D&D 5E New Spellcasting Blocks for Monsters --- Why?!

[Faolyn]

If it happens to a critical number of DMs is a sytem issue. At least it is a communication and guideline issue.

Then it's less of an issue about needing a better CR system and more of an issue on needing a better DMG.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Then it's less of an issue about needing a better CR system and more of an issue on needing a better DMG.

A better DMG is definitely needed and in my opinion, a lot of DM advice, assumes a certain playstyle and I think such advisories should be more explicit about where they are coming from.

 

[Faolyn]

So which do you propose, that would help new DMs?

1) Get rid of CR completely.

2) Build a system that (somehow?) incorporated all these variables.

Change CR to something less "exact."

One possibility: group monsters by tier (Tier 1 would encompass levels PCs of 1-4, and so on), with rules on how to make them usable for lower and higher tiers.

 

[Faolyn]

Hasn't happened yet for him. Games are consistently well attended, usually by 30+ year old players from various professional backgrounds, genders, and orientations. Everyone gets along, has an adult sense of humor (no perpetually offended or triggered snowflakes), and everyone is a solid critical thinker. I've been playing in this guy's games for close to a year now, and it's been a far more pleasant and rewarding experience than any of the 5E groups I've tried. If that is an example of gatekeeping at work, then it's working for him.

I'd love to know an example of that "adult sense of humor," because FYI, when you say "no perpetually offended or triggered snowflakes" in combination with "various genders and orientations," I have to wonder if some of those people are actually upset but to afraid to say anything about it, lest they be labeled as a snowflake.

 

[Vaalingrade]

I'd love to know an example of that "adult sense of humor," because FYI, when you say "no perpetually offended or triggered snowflakes" in combination with "various genders and orientations," I have to wonder if some of those people are actually upset but to afraid to say anything about it, lest they be labeled as a snowflake.

And accused of not being an adult!

 

[Parmandur]

Personally, what I like about CR is that it compares monsters to each other. I don't need it to build encounters, but I like to know the relative strengths of these beasties

It's really all that you can do, since WotC doesn't know what your party is capable of doing. Might be all Bards, or all Fighters, and any other possible combination of 1-20 player charaxter types together, depending on the size of the party.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Then it's less of an issue about needing a better CR system and more of an issue on needing a better DMG.

Yeah, THAT I would agree with.

 

[Bill Zebub]

And accused of not being an adult!

When I hear somebody use “snowflake” as a pejorative I definitely think “adult”. Also “thoughtful Renaissance man/woman”, “productive member of society”, and “content with their socio-economic status.”

 

[Jmarso]

I'd love to know an example of that "adult sense of humor," because FYI, when you say "no perpetually offended or triggered snowflakes" in combination with "various genders and orientations," I have to wonder if some of those people are actually upset but to afraid to say anything about it, lest they be labeled as a snowflake.

I guess you'd have to be there to have a sense of how it is at the table. We all laughed out loud about the idea of x-cards one time, because the consensus was (and still is) that if someone has an issue with something, we're all adult enough to broach the topic with others at the table and resolve it as a group, face to face, on the spot. I know it's a foreign concept to some, but it is possible for people of different races, genders, and orientations to get together and enjoy each others' company without being thin-skinned and looking for reasons at taking offense to one another. The one thing we all have in common is that we're a bunch of DnD nerds, and that works for us.

 

[Vaalingrade]

We all laughed out loud about the idea of x-cards one time

without being thin-skinned and looking for reasons at taking offense to one another.

These are not painting a more positive picture.