D&D 5E What are the "True Issues" with 5e?

[Gammadoodler]

Mostly that it encourages players to give some thought to these things, even if only during initial char-gen and once in a while thereafter. On a broader view, it makes them remember the mundane.

It also gives me-as-DM a handy price guide as a start point if-when the PCs scoop a bunch of this stuff during an adventure and want to sell it.

Rarely. However, that's not an argument for saying they shouldn't be listed in the rulebook, if only because they have to be listed somewhere where they'll be seen by all and where else would they go?

Players rarely if ever reference the species write-ups after initial char-gen but they're still in - and should be in - the rulebook.

On the one hand I can understand some small value in reminding players that there is more stuff in the game world than that which is mechanically relevant to their characters.

On the other, I think that there is enough rules content in the PHB to absorb without the inclusion of a bunch of red herring items that do nothing but take up space in the book, on player's character sheets, and in the back of gms' brains.

I think the purpose you're describing could very easily be served by a green box somewhere indicating to players that all that other "stuff" exists, and your character would likely have some of it. Then save the details for the bits that explicitly impact play.

 

[Micah Sweet]

On the one hand I can understand some small value in reminding players that there is more stuff in the game world than that which is mechanically relevant to their characters.

On the other, I think that there is enough rules content in the PHB to absorb without the inclusion of a bunch of red herring items that do nothing but take up space in the book, on player's character sheets, and in the back of gms' brains.

I think the purpose you're describing could very easily be served by a green box somewhere indicating to players that all that other "stuff" exists, and your character would likely have some of it. Then save the details for the bits that explicitly impact play.

Hard to create a plausible imaginary world if you're exclusively focused on things that "impact play". That philosophy also tends to increasingly restrict what can impact play. Straight nope.

 

[Oofta]

Such books exist. They're just not made by WotC, and as such ignored by those who have sworn fealty to them.

If you know of a book that would be useful to others, why not provide a link?

 

[Micah Sweet]

If you know of a book that would be useful to others, why not provide a link?

Maybe when I get home. I have a hard time doing it from my phone.

 

[Oofta]

But that’s entirely the point. You SHOULD be able to know what the game presumes you can do with a shovel.

Or the cold rating of a tent.

We get told exactly how long a torch lasts and how much light it sheds despite those being wildly variable in real life. Do you have an issue with that?

I really don't follow. You use a shovel as a shovel. How much you can dig depends on where you're digging. There is no cold rating for a tent, it generally keeps out the elements if set up properly (and there's no tornado) but it's not going to change the ambient temperature. If you want that you're talking setting up a different type of shelter.

I'm answering the same questions the same way. Repeating the questions doesn't really add any value to the conversation.

 

[Cadence]

Hard to create a plausible imaginary world if you're exclusively focused on things that "impact play". That philosophy also tends to increasingly restrict what can impact play. Straight nope.

I mean, we can't have everything though and have to choose what to focus on?

What are your rules for campsite sanitation (from the biffy to food spoilage) to avoid illness and disease? Same for foot care on marches (blisters, foot fungus, rot, infection)?

 

[Oofta]

I mean, I used to know why we had details on torches. But with everyone having darkvision now...

You do have disadvantage on perception checks in dim light. Most DMs forget or ignore that however.

 

[Cadence]

. There is no cold rating for a tent, it generally keeps out the elements if set up properly (and there's no tornado) but it's not going to change the ambient temperature. If you want that you're talking setting up a different type of shelter.

"Expect it to be 5-10 degrees F warmer inside a 4-season tent versus the outside temperature. Expedition tents and insulated tents can be 15+ degrees F warmer inside than outside temperatures."

Even a bigger difference in sleeping bags.

 

[Oofta]

"Expect it to be 5-10 degrees F warmer inside a 4-season tent versus the outside temperature. Expedition tents and insulated tents can be 15+ degrees F warmer inside than outside temperatures."

Even a bigger difference in sleeping bags.

That's assuming modern tents, but even if we assume it carries over I'm still not sure how helpful it is. Having a tent certainly helps, it can be a life-saver if it's a cold rain or in cases of extreme wind chill. But that's because it's keeping you out of the elements. I just don't see many D&D games being detailed enough that the difference of a few degrees is going to matter.

 

[Cadence]

That's assuming modern tents, but even if we assume it carries over I'm still not sure how helpful it is. Having a tent certainly helps, it can be a life-saver if it's a cold rain or in cases of extreme wind chill. But that's because it's keeping you out of the elements. I just don't see many D&D games being detailed enough that the difference of a few degrees is going to matter.

It feels like I might want a "winter gear" category. But I think that's fine enough grain for me.