Recent content by Maxperson

I think they are in the PHB because many, many, MANY players don't bother with starter sets. I jumped straight into AD&D 1e and skipped Basic entirely. And also because a lot of folks want to start at the beginning of something.

The 5.5e PHB recommends starting at level 3 if your group is experienced. Pg. 43. "STARTING AT HIGHER LEVELS Your DM might start your group's characters at a level higher than 1. It is particularly recommended to start at level 3 if your group is composed of seasoned D&D players."

I've been starting my players off at level 3 since the early 2000's. During 3e it was because my players and I didn't want PCs to start out as putzes who flailed around hoping they hit stuff with their low attack bonuses and few spells. During 5e it's because 3rd level is actually 1st level...

And vice versa. I'm not sure I'd want to play a game where I don't immerse myself in a character long term, but I could definitely have fun with a one shot or short campaign.

Because I don't know until the moment I make the decision which way it will go. There's virtually no difference between that and not knowing until the die stops rolling which way it will go. Other than not losing my agency and destroying my character.

Yep. I do very much feel the weight of the choices and discovery when I play my character the way my do. Which is why I have said, and I will say it again, it's critically important that the DM find players who have substantially similar outlooks on playing and vice versa.

Go with optimism. I never said or implied your pessimistic view there. All I am saying is that I can advocate for my character and make all the decisions, and still end up in wildly different places(with regard to his personal character) than I ever imagined when coming up with the character...

I also see it as just one way among others to play. It's just the one way among others that I very much prefer.

Not a bribe. For those who are learning or don't know how to play that way, it's an incentive. For folks like you and I, it's neither a bribe, nor an incentive. It's a reward for good roleplaying, just like XP and treasure for killing a monster are rewards for good combat decisions, as well...

I also give XP. Not out of fairness, which I think is the wrong term. It's not unfair to fail to give XP for people who play or don't play that way. I give it as a reward for good roleplaying, because that's what it is in my opinion. And it also works as an incentive for people who don't...

Yes, I know. I know several adults who are big into Lego. My point, though, is that it's hilarious that they stop at 99. What is it about 100 that makes someone unable to safely do Lego that someone who is 99 can reliably do? Why not just put 4+? Yes, and if you look at the stats above you...

This is not intended to be a slight on your style of play here, but I get the bolded portion without relinquishing control. I don't need to relinquish to experience that.

I've always loved the Lego target audience. Are you 100? No Lego for you!

It happens very rarely in games that I run, and is incredibly rare for me, but I have been known to do it. Sometimes the options are so incredibly close that I can't come to a decision on which way my PC would go. This probably happens once every 3-5 years of real time. When it does, I roll...