D&D General Playstyle vs Mechanics

[Maxperson]

I would posit the two generally go together.

I'm not interested in surfing. Because of that, I am unaware of any particular surf boards, or surfing associated brands.

To continue that analogy. I absolutely love boogie boarding(D&D RPG), but I dislike standing up to ride waves(most other RPGS). Even so, I know that there are different brands of surf board. Some have 1 fin, some have 2 fins, some 3, 4 or even 5. I know they come in different lengths. I'm not ignorant of surfboards or surfing, but I'm also not an expert.

I do like other RPGs by the way, just not any of them more than D&D. My players are the same way. I think it's presumptive(arrogant) to assume that D&D would be 2nd, but popular if folks weren't ignorant of other RPGs. I'm sure D&D is 2nd or further for a lot of people, but it's also 1st for a lot of people.

 

[soviet]

showing your superior skill at coming up with reasons right there…

Thank you

I agree, I probably would not accept them because they all fall into this ‘not impossible coincidence’ category that some like to call ‘plausible coincidence’

'What an impossible coincidence that all player-suggested additions to the game have a reason I must reject them'

 

[Micah Sweet]

I think you know what I mean by "trappings" - eg with reference to Earthsea, fictional elements (or if you prefer, "story elements") like dragons, wizards, magic schools, gebbeths, etc.

I think we agree that D&D play - at least as per the "classic" mode - won't produce a sequence of events that orders these elements ("trappings") in something like the way they are ordered in the Earthsea books.

I think we also agree that it's even more true that D&D play probably won't produce a sequence of events in which the occurrence and ordering of these elements produces a story with the rise, fall, climax, theme, resolution etc of the Earthsea books (or something like them).

I'm not sure what you mean by "core essence of fiction", though.

Which is why there are many non-D&D games that offer exactly that experience. And that's a good thing.

 

[TwoSix]

To continue that analogy. I absolutely love boogie boarding(D&D RPG), but I dislike standing up to ride waves(most other RPGS). Even so, I know that there are different brands of surf board. Some have 1 fin, some have 2 fins, some 3, 4 or even 5. I know they come in different lengths. I'm not ignorant of surfboards or surfing, but I'm also not an expert.

I do like other RPGs by the way, just not any of them more than D&D. My players are the same way. I think it's presumptive(arrogant) to assume that D&D would be 2nd, but popular if folks weren't ignorant of other RPGs. I'm sure D&D is 2nd or further for a lot of people, but it's also 1st for a lot of people.

Nope, not doing it. <turn attempt>

 

[Maxperson]

Do you think it's fair to say someone has a considered favorite if 95% of their play experience has been one game?

Yes.

 

[soviet]

Nope, not doing it. <turn attempt>
View attachment 388828

Spend a metagame token!

 

[TwoSix]

Spend a metagame token!

"But my verisimili....."
<dies>

 

[Micah Sweet]

It was clear from the backgrounds thread that it's a skill issue. Some people could spontaneously and easily think of ways a noble might get themselves an invite from the hobgoblin court, or a sailor might use their common experience to make friends with a sailor from a different culture. Other people couldn't think of any ways these things could happen beyond 'being a noble is a magical charm effect' or 'sailors must know everyone in the world'.

Now that, to be fair, can be seen as an insulting statement. You're basically saying that folks who don't see this issue the way you do aren't as skilled as you are. Is that what you want to say?

 

[mamba]

'What an impossible coincidence that all player-suggested additions to the game have a reason I must reject them'

again, I never said all, we are discussing one specific case.

I still see no difference in skill level of coming up with explanations (also, wouldn’t that be on the player?), just a different level of willingness to accept improbable coincidences / to suspend disbelief

 

[Maxperson]

Without the advantage of its wide familiarity, most people would play something else besides D&D.

You can't know that. You can assume it, but that assumption does not make it true..............or false. It's simply a belief. I've played other RPGs with a lot of people over the years. D&D still remained our favorite. Not that we didn't like the others, but they were 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. favorite. Not D&D/