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<blockquote data-quote="pemerton" data-source="post: 6995363" data-attributes="member: 42582">Given that I've been quoted in this act of necromancy:I am struggling with the two-dimensional attitudes some posters have towards other posters. And with their apparent lack of familiarity with the range of ways in which D&amp;D (and similar RPGs) are played.I would not play Rufus in a heartbeat in AD&amp;D, as in that game I would be very hostage to the GM in having any significant capacity to impact the fiction.I don't see how this is an instance of brilliant roleplaying to be contrasted with &quot;powergaming&quot;. Or alternatively - if that counts as &quot;clever but non-powergaming play&quot; than the benchmark for cleverness is being set fairly low, and I don't really understand how the benchmark for powergaming is being set at all.I mean, Rufus could wear plate armour rather than leather armour and be less ineffective in combat, but that would not strike me as particularly amazing play.More generally - yes, if the system allows success without needing to rely on stats, than low stats won't be a big issue. But something else will be. I mean, what happens if the guy with the low CHA decides to eschew treasure too - so instead of rewarding the henchmen he gives all his treasure to charity, or - even more extreme - throws it into the sea? Would the other party members still not complain about his contribution?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="pemerton, post: 6995363, member: 42582"] Given that I've been quoted in this act of necromancy: I am struggling with the two-dimensional attitudes some posters have towards other posters. And with their apparent lack of familiarity with the range of ways in which D&D (and similar RPGs) are played. I would not play Rufus in a heartbeat in AD&D, as in that game I would be very hostage to the GM in having any significant capacity to impact the fiction. I don't see how this is an instance of brilliant roleplaying to be contrasted with "powergaming". Or alternatively - if that counts as "clever but non-powergaming play" than the benchmark for cleverness is being set fairly low, and I don't really understand how the benchmark for powergaming is being set at all. I mean, Rufus could wear plate armour rather than leather armour and be less ineffective in combat, but that would not strike me as particularly amazing play. More generally - yes, if the system allows success without needing to rely on stats, than low stats won't be a big issue. But something else will be. I mean, what happens if the guy with the low CHA decides to eschew treasure too - so instead of rewarding the henchmen he gives all his treasure to charity, or - even more extreme - throws it into the sea? Would the other party members still not complain about his contribution? [/QUOTE]

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