Pineapple Express: Someone Is Wrong on the Internet?

[MNblockhead]

I have found that not to be the case. Asking, "Why are you optimizing so ruthlessly when no one else is?" has been enough to clue someone into the expectations at the table.

It is, of course, possible that I am the luckiest GM ever, and my players are unique unicorns; but I do not believe it to be the case.

I have no problem with optimizers. It can be a lot of fun, especially when you ham it up in the game world, to have one extremely competent PC having to continually save the rest of the underoptimized, non-strategists, who keep getting themselves into trouble.

IME, there isn't an issue with optimization, just people who expect everyone to play to their expectations.

 

[overgeeked]

And that's where I come in, with my horde of equally-broken monsters!

They're not even all that broken. I don't have time to design tactical nukes that are custom-built to target specific characters. (Ain't nobody got time for that.) So usually I just give the boss monster a feat or two, maybe some different equipment. You'd be surprised what full plate and the Lucky feat will do for the Big Bad.

Mobility + Sentinel is a pretty good all-purpose combo, too. Magic Initiate is always good for defying expectations too (surprise! these kobolds know magic missile!)

Don't feel bad about mixing things up.

Yes, you can get into an arms race with your players if you want to. It proves the point of how disruptive and adversarial the optimizer is in the first place. As the referee you have to throw the game out of whack to catch up to the optimizer, which then destroys the rest of the part, who all have to then optimize to even stay alive...

Or you just don't play with optimizers because they're adversarial players and disruptive to play.

Yeah, the one in my group is extremely self-disciplined about not dragging the whole game into his orbit. He will offer advice if asked and helps keep me on track, rules-wise, but otherwise is happy to just be very effective in combat while still allowing most of the game to be about roleplay and narrative.

It would be easy for him to wreck the campaigns, but fortunately, he's a great team player.

That's as rare as hen's teeth.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

That's as rare as hen's teeth.

I am keenly aware of how great my players are.

 

[Scribe]

---

Seems like a winner there.

 

[MNblockhead]

7. Star Wars Bed Sheets. Search your feelings. You know this to be true.

[Searches feelings.] ...Yes, I know it to be true. Might have to bump it up higher on the list now that you bring it up.

But...what about star wars metal lunch boxes from the 1970s?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

But...what about star wars metal lunch boxes from the 1970s?

Now that we know about microplastics, I hope metal lunch boxes make a comeback. (I love bamboo in general, but I suspect bamboo lunch boxes are going to be really unsatisfying.)

 

[Cadence]

[Searches feelings.] ...Yes, I know it to be true. Might have to bump it up higher on the list now that you bring it up.

But...what about star wars metal lunch boxes from the 1970s?

RE: Bedsheets

I think my son still gets my old Star Wars pillow case sometimes when we visit my dads.

 

[Thomas Shey]

Lucky you. I have. Repeatedly.

I've never found that to work. It typically ends with an argument you could lift from here. "Why are you telling me how to play?" or some such nonsense.

Not uncommonly its papering over differences in how the player wants the game to play in terms of power ratio and how the GM does.

 

[MNblockhead]

Now that we know about microplastics, I hope metal lunch boxes make a comeback. (I love bamboo in general, but I suspect bamboo lunch boxes are going to be really unsatisfying.)

Metal lunch boxes are now banned in many states (starting with Florida in 1972). My kids' elementary school didn't even allow hard plastic lunch boxes. Have to be the soft, insulated fabric bags/boxes. Plastic thermoses were still allowed and I'm not sure why plastic boxes are worse. I'd rather be hit in the head with plastic lunch box than a thermos.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Metal lunch boxes are now banned in many states (starting with Florida in 1972). My kid's elementary school didn't even allow hard plastic lunch boxes. Have to be the soft, insulated fabric bags/boxes. Plastic thermoses were still allowed and I'm not sure why plastic boxes are worse. I'd rather be hit in the head with plastic lunch box than a thermos.

Hmm, good point. Bamboo it is, then. (We are racing towards a microplastics reckoning in the near future, IMO.)