
I would rather sit down at the table with an ineffectual character than someone who is just playing a statblock. People who come up with weird or interesting characters make the game more fun. They are the characters that push the red button, look behind the curtain, and open Pandora's Box without checking with the group. They make decisions based on their character and not what they themselves perceive to be the "right" thing. Conversely, people playing statblocks sit down at the table and wait until they are told to make an ability check or to roll for damage in combat. They may be mechanically effective, but I will remember the frail old Cleric who was losing his memory and meandered off like Mr. Magoo much more than I remember anything about the Lance wielding Paladin who could dish out ridiculous damage each round...except that he could deal a lot of damage.
Over the years I've noticed that this game can accommodate both types of players. Personally, I would consider myself a powergamer because I want to min-max my character and squeeze every ounce of potential out of him. However, more important to me is the character. For instance, my current character would get a lot out of taking a few levels in Barbarian, but that class would make no sense for the character so I wouldn't do that. One of my favorite and most memorable characters was an effeminate Elven Fighter/Mage who spoke with a lisp. He could hold his own at the table (this was in 3.0/3.5 Living Greyhawk), but most characters in Living Greyhawk were just statblocks. For Living Greyhawk though, I think it would be hard to have intentionally "gimped" characters due to its Standardized nature. For home games though, I think any DM can accommodate for an entire table of weirdo characters.
Over the years I've noticed that this game can accommodate both types of players. Personally, I would consider myself a powergamer because I want to min-max my character and squeeze every ounce of potential out of him. However, more important to me is the character. For instance, my current character would get a lot out of taking a few levels in Barbarian, but that class would make no sense for the character so I wouldn't do that. One of my favorite and most memorable characters was an effeminate Elven Fighter/Mage who spoke with a lisp. He could hold his own at the table (this was in 3.0/3.5 Living Greyhawk), but most characters in Living Greyhawk were just statblocks. For Living Greyhawk though, I think it would be hard to have intentionally "gimped" characters due to its Standardized nature. For home games though, I think any DM can accommodate for an entire table of weirdo characters.