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Cedric: personally, I am on the opinion that high variance in ability scores is a lot more fun than uniformity. I would rather play a character who has glaring flaws and great strengths than one who is average in all respect. That’s why I like to roll my 4d6 in order (although as in my initial...

ranger89: I disagree with your post. I can easily imagine a “roleplayer” type who dislikes random stats because he wants to play a specific character with specific strengths and weaknesses - likewise, it is possible for a powergamer to obsess less about raw stats and instead focuses on using...

Firelance: that’s certainly an interesting analogy to think about. Unfortunately, I am firmly in the disposable PCs camp... it is a very important cornerstone of the philosophy with which I approach roleplaying. Nellisir & arscott: how rules affect NPCs is much less significant an issue than...

If you really wish to blow their minds, mention rolling ability scores in order. After their jaws have dropped, concede that „okay, okay, you can roll two series”. :) Seriously, this is just another outward sign of the whole „ PCs are significant and precious by virtue of being a PC” school of...

It is definitely not boring, though, when you do and your character goes splat. And I say this seriously. When did casual and semi-random death become unfun? I sure enjoy it - even when I am playing 3e! :)

Dungeons exist for players to have fun with. The excavated material, I assume, is eaten by grues in the employ of the generations of wizards and insane geniuses. ;)

Just for the record - it is spelled shenanigans. :)

Strictly speaking: the huge ruined pile T. Foster is writing about -- an immense labyrinth that could encompass a whole campaign. By my definition: an enclosed game environment designed primarily with an eye towards challenging the players, built on a combination of surrealism and game logic...

In my opinion, they are accurate in that there is a revival of interest in old school games or game material, and the publication of such. A few reasons which probably play into it: 1) d20 and the OGL as a publishing vehicle. 2) 3e's role in galvanizing older gamers to check out D&D or simply...

BTW, two addenda: 1) I don't consider the trap unfair, but I consider it uninspired. 2) if I see a lever in a dungeon, I leave it the hell alone unless I can manipulate it from a safe distance or I am fleeing from monsters. Or when I am not terribly attached to the character, heh.

Not only is it fair, it is what paladins do. They die for their ideals so others don't have to. They sacrifice life and wealth so others may live. Unless our concept of the paladin is "just like a fighter, but with neat save bonuses and the ability to summon a magical horsey", it is perfectly in...

In that case, it is also in character for the monk to die a horrible death. That can be pretty fun too, and makes for a good war story later on. On the other hand, characters are in the end extensions of the players - after a while, the same players should catch on and create characters who can...

The claimant attitude does it. It is as if I "owe" it to the player so his character gets there. I am not willing to make such guarantees.

You do - it is a fascinating bit of game history.

Plane Sailing: coincidentally, you just answered my query. :D Thanks!

This thread reminds me: am I the only one who thinks that THAC0 was a decent idea that didn’t live up to its potential because of a shoddily written formula? Let us consider the quotes supplied by Morrus and T. Foster: Both descriptions tell you what to roll to hit AC 0; to hit other numbers...

I would accept this argument if we were talking about a generic killer dungeon, However, it is called The Tomb of Horrors. As a player character, what'd you expect based on that name? That said, I sort of agree: in "canonical" old D&D, the player character was simply a vehicle for the player to...

Compulsively participating in an activity you no longer find enjoyable is a sad phenomenon and a veritable breeding ground for frustration and stress. My condolences, sure; but why not move on? When I realised I no longer enjoyed gaming, I left for a few years. If it weren't for Palladium...

Based on the illustration in the OD&D booklets, they do. They have beards.

And another: building a wall of checks and balances to "prevent bad DMing" never works out in the end.