The Shaman
First Post
...or, what am I getting into?
So I decided to join a PbP game on another website.
GM says he's experienced but new to the game system. No problem, I think, everyone has to start somewhere.
Asks for second-level characters, 32-point buy. A bit powerful, I think, but not unreasonably so. I develop a character who looks like fun to run, a class combo I haven't tried before, interesting (to me at least) backstory - got my roleplaying game-face ready.
Announces he will be running a DMPC in the game. I don't have any real issue with that, I think, as long as the character is played well.
Gives each character armor proficiency as a free bonus feat. Hmm, I think, not something I like to do as a GM, but it's just one feat. Shouldn't be too unbalanced.
Tells the players that he will assign equipment based on our roles in the unit. No problem, I think, I do the same thing in military-style campaigns.
Assigns my tech-skill-heavy character a tool kit with a +2 to all Craft skill checks. Well, I think, that's a big departure from the RAW, one that is both way overpowered in one area (Craft skill checks) and thoroughly nerfing in another (Disable Device and Repair checks). I ask for clarification, mention that this is a departure from the RAW, explain why it's an issue, offer a suggetion. No, the tool kit stands. Oooooookaaaaaay, I think, I'll make an adjustment, but now I have to exchange one useful piece of equipment for a less useful piece of equipment because the tool kit doesn't work the way I need it to with my character - now I'm doubly-nerfed. Still, it's the GM's call, and I have to respect that - I'll use it as roleplay material ("Friggin' bastidges at HQ got their heads up their poop-chutes, eh?").
Next gives each character two more hand-picked feats gratis. Erm, I think, three free bonus feats for second-level characters - that's pretty generous. There's a buzzing somewhere in the back of my head, soft but insistent.
Doesn't answer a couple of other questions - extra magazines? additional equipment reqs? Perhaps the GM's just a bit overwhelmed, I think, but that buzzing is getting louder now.
Tells another poster that in addition to our helmets with integral comm. units and GPS receivers, all of the characters know a secret sign language. Now I can't even think over the sound of the buzzing...
*sigh*
I know going in to someone else's game that every GM has a different style, and as a player I need to be flexible - comes with the territory. From the GM's initial description I expected a sort of beer-and-pretzels feel to this game.
So why am I so troubled by this?
Something tells me that when a GM is making up three new rules on the fly before we've even finished character generation that something isn't right. For example, if a GM wants the adventurers to have a broader selection of feats and abilities, my philosophy is to start the characters at a higher level, not hand them free feats at lower levels, particularly feats in which the players have no voice in selecting - adding bonus feats but not increasing BAB, saves, and hit points is like the NBA All-Star game: all offense and no defense.
The tool kit thing irks me, too - the kit the GM is offering is actually better than the RAW with respect to Crafting items, but fails to take into account the related skills of Disable Device and Repair, both of which tend to see more use during an adventure. Again, it's overcompensating in one direction without regard for consequences elsewhere.
Now I find myself questioning my own approach to the game. Have I turned into a rules-lawyer, straight-jacketed by the written word? Or am I simply looking for some consistency, some logical order so that I can make informed decisions about my character and "how the world works?"
Have I become so inflexible that I can't adapt to another GMs style and authority over the game-world? Or do I have legitimate concerns about what I perceive as the GM's seat-of-the-pants approach?
I'm truly troubled by this.
I'm not sure if I should continue in the game: I really like my character, but I'm very concerned that I will find the game frustrating. I'm also disconcerted by what I see in myself as a player.
Your thoughts?
So I decided to join a PbP game on another website.
GM says he's experienced but new to the game system. No problem, I think, everyone has to start somewhere.
Asks for second-level characters, 32-point buy. A bit powerful, I think, but not unreasonably so. I develop a character who looks like fun to run, a class combo I haven't tried before, interesting (to me at least) backstory - got my roleplaying game-face ready.
Announces he will be running a DMPC in the game. I don't have any real issue with that, I think, as long as the character is played well.
Gives each character armor proficiency as a free bonus feat. Hmm, I think, not something I like to do as a GM, but it's just one feat. Shouldn't be too unbalanced.
Tells the players that he will assign equipment based on our roles in the unit. No problem, I think, I do the same thing in military-style campaigns.
Assigns my tech-skill-heavy character a tool kit with a +2 to all Craft skill checks. Well, I think, that's a big departure from the RAW, one that is both way overpowered in one area (Craft skill checks) and thoroughly nerfing in another (Disable Device and Repair checks). I ask for clarification, mention that this is a departure from the RAW, explain why it's an issue, offer a suggetion. No, the tool kit stands. Oooooookaaaaaay, I think, I'll make an adjustment, but now I have to exchange one useful piece of equipment for a less useful piece of equipment because the tool kit doesn't work the way I need it to with my character - now I'm doubly-nerfed. Still, it's the GM's call, and I have to respect that - I'll use it as roleplay material ("Friggin' bastidges at HQ got their heads up their poop-chutes, eh?").
Next gives each character two more hand-picked feats gratis. Erm, I think, three free bonus feats for second-level characters - that's pretty generous. There's a buzzing somewhere in the back of my head, soft but insistent.
Doesn't answer a couple of other questions - extra magazines? additional equipment reqs? Perhaps the GM's just a bit overwhelmed, I think, but that buzzing is getting louder now.
Tells another poster that in addition to our helmets with integral comm. units and GPS receivers, all of the characters know a secret sign language. Now I can't even think over the sound of the buzzing...
*sigh*
I know going in to someone else's game that every GM has a different style, and as a player I need to be flexible - comes with the territory. From the GM's initial description I expected a sort of beer-and-pretzels feel to this game.
So why am I so troubled by this?
Something tells me that when a GM is making up three new rules on the fly before we've even finished character generation that something isn't right. For example, if a GM wants the adventurers to have a broader selection of feats and abilities, my philosophy is to start the characters at a higher level, not hand them free feats at lower levels, particularly feats in which the players have no voice in selecting - adding bonus feats but not increasing BAB, saves, and hit points is like the NBA All-Star game: all offense and no defense.
The tool kit thing irks me, too - the kit the GM is offering is actually better than the RAW with respect to Crafting items, but fails to take into account the related skills of Disable Device and Repair, both of which tend to see more use during an adventure. Again, it's overcompensating in one direction without regard for consequences elsewhere.
Now I find myself questioning my own approach to the game. Have I turned into a rules-lawyer, straight-jacketed by the written word? Or am I simply looking for some consistency, some logical order so that I can make informed decisions about my character and "how the world works?"
Have I become so inflexible that I can't adapt to another GMs style and authority over the game-world? Or do I have legitimate concerns about what I perceive as the GM's seat-of-the-pants approach?
I'm truly troubled by this.
I'm not sure if I should continue in the game: I really like my character, but I'm very concerned that I will find the game frustrating. I'm also disconcerted by what I see in myself as a player.
Your thoughts?
