Do 3.Xe Characters Really Depend More on Equipment?

[hong]

Actually, this isn't such an issue as much as it is when combined with the manner in which 3E also has excellerated character advancement considerably. So while high level play has become more common, the dependancy on items has also become more predominant as a result.

... for a group that is high-level. If you are low-level, then there is no issue. In fact, for any particular level, the amount of magic items needed to balance spellcasters against non-spellcasters has remained about constant, or even been reduced in 3E. Comparing high-level to low-level play is rather nonsensical, since the only game that should be of concern to you is your own, and you have full control over which levels you play at and the rate of advancement. Unless, that is, you have a strange compulsion to stick your nose into other people's games.

Y'know, I read a lot that this was a problem in many groups. Odd that I've never encountered such issues.

Would this be before, or after, the ten years you spent in finding a group that shared your views?

Perhaps us ol' timers were just better at self-balancing a game system

By finding players who didn't care about balance. I am intrigued by your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

(indeed, I would suspect that we still are).

Indeed.

 

[Henry]

just a few corrections. a Fighting Man in OD&D (1974) did on avg 3.5 (the avg for a d6 is 3.5 ) + 1 (for the str) = 4.5 hp of damage....min of 2 and max of 7 hp.

Dammit, I've gotta play that game one day, because i keep confusing parts of it with Basic D&D!

I was using a Normal Sword in my example. (1d8 dmg), not that "everybody does 1d6 damage" thing.

 

[WizarDru]

Actually, this isn't such an issue as much as it is when combined with the manner in which 3E also has excellerated character advancement considerably. So while high level play has become more common, the dependancy on items has also become more predominant as a result.

In other words, it's always been there, as I said...it's just now that you actually have a chance to reach high-levels in a more reasonable time, it's become more noticable.

Y'know, I read a lot that this was a problem in many groups. Odd that I've never encountered such issues. Perhaps us ol' timers were just better at self-balancing a game system (indeed, I would suspect that we still are).

I don't think we are or were (at least not moreso than younger gamers)...I think we didn't advance as far in the system, as you yourself point out. If you're always playing 3rd level fighters, you're not going to notice the problem as severely. The term 'Monty Haul' didn't appear out of nowhere, either.

 

[Mercule]

I'm not so sure there has been an increase in reliance on equipment in 3.x. Actually, I'm inclined to agree with some others that it's, in truth, decreased. I think we've just been made more (or explicitly) aware of the situation.

My only real concern, since with a couple of decades of DMing experience I've got no problems adjusting CR/ELs, is the playerlayer balance factor. I don't dislike wizard's, etc. I do want a lower magic game, though. If I strip the Fighters of some of their magic items, then I need to look at the Wizards, too. Their spells give them a significant edge and may allow them to be disproportionately important in an adventure (kinda like throwing in a single higher lever PC).

 

[diaglo]

...The term 'Monty Haul' didn't appear out of nowhere, either.

i always credit the first publication of the term to the foreword in Supplement IV Gods, Demi-gods, & Heroes.

but i imagine it was in use before then.

 

[Janx]

mercule hit it on the head. 3e introduced METRICs. And by measuring something, you become concious of it.

Earlier versions of D&D was guesswork. How many GMs had a rule estimating that you're PC's weapon bonus should be equal to level /5 rounded down? or some such? Because it was expected that a PC would have such stuff, and there was no way to tell if your guy was munchkin or not, or if a monster would be too tough.

Now, if I know the party has the "average" amount of gear, then I know they should be able to take a monster at CR X. If they have more than average gear, than I know to increase the CR. I have metrics to help me judge the party. I also effectively have metrics to tell if I'm being too stingy or too generous compared to ther typical GMs.

Much of 3e is written to what was happening in typical parties. The average campaign lasted 1 year. It takes 13 encounters to level up, etc. Everything was balanced to that end.

As a GM, you don't have to ensure the party has the exact amount of gear (heck, without a PC program, you'll never really know). You should be aware of their power level and plan encounters accordingly.

And lastly, the older editions were more gear centric. Since there were no cool abilities and the like, the way you made your guy powerful and tricksy was with gear. Boots of speed, potions of invisibility, daggers of Mage Slaying, Vorpal Swords. With all the cool feats and neat stunts they enable, I don't need to give you gear to do wierd things, half the feats are wierd enough.

Janx