D&D 5E The Gloves Are Off?

[iserith]

Sure, but it does so by making a claim about the fiction that is not universally agreed with and won't work for everyone.

I'm glad it works for you, but honestly that's as far as it goes.

But you understand your interpretation of when the fiction changes (before the effect is applied, not after) is actually the source of the conflict in your head, right? And that you can simply change it?

 

[Mort]

What is even the point of trying to RP a character with such a scant backstory. To me that kind of shows that the DM has little intention to integrate my character into the story/world.

When a new campaign starts (especially assuming we're starting fresh low level characters) the character's adventuring life is just beginning. There shouldn't be a book that even could be written about the character yet.

Just something basic that establishes the character's place in the campaign.

With those parameters, I'd just write 'amnesia' and then remember everything at the start of the first session.

Nothing wrong with having a good idea of what your character to shape into. But, IMO, the character shouldn't already have a full story before the first session.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I know you don't play 5e but the assumption that a PC is dodging in order to even get a save against a fireball is a faulty one.

A restrained character has no chance at, for example, dodging behind a pillar because their speed is 0. Yet, the player is still able to make a Dex saving throw, albeit at disadvantage.

True, but that rule always seemed a little sketchy to me.

 

[Voadam]

Opportunity attacks literally RAW roll back time to resolve before they are triggered.

Narratively I treat it as triggering just before the resolution even though mechanically it is trigger, roll back time, resolution, trigger happens or not.

Mechanically it is much smoother to have the interrupt for a shield spell or parry happen after the hit, declaring stuff between declaring an attack roll and adjudicating a hit is awkward to time right. Particularly when people are used to the DM saying stuff like "the hobgoblin hits AC 17." Also I like the straightforward quick resolution nature of it as a succesful immediate interrupt defense at the table "He parries, that does not hit" rather than first judging whether to spend it in hopes of it being relevant and then spending time on resolving a mechanic that might not matter at all.

Edit, I clarified the second sentence.

 

[Micah Sweet]

But you understand your interpretation of when the fiction changes (before the effect is applied, not after) is actually the source of the conflict in your head, right? And that you can simply change it?

I understand, but your interpretation is unrealistic to me, and I don't go into gamism unless I really have no choice.

 

[Mort]

True, but that rule always seemed a little sketchy to me.

Why? the world is a fantastical one. There is always room for luck, providence - whatever.

And heck, even in the real world, people have survived from falling out of a high flying airplane.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Then why even bother making them write it down and turn the whole exercise into a Flash Fiction challenge.

I find all the sniping and mockery of people who actually put some thought into their characters hugely disrespectful. Like if they spoke it out loud people here would be interrupting with BORING! I DON'T CARE, CHECK OUT THE LOSER WHO WANTS TO ROLEPLAY IN THIS ROLEPLAYING GAME.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Except mechanically, that exactly what happens. The fact that the PC has been hit has been established  before the PC has to decide whether or not to cast the shield spell. Saying that it's not a retcon expresses your personal opinion about where the fiction is, nothing more.

In the fiction is every miss a complete whiff? Could it be that a strike hits but it is a glancing blow that does not impact HP?

 

[Micah Sweet]

In the fiction is every miss a complete whiff? Could it be that a strike hits but it is a glancing blow that does not impact HP?

Sure, but its also true that people take HP from effects that could not possibly actually hit without downing the PC, so you can't really take hit or miss literally. Which is a real problem.

 

[Pedantic]

In the fiction is every miss a complete whiff? Could it be that a strike hits but it is a glancing blow that does not impact HP?

Careful. We're dangerously close to discussing what HP model precisely, and that is a whole other 20 page disaster we don't need in this thread.