D&D (2024) Do players really want balance?

[Maxperson]

People can know they don't like things by description without having to directly experience it. I know I won't like Dark Souls because I know what Dark Souls is like without having had to play it.

Back when 4e came out and I spoke about having read it and not liking it, I got told over and over and over that it plays better than it reads.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Survival Sandboxes aren't popular??

What about Minecraft???

I play a ton of survival video games.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Back when 4e came out and I spoke about having read it and not liking it, I got told over and over and over that it plays better than it reads.

Which has always been a weird response to someone complaining that a rulebook reads like a rulebook; being easy to understand and straightforward, but there we go.

 

[Zardnaar]

I play a ton of survival video games.

Video games do the heavy lifting for you.
I like survival mode in Fallout 4 but never got into the genre.

Radiant Orbs are fun in BG 3 nightmare mode tabletop.

 

[Maxperson]

Which has always been a weird response to someone complaining that a rulebook reads like a rulebook; being easy to understand and straightforward, but there we go.

Don't get me wrong. I agree with you that you can read and see how the game will play. I was just pointing out that what numerous people kept telling me.

 

[jmartkdr2]

Survival Sandboxes aren't popular??

What about Minecraft???

Imagine if you had to do all the math by hand though.

Lots of stuff works with computer games that doesn't work as well with pen-and-paper.

 

[tetrasodium]

Well, in some cases they can, sure. But it is hardly always possible. My PC just just died in our last session. Nothing above is available, certainly nothing in time to help. So, yeah, pretty much "curtains shut".

In fact, I would say IME 75% of the time if a PC dies--they stay dead.

My PC was the 3rd since we began the campaign six months ago. None of them have come back yet. I said it is pretty fraggin' common.

FWIW, only one happened in tier 1, the other two have both been in tier 2. Not sure if you consider that "mid-level" but since most game only make it to 10th or so, I consider it "mid-level". YMMV, of course.


But "will to live" means the PC did not, in fact, actually die. (And I agree, I perfer neither.)

The comment you quoted wasn't talking about dcc funnels or extreme house ruled game that no longer resemble d&d5e. It sounds very much like you are not talking about 5e with so many PC deaths to a campaign or you have left out huge and super relevant details like the house rules or player actions that resulted in no NPCs willing to do the deed for coin.

 

[MichaelSomething]

Imagine if you had to do all the math by hand though.

Lots of stuff works with computer games that doesn't work as well with pen-and-paper.

The Campaign for North Africa: The Desert War 1940-43

A meticulously detailed war simulation that takes more than 41 days of play time.

boardgamegeek.com

 

[Zardnaar]

The Campaign for North Africa: The Desert War 1940-43

A meticulously detailed war simulation that takes more than 41 days of play time.

boardgamegeek.com

Think I'll just play Panzer General

 

[Micah Sweet]

Video games do the heavy lifting for you.
I like survival mode in Fallout 4 but never got into the genre.

Radiant Orbs are fun in BG 3 nightmare mode tabletop.

I'm happy to do the heavy lifting myself. I want survival mechanics in my TTRPGs too.