Cbas10 said:
...and IMO, players who feel that a larger amount or a "standard" amount of magic items is a necessity (read: fewer magic items given as rewards is a detraction from the game's enjoyment) are players who are turned on by the big numbers and kewl powurz of the game instead of compelling role-playing and captivating stories.
I wouldn't know that, I've only played with my own group and can't thus make such broad statements. I was just saying that Gothmogs view that higher magic only makes players favor stupid hack'n'slash strategies is a bit one-sided. The other side is that higher magic allows broader range of strategies, and requires higher level of preparedness from the DM.
Gothmog is right in that it does give more power(z) to the PCs.
The complete picture includes also the DM, who also now has more strategies and tactics at his disposal, which makes DMing a little more difficult.
From what I've seen (only from one group though) is that at higher levels it isn't at all like Gothmog said. Hack'n'slash, brute force approaches by PCs are very suicidal. I know this from two compaigns I've DMed to 16+ levels. So I can't say that high magic would favor those tactics.
Gothmogs misconception could be from the fact that he's for example played in a game where the DM gave simple, low-magic, opponents for a high-level / -magic group. Of course in that situation, where brute force carries no penalties, it is indeed used, because it's the simplest solution. In a more complex situation, where the DM knows what he's doing, brute force won't be the preferred choice.
Most commonly, the "level" of magic (whether it is high or low) in a setting helps more to support the plots, themes, and mood of a setting (such as with Forgotten Realms) - instead of merely representing a DM's inability to "handle" the game.
Well, yes, the magic level is tied to the world. Higher or lower magic isn't really a crutch for anything, but rather allows for versimilitude in gaming. Different things for different folks.
