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Message: <blockquote data-quote="mouselim" data-source="post: 6400985" data-attributes="member: 6687986">Essentially, I agree that RP definitely doesn't equate balancing the game. In fact, I felt that the designers need to balance the game stems from the need to play the game as a...game (computer, console, MMO, board gaming, etc other than pen-and-paper RP) without the RP.That's why I'm sad that 4e when into that direction. When I was blasting 4e five years ago, I took a lot (and I meant a lot) of heat and hate...guess what happened five years later? Yet, it is happening again in 5e (to a lesser degree). Again, the designers try to balance, try to give better resources (healing system like Diablo?!) and better hits (even a goblin has a +4 hit?!) and limitless cantrip spells at-will that increases in power with levels?! Sad...they never learn and again, I'm taking heat and hate from my honest viewpoints again. Folks are saying there aren't that much noise in 5e as before but guess what? It's because most who left during 4e episode  haven't return or didn't bother to venture into D&D again.However, to Mr Wicks, game rules are there for a reason too. A rule that doesn't contribute to RP doesn't mean that it is not required. It's not about balancing or nitpicking on details but it is to create a structure.Take a classic example of weapon speed.Riddick takes a cup to attack an opponent wielding a massive axe. Well, firstly he doesn't have a weapon on hand. Secondly, he is a very skilled warrior (assume he has a +10 to hit with a strength bonus of +3) but he doesn't have a proper weapon on hand. Thirdly, he knows that he will not survive one hit from that axe and he needs speed to critically take down his opponent.The player turns to his DM and said, "Ok, what's the weapon speed of the cup?"DM replied, "Well, I'll give it a one."Both DM and player rolls initiative and gets the same result after Dexterity modifiers.Player smiled happily. "Great! Good choice that Riddick uses the cup and the weapon speed makes the difference. Riddick has two attacks per round. I'm going to smash the cup on his face, targeting his eye so that I partially blind him. What's my to-hit?"DM thought for a moment before replying. "Ok, interesting situation. Since Riddick is trying to target a specific part of the body and a small target at that, I'll take the rules penalty to attack a tiny creature. Riddick will suffer a -4 to hit." -- I cannot remember what's the penalty but let's assume it.Player is excited and replied, "Cool. I'll roll with a +8 bonus after taking into consideration the penalty."Player rolls and scores a hit."Aha!" The player proclaims excitedly. "What's the expected damage from the cup? Did the cup cuts his eye? Is he blinded in one eye?"The DM holds up his hand to stall the onslaught of questions."Hold, wait a minute. Ok, cup will deal 1d2 damage with strength bonus. Yes, the giant's eye is cut but he is not blinded but since blood is oozing from his wound, he is partially impaired in his vision till he clears it."Player takes a D4 and rolls and gets a 2. Adding his strength, he deals 5 damage to the giant."Ok, for the second attack, Riddick will hold on to one of the piece and attempt to slash the shrapnel across the giant's throat, hopefully killing it."DM mused and replied. "Ok, that sharp piece from the ceramic cup will be like a dagger. It will deal 1D4 damage. Apply the same penalty since Riddick is targeting a specific area of the giant's body. I'll add an additional +3 damage if Riddick hits."The player rolls and scores a hit. He rolls on the D4 and scores a 4 for a total of 10 damage, slaying the giant even before the giant can react. In essence, the rules frame the structure, it doesn't defeat role-playing. However, if the rules are used different to create a different experience of play, then it takes role-playing out or diminishes it as players are veered towards playing the game differently.</blockquote>

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