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<blockquote data-quote="Mercule" data-source="post: 4028087" data-attributes="member: 5100">It indicates a level of complexity that's hard to manage.&nbsp; The tables are fine for henchmen, guardsmen, etc. but they don't address key NPCs (like my command group) very well.&nbsp; Nor do they handle thematic concerns like the fighter who is part of a culture that favors psionics to arcane magic.They did.&nbsp; Every splatbook has tables of feats and tables of spells.&nbsp; Those help somewhat, but not nearly enough.Bull.&nbsp; I'm a simulationist/narrativist.&nbsp; I don't care about challenge except as it makes sense in the world and serves the story.&nbsp; But that simulationist drives me to make NPCs who reflect their cultures, rather than &quot;shopping off the shelf&quot;.Even then, the complexities can unforeseen vagaries.&nbsp; If the BBEG drops like a stone because I forgot one little trick, that is a challenge to both verisimilitude and rather anticlimactic.If you're implying that 3E is a heavily gamist system, I'd agree.&nbsp; That creates some serious issues for those of use who don't tend to think in gamist terms.&nbsp; We still have to spend the thought on the game mechanics to serve our needs, but that isn't the reason we play.&nbsp; Because we're essentially swimming against the current of our own psyches, prep time becomes both more time consuming and less fun.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Mercule, post: 4028087, member: 5100"] It indicates a level of complexity that's hard to manage. The tables are fine for henchmen, guardsmen, etc. but they don't address key NPCs (like my command group) very well. Nor do they handle thematic concerns like the fighter who is part of a culture that favors psionics to arcane magic. They did. Every splatbook has tables of feats and tables of spells. Those help somewhat, but not nearly enough. Bull. I'm a simulationist/narrativist. I don't care about challenge except as it makes sense in the world and serves the story. But that simulationist drives me to make NPCs who reflect their cultures, rather than "shopping off the shelf". Even then, the complexities can unforeseen vagaries. If the BBEG drops like a stone because I forgot one little trick, that is a challenge to both verisimilitude and rather anticlimactic. If you're implying that 3E is a heavily gamist system, I'd agree. That creates some serious issues for those of use who don't tend to think in gamist terms. We still have to spend the thought on the game mechanics to serve our needs, but that isn't the reason we play. Because we're essentially swimming against the current of our own psyches, prep time becomes both more time consuming and less fun. [/QUOTE]

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