D&D 5E On rulings, rules, and Twitter, or: How Sage Advice Changed

[MichaelSomething]

We don't need instructions to play Dungeons and Dragons. If a person needs to learns how, they can just watch Matt Mercer!

 

[Lanefan]

What kind of games are you playing a 1 foot difference in height has substantial mechanical effects on gameplay???

The kind that involve a few shreds of realism here and there, where yes if the space you're in doesn't allow you to stand upright yet someone shorter can, the tall person will be at mechanical penalty for - at the very least - movement rate.

The Narrativist revolution cannot come soon enough.

And by that you mean the throw-realism-out-the-window revolution? No thanks.

 

[Lanefan]

So are you saying you'd be okay with a list that a player can look at for ideas?

Absolutely!

Because the way I use it, that's basically what the BIFTs are, especially in the early sessions.

And in the later sessions...do they become more relevant and-or enforced, or less? If less, or not at all, then we're in agreement here.

 

[overgeeked]

Maze Rats is a great example of how to start off a PC with some keywords for their physical appearance, clothing, personality, and background. It takes 5 minutes and works as a jumping off point rather than anything determinative. Alternatively, I would ask my players to fill out the following

• Physical appearance: 2 adjectives + signature item of clothing
• Personality: 3 adjectives
• Backstory: 2-3 bullet points, <100 words
• What does your character want?
• What does your character not want?

I’m stealing this.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I mean, they're fine for reminding new players that they should actually roleplay, sure. The argument against them is that lots of other non-D&D games have mechanics that do the same thing, but better.

Well, they do the same thing but with more mechanics, at least.

 

[mrpopstar]

Non-starter for me; as I'd never want to play in (or run) a system that used meta-currency (e.g. Inspiration). The very idea is rather abhorrent to me, and IMO is one of 5e's (surprisingly few, overall) really glaring mistakes.

I'm not a fan of inspiration either. Not because I object to meta-currency, but because I hate the feeling of begging for approval-cookies. Thankfully, it's easy to ignore.

I'm curious to know if you two feel the same way about advantage and disadvantage. The Dungeon Masters Guide instructs Dungeon Masters to "consider granting advantage when a player shows exceptional creativity or cunning in attempting or describing a task."

Is it abhorrent to reward creativity in this way? Does it taste like approval-cookie?

 

[turnip_farmer]

For my new players, it really helps them think about their character as more than just a class and a race.

In my experience as a new player (5e was the first game I ever played), I found the BIFTs kind of off-putting and distracting.

Making up a fictional character to play is easy. Trying to create a fictional character by defining this list of sentences feels very weird and artificial. I've never had a DM who expected me to do it, thankfully, but it seems like it would make playing a character a much less enjoyable experience to me, and probably would have turned me off the game.

To each their own.

 

[mrpopstar]

Let's all keep in mind that the lists of characteristics included in each background are merely suggestions.
All you need to start the game as per the rules is one ideal, one bond, and one flaw.

It's easy to compile a simple list of the prompts included in the description of each:

Personality Traits

• What do you like?
• What are your past accomplishments?
• What do you dislike or fear?
• (Look to your ability scores for inspiration.)

Ideals

• What are the principles that you will never betray?
• What would prompt you to make sacrifices?
• What drives you to act and guides your goals and ambitions?
• What is the single most important thing you strive for?
• (Look to your alignment and background for inspiration.)

Bonds

• Whom do you care most about?
• To what place do you feel a special connection?
• What is your most treasured possession?
• (Look to your class, background, race, history, and personality traits for inspiration.)

Flaws

• What enrages you?
• What's the one person, concept, or event that you are terrified of?
• What are your vices?
• (Look to your personality traits for inspiration.)

Seek to answer these questions as the game goes on and your character develops.

This is not as kludgy, difficult, constraining, or miserable as some of you are making it out to be.

 

[Asisreo]

Its strange how people say there's no one true way but there are better ways than others. The existence of BIFTs as they are, is just another "way."

BIFTs are short, sweet, and out-of-the way. They're not rails to enforce your character nor drawn-out explanation of character quirks, they're handrails.

Obviously, those attuned to roleplay will be better at it and not need handrails, they've practiced! But, not all players are putting in that much time into practice yet still want to feel like they understand their character.

When you are stumped for how your character would react, you need only to read 5 sentences and get back on track, not your backstory and not your class features. This is what drives the personality traits.

They're meant to be a compass, not a map.

 

[mrpopstar]

They're meant to be a compass, not a map.

I like this analogy!