D&D 5E Thievery in 5e - still relevant?

[abirdcall]

Yes. A thief in a movie doesn't just steal a few dollars here and there.

They steal the macguffin.

They steal something important like invasion plans.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Once gold no longer was worth experience, lust for it decreased across the board. Also taking away training costs meant it was only important if you tried to buy magic items or had a domain.

Strip those things and if you are into pilfering gold it’s probably more about roleplay alone.

That said, a thief can help you get to things like levers or guarded things you don’t want to have to fight your way to—-

Thievery is not dead it’s just not as vital. Let’s face it, rogues in 5e are more fire support. They are fun to play but are clearly different.

 

[bedir than]

Eh. The reason Gygax is infamous for having monsters and traps that subvert the dungeon tropes is because he was there for the tropes to be established. Sure, in a Gygax dungeon the door is a mimic, the treasure is an illusion covering a pit of green slime, and the monsters are polymorphed nobles that you were in the dungeon to rescue... but he did know what you expected to find!

I mean he didn't give out xp for killing monsters. He gave it out for taking their treasure.
So, the concept that killing monsters was the core mechanic doesn't bear out.
The Thieves were there so you didn't have to kill everything.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

I mean he didn't give out xp for killing monsters. He gave it out for taking their treasure.
So, the concept that killing monsters was the core mechanic doesn't bear out.
The Thieves were there so you didn't have to kill everything.

Honest question and not rhetorical: 1 e monster did give xp. It paled in comparison the gold xp most of the time. But are u saying Gygax did not use monster xp?

The other point is right—-steal the money without a fight makes all the sense in the world. I think I would like to get back to that…

 

[bedir than]

Honest question and rhetorical: 1 e monster did give xp. It paled in comparison the gold xp most of the time. But are u saying Gygax did not use monster xp?

Original D&D did not, to my understanding it was added later.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Original D&D did not, to my understanding it was added later.

The reason I asked is I know he changed plenty on the fly so wondered if with AD&D too. Would not be surprised.

But in truth if you just tried to advance with monster xp only in 1e, you would never see name level!

 

[Mort]

I still think they've taken ease of use too far, but you're right, I can and do regularly make modifications to 5e to make it more the experience I want.

That's been my way with every edition of D&D. Take it and make the modifications I want. And, frankly, I've made less modifications to 5e than prior editions.

 

[Micah Sweet]

That's been my way with every edition of D&D. Take it and make the modifications I want. And, frankly, I've made less modifications to 5e than prior editions.

So 5e is closest to what you want out of D&D. Good for you. You're in the sweet spot, enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[Mort]

So 5e is closest to what you want out of D&D. Good for you. You're in the sweet spot, enjoy it while it lasts.

I never understand comments like this.

5e works for me. If the changes coming in 2024 don't work for me, then the current 5e still does.

And I have more than enough material for 5e plus stuff from prior editions, 3rd parties and my own stuff to last several life times of gaming.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I never understand comments like this.

5e works for me. If the changes coming in 2024 don't work for me, then the current 5e still does.

And I have more than enough material for 5e plus stuff from prior editions, 3rd parties and my own stuff to last several life times of gaming.

Great! As I said, good for you. Hopefully the entire player base won't move on to the new shiny en masse and leave you liking something everyone else tells you is outdated and enjoyed by virtually no one, leaving you with no one to play with.

Trust me, it can happen. So enjoy being on top while you can.