D&D 5E Is 5e Heroic, or SUPER-heroic?

[Oofta]

Are D&D PCs superheroes? Well, the most powerful wizard in the most popular fantasy fiction was only 5th level by comparison

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I always assumed Gandalf was a politician with access to a fireworks supplier and flash bangs (to scare off the goblins) who had a fast horse. The only real magic he did while there were witnesses was when he broke his staff. Absolutely everything else we're just supposed to take his word for it.

I mean, the guy had a good PR department, but that was about all.

Of course comparing LOTR with D&D is about as useful as comparing D&D to superheroes. There are some superficial similarities along with just as many differences.

 

[TheSword]

At 20th level, they are displaying Cosmic Power. How do you 'ground' a Wizard 20 that can fly, travel to other realities, clone himself, be immune to damage and alter reality with a word?

As I said, only when dedicated to... though 100 hp, low saves, lousy AC and the fact for the most part it can only do one of those amazing things at a time keeps them down to earth.

They get to display a sliver of cosmic power, then they need to take a hot bath and a good nights sleep.

 

[Fanaelialae]

They cure dead at 8th level i will say yes they are supers.... or atleast casters are.

If that's the case then both Miracle Max (Princess Bride) and Akiro (Conan the Barbarian) are superheroes. IMO, they are not superheroes.

If all that is meant by "superheroes" is that 5e characters are powerful and can do things beyond the scope of ordinary people, then I can agree with that. That's not really how I'd use the term though, since it carries a lot of connotational baggage from the superhero genre that doesn't really apply to high powered fantasy heroes.

However, the impression I get from the OP is something a bit more over the top. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, just that I don't think it's the standard or to everyone's tastes.

You can certainly have powerful characters who are fundamentally mortal. They might be amazing at dodging swords and fireballs, but they can't simply stand there and "block" swords or fireballs with their face. They can still do epic things like defeating demon lords, it's that they won't be described as having been run through multiple times during the fight by claws that are bigger than they are.

They may be powerful and skilled mortals who can change the world, but they are mortal nonetheless.

 

[Garthanos]

They may be powerful and skilled mortals who can change the world, but they are mortal nonetheless.

Which skill raises the dead and the word "mortal" has meaning and you brought this up right after I mentioned raise the dead?. LOL. I feel the mundanity of how that ritual is usually presented no quests into an afterlife realm no wrestling a god for the privilege.... nothing to me it actually makes it feel like these impossible things are minor for them and not a big deal. (even the 1e penalties were when looked at from a real world perspective pretty shrug)

 

[TheSword]

Which skill raises the dead and the word "mortal" has meaning and you brought this up right after I mentioned raise the dead?. LOL. I feel the mundanity of how that ritual is usually presented no quests into an afterlife realm no wrestling a god for the privilege.... nothing to me it actually makes it feel like these impossible things are minor for them and not a big deal. (even the 1e penalties were when looked at from a real world perspective pretty shrug)

What you’re describing is miracle from your god as a reward for exceptional faith. It isn’t a superpower.

Moses wasn’t displaying superpowers when it is said he called on God to part the waters of the Red Sea.

 

[Garthanos]

Moses wasn’t displaying superpowers when he called on God to part the waters of the Red Sea.

Call it what you want to ;p. For me no D&D priest reads like a miraculous thing anymore than a magic missile (its way too character driven not god driven god offered). RuneQuest had some very maybe the god will give you what you want maybe something else game elements and maybe they wont and you had to really sacrifice to do big things that doesn't happen in D&D. It lacks authenticity AND does feel like super powers. OR super science with its reliability

 

[Scott Christian]

Lol, I like to chart a middle way. Never used fumbles, insta-death and starting new PCs a level lower than live ones.

However neither do I allow PCs to go crazy. They remain thoroughly down to earth. The enemies they face may display amazing cosmic power but the PCs definitely don’t. As I said, I play it like the Witcher. Magic is a boon and only becomes amazing when dedicated to.

Of course a character can fly around firing disintegration rays. But in 5e that character has 50 hp and will die from a round of attacks from a dragon.

You mean down to earth as they encounter CR's at or above their level, correct? I think if that is what it takes to make high level characters down to earth, then every DM makes the characters down to earth. But, it dismisses the fact that the characters are god-like to 99.9% of the other humanoids and creatures. I mean, other encounters don't auto-disappear just because the group is 15th level do they? A troll is still hungry, and might attack that 15th level wizard, which by that level, the troll is like a mosquito, annoying.

 

[TheSword]

Call it what you want to ;p. For me no D&D priest reads like a miraculous thing anymore than a magic missile (its way too character driven not god driven god offered). RuneQuest had some very maybe the god will give you what you want maybe something else game elements and maybe they wont and you had to really sacrifice to do big things that doesn't happen in D&D. It lacks authenticity AND does feel like super powers. OR super science with its reliability

That probably comes down to the role playing. After all the cleric has to pray to the god for their spells and usually display their holy symbol. Sure if you ignore those things it may look like superpowers.

I myself like a bit of “Oh most holy Torm, smite these infidels who, naughty in your sight, shall snuff it.”

 

[Garthanos]

Might as well say the Warlocks Demon Did it so he doesn't have super powers. (not convinced)

 

[Garthanos]

I myself like a bit of “Oh most holy Torm, smite these infidels who, naughty in your sight, shall snuff it.”