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General Tabletop Discussion
D&D Older Editions
4E is too video-gamey
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<blockquote data-quote="Simonides" data-source="post: 4108947" data-attributes="member: 61037"><p>Hrmmm... this puts me in a difficult position. On the one hand, I personally agree that turning more video-gamey is not a terrible thing to happen to D&D (whether I agree that that is what is happening is another topic). On the other hand, I am forced to disagree with the OP's tactics.</p><p></p><p>I really like the maedar fight as outlined. It is clear from early on what the maedar is doing and the party has several actions to interrupt it. But the plant thing, and even the maedar to a lesser extent, are problematic in my mind: they do not adapt.</p><p></p><p>The idea of an enemy with a set script works in video games, but, once you figure out the pattern, the game becomes much easier. This is a bad thing, in my opinion, at the game table. In order to challenge the players, enemies should change up their tactics when it becomes clear their patterns have been figured out. If the creature doesn't, there should be some special reason (modrons may be incapable of changing their tactics, for instance). One of the best aspects of tabletop gaming is that it is open-ended - that the game learns from and reacts to the players. That adds a level challenge that can't be found in video game. The players have to constantly adapt because the game is constantly adapting to them. </p><p></p><p>If a battle is too scripted, it becomes kind of useless to play it out once the players have figured out the script. The question of 'victory' or 'defeat' has been resolved at this point, so now it just becomes 'lather, rinse, repeat.' It is similar to those battles in which all of the undead are turned and are now cowering in the corner. Does the DM make each player roll attacks and damage round after round to kill all of the undead or does he simply say, at that point, 'you spread out and destroy the cowering undead' ? </p><p></p><p>Video games are an excellent source of inspiration, in my opinion, but that is all they should be. My players are coming to my table instead of playing video games precisely because I don't behave like a computer. So, with respect to the OP, I have to say I dislike your idea of scripting for NPCs.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Simonides, post: 4108947, member: 61037"] Hrmmm... this puts me in a difficult position. On the one hand, I personally agree that turning more video-gamey is not a terrible thing to happen to D&D (whether I agree that that is what is happening is another topic). On the other hand, I am forced to disagree with the OP's tactics. I really like the maedar fight as outlined. It is clear from early on what the maedar is doing and the party has several actions to interrupt it. But the plant thing, and even the maedar to a lesser extent, are problematic in my mind: they do not adapt. The idea of an enemy with a set script works in video games, but, once you figure out the pattern, the game becomes much easier. This is a bad thing, in my opinion, at the game table. In order to challenge the players, enemies should change up their tactics when it becomes clear their patterns have been figured out. If the creature doesn't, there should be some special reason (modrons may be incapable of changing their tactics, for instance). One of the best aspects of tabletop gaming is that it is open-ended - that the game learns from and reacts to the players. That adds a level challenge that can't be found in video game. The players have to constantly adapt because the game is constantly adapting to them. If a battle is too scripted, it becomes kind of useless to play it out once the players have figured out the script. The question of 'victory' or 'defeat' has been resolved at this point, so now it just becomes 'lather, rinse, repeat.' It is similar to those battles in which all of the undead are turned and are now cowering in the corner. Does the DM make each player roll attacks and damage round after round to kill all of the undead or does he simply say, at that point, 'you spread out and destroy the cowering undead' ? Video games are an excellent source of inspiration, in my opinion, but that is all they should be. My players are coming to my table instead of playing video games precisely because I don't behave like a computer. So, with respect to the OP, I have to say I dislike your idea of scripting for NPCs. [/QUOTE]
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