DM-less D&D

[Kishin]

I too see no reason these two things can't exist side by side. The core D&D experience, avec DM and all accoutrements, is what I vastly prefer and would rather play nine times out of ten, and is also what I believe most people will continue to see as "D&D" even with something like Dungeon Tiles available.

Sometimes though, the occasion arises where everyone in the group, DM included, really just wants to kill things and take their stuff.

 

[mhensley]

Here's what the Dungeon Tiles look like-

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/ask

 

[Rothe]

<shudders>

I agree.
Without a DM give me a CRPG or boardgame. To me the attraction of a pen&paper RPG is the DM.

A human DM allows players to think up wacky stuff and think outside the box, unlike a CRPG or boardgame which only has rules and allows for certain actions and a DM can take into account secret information the players don't have. These aspects cover a large portion of the fun for RPGs for me, acting on imperfect information and being able to consider all the possibilities in devising plans to overcome challenges. Finallly, a DM can provide roleplaying, interaction with the NPCs and setting that doesn't devolve on a limited menu of questions and options.

 

[Blustar]

I don't think that anyone is suggesting that the optimum way to play D&D is sans DM. But an automated, simple system like Warhammer Quest used would be a nice alternative for those nights when nobody is prepared to DM, when you only have an hour or so to play, or when you need a simple game to play with the kids.

Actually I'm surprised that the Dungeon Tiles set contains any rules at all.

What rules does it contain? Random generation? ARe you sure? ( meaning have you seen the actual rules) Sounds cool for my solo nights when I can't get a group together.

Blue

 

[DeadlyUematsu]

The Solo Dungeon Rules in the Dragon Compendium remind me of the ones in the 1E DMG. Hmm, I really want to test them out some time.

 

[mhensley]

What rules does it contain? Random generation? ARe you sure? ( meaning have you seen the actual rules)

I'm made this assumption based on what James Wyatt said-

...played a random dungeon using our new Dungeon Tiles. I like the DMless random dungeon format...

It sounds to me like it comes with rules.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Here's what the Dungeon Tiles look like-

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/ask

-Is that it? I know you can't see much on this picture but to me it looks like the boys at Rackham is doing a better job with dungeon tiles than Wizards. Judge for yourself.

http://www.rackham-store.com/boutique_us/images_produits/CDGT-D_1.jpg

 

[mhensley]

Those look pretty nice. Is the scale the same?

 

[Kanegrundar]

Heh. I've been using my Warhammer Quest tiles to run random D&D dungeons for a long time now. (Although I've been simplifying the rules a lot to make it easiser to run a DM-less dungeon, Dungeon Bash has helped that issue out quite a bit.) It's fun to use when you can't find a game and have a serious D&D jones or need to playtest something. It doesn't take the place of a DM'ed game, but it's fun nonetheless. If WotC put out a Warhammer Quest-style D&D game out, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

They did long ago. D&D The Boardgame.