D&D General What is player agency to you?

[mamba]

The hypothetical scenario is ridiculous. Like, as an example, it’s useless.

no it isn't, it very clearly illustrates a point

That someone tried to offer an answer doesn’t make their attempt ridiculous. The entire scenario is ridiculous.

Is that clearer?

probably, the main problem is that it is wrong however.

 

[Micah Sweet]

How so?

Seriously… how can I provide an answer to you about what you should do when you can’t think up an idea?

What about “Be more creative”? Does that seem like useful advice?

I said you should play however you want. If you asked me, how would I do it… I gave you my answer.

That’s not a cop out at all.

The answer some of us would give would be something like, "the ability doesn't work in this situation". Seems like a pretty straightforward answer to provide, if you can get out of the head-space that insists that the ability must  always work.

 

[gban007]

Feels like there should be a poll or something for people to put where they ultimately stand, something like:

A: A feature only works if the DM has allowed in their setting / background notes for such a feature to work ahead of time
B: A feature works if the DM sees a reasonably plausible reason for such a feature to work, given the world / circumstances
C: A feature works if there is any plausible situation for such a feature to work , given the world / circumstances and with conversation between DM and players
D: A feature always works as written, DM needs to honour it somehow.

It feels like most people are generally advocating for B or C, but acting like the others are advocating for A or D, and maybe some sort of poll would give a better feel for where people are coming from? I do think there are one or two that are A or D, but might be miscommunication

Myself, I tend to game as B.

 

[hawkeyefan]

Sounds good, but kind of sidesteps the focus of the discussion, what if that ruling is, no - it doesn't work this time?

I’ve played in games where background features don’t work the way I prefer them to. If they come up, and I try to use them, and the DM denies the use, I accept it. Then after the game, I explain my dissatisfaction, and I ask if there’s something else we can come up with to replace the feature.

This only happened once. I wound up getting a feat, which came up much more frequently in play.

 

[FrogReaver]

How so?

Seriously… how can I provide an answer to you about what you should do when you can’t think up an idea?

What about “Be more creative”? Does that seem like useful advice?

I said you should play however you want. If you asked me, how would I do it… I gave you my answer.

That’s not a cop out at all.

Because my question started with 'what if there isn't one' - One being what you stated in your preceding post: 'finding a way to make it work that is not ridiculous to you.'

Your entire answer assumed there was some way to make it work for me when my question clearly included the premise that there wasn't a way to make it work for me.

 

[Micah Sweet]

There are generally provisions built right into the features where they wouldn't work.

No food - that portion of wanderer won't work.

No nobles - good luck using position of privilege.

Not in a city - the urchin feature won't work.

If the DM feels there is something equivalent that wouldn't allow the feature- that is a DM call - though hopefully would be discussed with the player.

So the only way a PC ability doesn't work is when the thing it works on doesn't exist?

 

[hawkeyefan]

The answer some of us would give would be something like, "the ability doesn't work in this situation". Seems like a pretty straightforward answer to provide, if you can get out of the head-space that insists that the ability must  always work.

Why would I need to tell any of you guys that? You already play that way. I said that in my response.

What is even happening right now?

 

[Micah Sweet]

Feels like there should be a poll or something for people to put where they ultimately stand, something like:

A: A feature only works if the DM has allowed in their setting / background notes for such a feature to work ahead of time
B: A feature works if the DM sees a reasonably plausible reason for such a feature to work, given the world / circumstances
C: A feature works if there is any plausible situation for such a feature to work , given the world / circumstances and with conversation between DM and players
D: A feature always works as written, DM needs to honour it somehow.

It feels like most people are generally advocating for B or C, but acting like the others are advocating for A or D, and maybe some sort of poll would give a better feel for where people are coming from? I do think there are one or two that are A or D, but might be miscommunication

Myself, I tend to game as B.

I also game as B.

 

[hawkeyefan]

So the only way a PC ability doesn't work is when the thing it works on doesn't exist?

Doesn’t exist? What? No… not in the immediate area. Cities don’t need to not exist for the urchin to be unable to use his feature in a hamlet.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Why would I need to tell any of you guys that? You already play that way. I said that in my response.

What is even happening right now?

You said you couldn't answer the question. That's an answer, and a reasonable one to some here.