D&D General Why the resistance to D&D being a game?

[Azzy]

Fortunately?

Yes, fortunately. D&D was never designed to be a reality simulator and it's good that it wasn't.

 

[pemerton]

It does, but it merely causes the target to have a disadvantage on attacks against targets other than the goader. It doesn’t actually dictate how the affected creature has to behave.

Isn't the disadvantage because they're behaving a certain way? I mean, what else is it caused by?

Goading attack doesn't force them to attack the PC, it's disadvantage to attack others after you just hit them.

But what causes the disadvantage? Because they're focusing all their ire on the fighter who attacked them?

But then how does that fit with mindless automata, with your super-disciplined guards, etc?

 

[pemerton]

If you can get under someone's skin by insulting them then you don't need a special ability.

I don't know what this means - why wouldn't someone's being able to do that in the fiction be represented by a special ability in the game rules (just like, eg, a rogue's ability to do this and that is represented by a special ability)?

 

[Micah Sweet]

Doesn't 5e D&D have a Goading Attack manoeuvre? Is it magical/supernatural?

If it does, and it isn't limited to what I feel is realistic, then I don't like it either.

Just being honest here.

 

[Oofta]

Isn't the disadvantage because they're behaving a certain way? I mean, what else is it caused by?

But what causes the disadvantage? Because they're focusing all their ire on the fighter who attacked them?

But then how does that fit with mindless automata, with your super-disciplined guards, etc?

The target can still attack anyone they want, they can leave combat, they can start belting out Broadway tunes if they want. It's a difference of degree. Just like I'm okay with someone in full armor making a 20 foot long jump but I'd have an issue with them flying without magic.

Again though, I'm not a fan of the battlemaster. There are some D&D rules I don't care for, fortunately they're the exception not the rule.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Yes, fortunately. D&D was never designed to be a reality simulator and it's good that it wasn't.

Good for you. Please be clear about your personal opinions.

 

[pemerton]

If it does, and it isn't limited to what I feel is realistic, then I don't like it either.

Just being honest here.

Well, a website told me in it's the PHB. So it seems pretty core!

 

[CreamCloud0]

If you can get under someone's skin by insulting them then you don't need a special ability.

i'd still like the mechanics though, being able to say 'you get under their skin' isn't worth toffee if it doesn't reliably affect play, the rogue can taunt as well as the sorcerer as well as the fighter, without mechanics it just comes down to Mother May I with the GM.

Edit: would the bard's reliable talent jack of all trades be worth anything if it just said: 'you are surprisingly adept at many skills even those you don't have any experience with' and no mechanics?

 

[Micah Sweet]

At a certain point, you have to acknowledge that you can't account for every edge case and just exhale and let it go.

Those aren't as edgy as you think they are. Not everyone plays as casual a game as you seem to.

 

[Umbran]

So Fafhrd could go up to a line of Buckingham palace guards and incite them to violence with just a few words in a moment? Without showing an immediate threat or touching them?

Well, Buckingham Palace Guards have notoriously high Wisdom saves. Maybe those BigHonkin'^TM hats give them a big bonus. They are probably Paladins, and are supporting each other with Auras of Protection.

Note that the ability as stated above didn't give the DC of the save. So that'd have to be given before it is useable, or really judged for balance.

And, well, Fafhrd can be really insulting, when he puts his mind to it. Farts, rude hand gestures, and commentary about mothers and honor are probably involved.

A conclave of wizards would forego all spells and walk up to Fafhrd and engage in fisticuffs instead of just turning him into a toad?

Wizards are smart, but not particularly wise, typically. And they are prideful. So, insults can make them mad enough to make poor choices. That's pretty classic, to be honest.

And, by the way, the ability stipulates movement, not attack form. So, they are probably setting up for Burnings Hands or something that requires a touch.

They can insult a pack of wolves by telling them their mother was a poodle?

That's a point in which the ability could use clarification, I'll grant you - like sharing a language, or a minimum Intelligence score on the target is common for such things.