D&D 5E How do you feel about PC abilities being nerfed by the DM?

[beancounter]

Last week, one of my fellow players decided to DM Candlekeep. I rolled up a circle of the moon druid and sent him the character sheet. A couple of days later, he sends me a text claiming that the Moon druid's wild shape to too powerful, and he wanted me to use an alternate table he found on the Internet. I was a little disappointed, but I understood his concern and appreciated that he told me before the game started. I suggested that he buff the monsters instead, but he didn't like that idea.

So, as a DM, do you/would you nerf a players RAW abilities? As a player, would you mind?

I

 

[Lanefan]

I recognize that nerfage is sometimes very necessary, but the specifics really should be noted right up front before players start rolling up their characters - just like any other rules modification.

 

[overgeeked]

As a DM, it really depends. Some things that are peripheral, like banning a few spells, or feats, most players seem to roll with a lot better than a core mechanic like wildshape or rage. Modifying background features is a bit touchy as well. As always, tell the players up front. Buffing the monsters is usually a way better solution and players tend not to complain about that. Some do, but what can you do?

 

[James Gasik]

I don't like it unless it is absolutely necessary. I'm ok with Rule 0 discussions, as this sounds like it was. I'm ok with the group sitting down and saying "yeah, Twilight Cleric is just easy mode D&D".

But sometimes DM's have knee-jerk reactions to things that aren't actually broken at all, and it feels like there is a larger, underlying problem, so I'd really be happier with a detailed analysis and explanation for why they feel an ability has to be changed.

Case in point, in a Pathfinder game, I played, of all things a Rogue. I realized I wasn't going to always get Sneak Attack, so I made a Strength-based Rogue and juggled Archetypes so I could start with a Glaive.

This worked well for a few sessions. Then we got into a fight with a single, powerful opponent, and I got flanking for the whole fight. Suddenly my extra 2d6 damage per turn made him frustrated and angry, and he declared that "Rogues are OP!".

If you're familiar with discussions about 3.x Rogues, you can understand why I started laughing and actually couldn't stop for a few minutes (not the most mature response, and it just made him angrier) and he started in on a tirade to "nerf" Sneak Attack.

I actually had to point him at forum threads dissecting the ability into it's component strengths and weaknesses until he relented!

 

[DND_Reborn]

It doesn't really phase me. A PC's abilities/features is nothing at all compared to how I choose to play that PC.

If it ever happened, I would probably just play something else (as in a different PC concept).

 

[beancounter]

If it ever happened, I would probably just play something else (as in a different PC concept).

Yep, I almost did that too.

 

[Vaalingrade]

I'd want a good reason.

Too often it's I'm afraid of big number' or 'It will be too hard to make the game less fun for you personally'.

 

[jasper]

I am old. I will not Nerf. Just not allow a class or race.

 

[iserith]

As a DM, I don't usually go in and tinker with a race, class, feat, or the like, but I do limit what's available in a given game based on the campaign's theme and setting, and sometimes have variant rules in place around resting, encumbrance, or XP.

As a player, I find creativity is found in constraint, but I'd have to take a hard look at exactly what the DM is changing and why before I'll decide to play. This can sometimes reveal certain incompatibilities with regard to how the DM views the game that I will want hashed out before committing my time.

 

[Unwise]

Nerfing before the game is fine. I try to avoid doing it during the game though.

Normally something that is OP is only that really OP for a couple of levels. The Moon Druid is a prime example of that. At low level they are insanely OP, but does that really matter? You are not low level for long.

Sometimes I 'nerf' things that are not even that OP. Like the Darkness+DevilSight combo. Some things just make every encounter feel the same, or are frustrating for the other players and DM. Another example is druids summoning 8 creatures with spells. A little OP, but VERY annoying and same-same.