Are you playing D&D if there are no dice?

Mallus · Mar 9, 2007

Ozmar said:
Heck, its not even gaming, IMB.

Out of curiosity, how do you define 'gaming', and what are it's defining characteristics?

Thaniel · Mar 9, 2007

Mallus said:
Out of curiosity, how do you define 'gaming', and what are it's defining characteristics?

Gaming is what he is doing and others are not.

The Levitator · Mar 9, 2007

Ozmar said:
No. I don't know what you're doing, but its not D&D.

Heck, its not even gaming, IMB.

-Ozmar the Dice-Lover

It totally confuses me how people think that throwing little pieces of plastic around should be the focus and definition of "gaming". To each their own I guess, but I don't think it's fair to make blanket judgements about people based on "your" definition of D&D. It comes off a bit thick, no offense. People who can't see the parallel of gaming with dice and random number generators frankly make me a bit nervous.

Mallus · Mar 9, 2007

Thaniel said:
Gaming is what he is doing and others are not.

But what's he doing, exactly, besides rolling a lot of funny-sided dice?

Crothian · Mar 9, 2007

Ozmar said:
No. I don't know what you're doing, but its not D&D.

Heck, its not even gaming, IMB.

-Ozmar the Dice-Lover

It is D&D if that's what we call it!! :lol:

Presto2112 · Mar 9, 2007

It might not be fair, but I will share the first thing that came into my mind when I read the thread header.

"No you aren't playing D&D if there's no dice. That's just pretending, and it's a little creepy."

Crothian · Mar 9, 2007

Presto2112 said:
"No you aren't playing D&D if there's no dice. That's just pretending, and it's a little creepy."

I love it when gamers call other types of gaming creepy!! That's always funny. :lol:

The Levitator · Mar 9, 2007

Presto2112 said:
It might not be fair, but I will share the first thing that came into my mind when I read the thread header.

"No you aren't playing D&D if there's no dice. That's just pretending, and it's a little creepy."

As with many threads, it is many times a case of "don't judge a book by it's cover." While the thread header may have confused some, I think the OP did a pretty good job explaining himself as to the focus of this thread. And yet, people still don't understand that we aren't talking about playing without a randomization mechanic in place to determine the results of actions. Using dice is no more "gamey" than using a random number generator on a computer. I don't really believe that people actually think there is a difference between the two. I guess some people just find any reason they can to belittle others in an attempt to make themselves feel superior in their preferences.

So, for clarity, just one more time, to eliminate any confusion; the question is in regards to people who use random number generators instead of dice and whether players in those groups still feel like they are playing the game. The answer, from my group, is absolutely. My players play in other groups that throw little pieces of plastic around and they are certain their DM's are fudging rolls behind those screens. And they believe that when you fudge the dice, you are no longer playing the game, you are just storytelling. If you have a mechanic in place, and you ignore the mechanic in place to get the outcome you want, you aren't really playing a game anymore. If I need an 8 to land on Boardwalk, and I fudge my total of 6 and say it's 8 so that I can buy Boardwalk, am I still playing the game, or am I just making things up to get the outcome I want? I'm not arguing against fudging, just pointing out that fudging dice can be seen just as equally of "non-gamish D&D" as not using dice at all.

I'm sure there are group out there that care way more about how the numbers are generated than the decisions that are made based on those numbers and the roleplaying that results from those decisions. I'm just saying that isn't the case with our group.

Besides, playing D&D in ANY form is creepy to many people outside of the gaming world, sheesh! :lol: