Any of you suffering from Monty Haul Syndrome

[shilsen]

He might have something behind his sleeve I do not know. I think though this is a bit overkill, especially 3 campaigns in a row. I mean our levels and abilities do not matter anymore, our equipment is doing everything for us.

Have you spoken to him about your concerns? And if not, then why not?

 

[yipwyg42]

Haven't had the chance to ask him yet. We played unknowingly until 4am in the morning, had to go to work 8 hours later.

I was wondering though. With all the talk about ability scores maybe to high and using point by and what not.

What would the difference really be having standard stats with +6 to +8 to ability items as a begining levels, than say just having really high stats.

If I did a campaign at a 52 point buy, or having stats averaging 16-22, would this be ok.

Nobody seems to have a problem with a 1st to 3rd level character with a +8 stat item or a sword that has +10 to +12 in level equivalence, so why not have characters start with most of their ability scores higher than 18.

I think it would be easier to deal with both as a player and a DM, say having a 3rd level fighter with the following

Strength 24
Constitution 18
Dex 16
with around 32 hit points
using a greatsword doing 2d6 + 7 damage
and has Medium Armor

than one with 14 strength and 14 Con
using a +5 keen, holy, Flaming Burst, Outsider Bane, Greatsword doing 2d6 +7 damage + all the other damage you have to roll.
using +1 full plate

 

[Rystil Arden]

Nobody seems to have a problem with a 1st to 3rd level character with a +8 stat item or a sword that has +10 to +12 in level equivalence

Actually, I do consider it problematic, but if everyone is having fun, you can ignore that problem. It throws the entire game balance off the rocker. A good GM can deal with these issues if she is very prepared, but this doesn't sound like that at all.

 

[Treebore]

Haven't had the chance to ask him yet. We played unknowingly until 4am in the morning, had to go to work 8 hours later.

I was wondering though. With all the talk about ability scores maybe to high and using point by and what not.

What would the difference really be having standard stats with +6 to +8 to ability items as a begining levels, than say just having really high stats.

If I did a campaign at a 52 point buy, or having stats averaging 16-22, would this be ok.

Nobody seems to have a problem with a 1st to 3rd level character with a +8 stat item or a sword that has +10 to +12 in level equivalence, so why not have characters start with most of their ability scores higher than 18.

I think it would be easier to deal with both as a player and a DM, say having a 3rd level fighter with the following

Strength 24
Constitution 18
Dex 16
with around 32 hit points
using a greatsword doing 2d6 + 7 damage
and has Medium Armor

than one with 14 strength and 14 Con
using a +5 keen, holy, Flaming Burst, Outsider Bane, Greatsword doing 2d6 +7 damage + all the other damage you have to roll.
using +1 full plate

I certainly wasn't trying to say I had no problem with it. I wouldn't give +4 weapons until at least 9th level. I was just saying talk to your DM and see if he has some kind of real reason for doing what he is doing.

 

[painandgreed]

Any others have expeirencing the effect of A Monty Haul campaign.

Haven't been in an honest Monty haul campaign for a long time. Probably since high school.

In a game I was in two years ago, the DM did give out special weapons to everybody. They all had special powers which would shut down any enemy pretty quickly. For example, my pixie got 40 "demon quill arrows" that would cause various effect upon a creature depending on type and alignment, but usually make them explode or something (after much description of the effects by the DM). While I didn't use them every combat, I did have 40 'Get out of Jail free" arrows anytime the combat actually worried us. Others in the party had similar weapons like silver daggers that would kill any demon or devil they hit (a much limited number of those compared to my arrows but the campaign was about hunting down and killing demons). I was sort of disappointed with the game till I realized she was making combat a non-issue without removing it so she could concentrate on the role play and story.

Of course, from an old enworld thread, I'm still considering the plot of having low level characters find a treasure of 1 million silver pieces. Then seeing what they do with a treasure of 20,000 pounds of silver and if they can get away with it without having it be taxed or stolen.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I think it would be easier to deal with both as a player and a DM, say having a 3rd level fighter with the following

Strength 24
Constitution 18
Dex 16
with around 32 hit points
using a greatsword doing 2d6 + 7 damage
and has Medium Armor

than one with 14 strength and 14 Con
using a +5 keen, holy, Flaming Burst, Outsider Bane, Greatsword doing 2d6 +7 damage + all the other damage you have to roll.
using +1 full plate

It's not any easier, just different.

Look, obviously you're not happy with the way things are being run. It sounds like you don't feel properly challenged (everything is too easy). Is this true? Are you not really fearing for your character's survival in encounters?

Because if that's the case than I think you can solve that problem just by talking to him.

If your problem is more that the style is just getting old for you so you're not enjoying it as much, then, yeah, maybe you taking the helm could be the only way to get that feel...doesn't sound like anyone else at the table has a problem with the way things are now, from your account.

 

[yipwyg42]

It's not any easier, just different.

Look, obviously you're not happy with the way things are being run. It sounds like you don't feel properly challenged (everything is too easy). Is this true? Are you not really fearing for your character's survival in encounters?

Pretty much nailed it. I have zero fear for anything equal to us, even a couple levels higher. Last campaign we at 7th level were thrashing undead in the CR 15 range in 1 to 2 rounds.

The more I'm looking at various d20 modifications the closest I have seen to what I would like is Conan. Not necessarily using the actual ruleset itself, though when 2nd edition comes I'll get it, but modifying d20 along those lines.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Sounds like you should just ask the DM why he is doing things the way they are. He may be experimenting with power levels, etc... to see something for himself. Maybe it didn't occur to him to tell you guys what he is up to.

Or maybe he's just cr-p?

 

[robberbaron]

My 2p worth: Sounds like your DMs have been giving out handfuls of gear to everyone because he thinks it is what makes you happy. I'm sure they have been right, in the short-term but, taken in the longer term, the lack of level-appropriate challenges and ramping up of enemy power will lead to either boredom or a TPK, if not both.

My advice: DM yourself and try to keep to the DMG guidelines for wealth, then see how everyone reacts. If they like it, you have your blueprint for future games. If they moan about how weak they are,how stingy you are then you know they are all so materialistic that they need shiny things to motivate them.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Pretty much nailed it. I have zero fear for anything equal to us, even a couple levels higher. Last campaign we at 7th level were thrashing undead in the CR 15 range in 1 to 2 rounds.

The more I'm looking at various d20 modifications the closest I have seen to what I would like is Conan. Not necessarily using the actual ruleset itself, though when 2nd edition comes I'll get it, but modifying d20 along those lines.

Hm...perhaps he needs to be throwing CR 20 stuff at you.

But, yeah, it sounds just like a style conflict. Get Conan and say you'd like to run it and show your group a different way to have fun than phat lewt and horrible monsters.