Be aware and take care

[Joshua Randall]

That article kind of epitomizes the antagonistic mentality that used to be part of D&D. When the DM was out to get you, you were often best served by playing in the extremely cautious, paranoid manner advocated by "Be Aware, Take Care".

Today's game, at least according to its designers, is meant to be more cooperative and free-wheeling. The PCs are expected to focus on heroic deeds, not to set ambushes for anyone potentially sneaking up on them, or to travel across random stretches of desert so they can see the tracks being made by the invisible stalker that's following them.

Now, some parts of "Be Aware, Take Care" are still relevant, like the advice about concentration of fire -- probably more relevant than ever in 4e, due to the larger pool of hit points that non-minion monsters have -- and the advice about coordination among the group to avoid mishaps. But the ultra cautious, paranoid advice? Outdated, I think.

 

[Luce]

Yes, and No.

The article is representative of particular style of play. Not everybody likes to play in the same way. And everyone is right for himself.
Some groups liek to use cold steel and eldrich magic to cut through their foes. Others prefer to use their briliant wits to control their foes and lead them to their doom. The only wrong way is when the people around the table are not having fun, other then that go for it. As always take what you like and make it part of your game.

To me the DM is both your enemy and your friend. He runs the enemies, allays and everybody the players do not. It is his goals to make the game challenging and interesting, but is not out to get you. With the power he has [in game] is would be very easy to TPK, but if he does that he will be out of a game.

One does not need the advice in that article to run a good game. I just wanted to start a discusion about as it represents [to me] a reminder to give creative and unusual aproaches a try from time to time. The medusa trick is not meant to replace a fear spell, just an example of immersive RP. It might or might not work as deemed by the DM. Though if it was me I allow it for the sheer audacity, at least the first few times.
The list of default actions are supposed to speed up play to some extend, just as some spellcasters have default prepared list in different situations(while in the city, while traveling by sea) thus when sudden events happen (like a summoning getting loose in the market) the party can jump right in instead of waiting half hour for spellcasters do their thing. The idea say it once and that is it (you can always change it latter, between sessions). This way long discusions before (or during) the adventure can be avoided.
To some DM if you did not state you post a rear guard(or night watch) you are fair game when the orks come a-calling.
"Of coarse, we had somebody watching thr rear! How stupid do you thing we are?"
"Well, you did not think to mention it before the attack came."

Now the term "today's game" can be a bit misleading. Not everyone is running the same edition or even system. The article was published during a particular time period, but the ideas within are not so specific as not to be aplicable for number of different games.

As for the heroic deeds- it all depends which heroes you prefer. I like to think Batman, not Superman. You are better then most, but still should watch your back. You do not have to take safety precausions, just your chances are better if you do.

In fact here is part of song I like to spring in play on new (or overeager) players the first time they visit an inn. It reflects the reality from the charecters' point of view.
Advice to Would-Be-Heroes (By Mercedes Lackey)

"So want you go earning your keep with your sword
And you think it cannot be too hard –
And you dream becoming a hero or lord
With your praises sung out by some bard .
Well now, let me then venture to give you advice
And when all of my lecture is done
We will see if my words have not made you think twice
About whether adventuring is “fun!”

Now before you seek shelter or food for yourself
Go seek first for those things for your beast
For he is worth far more than praises or pelf
Though a fool things to value him least .
It you’ve ever a moment at leisure to spare
Than devote it, as if to your god,
To his grooming, and practice, and weapons-repair
And seeing you both are well-stod .

Eat you lightly and sparingly – never full-fed –
For a full belly founders you mind .
Ah, but sleep when you can - it is better then bread -
For on night-watch no rest you will find .
Do not boast up your skill, for there is always one more
Who would prove he is better then you .
Treat swordladies like sisters, and not like some whore
Or your wenching days, child, will be few .


..."

When you start out you are not a hero. You have the potensial to one day become one. Until then you should be careful. After, even more so. For then the adventure might come to seek you instead of the other way around.

Sorry, getting off topic here. Please comment on the article or give your examples how your group is staying aware and taking care.

 

[Joshua Randall]

I think you nailed it when you said, "The only wrong way [to play] is when the people around the table are not having fun."

For some groups, it would not be fun to spend a lot of time discussing the details of who's on watch each night, what the schedule is, what signal to give if you're on watch and you see something, how spread out the party is while sleeping (don't want everyone to get fireballed, you know), where the mounts are tethered, whether the mounts will panic when fighting starts, etc. etc. etc.

For some groups, that level of minutia is a painful distraction from the "good parts" of the game, like killing things and taking their stuff. (Or more seriously, like delving into ancient dungeons to confront the evil that lurks within, and (one hopes) emerge triumphant and laden down with treasure.)

For other groups, that level of minutia might be the good part!

So if you're in the latter type of group, then the type of advice in "Be Aware, Take Care" is going to be more useful to you than if you're in the former type of group. That's all I am saying.