Dungeons & Dragons Lite: Am I the Only One?

[scadgrad]

I take the D&D lite approach for the DM, but all the books you want sans Forgotten Realms for the players.

Our C&C campaign allows about 90% of the feats available. Sure some of those have to be tweaked for C&C, but the fix is rather obvious. We also allow spells (one per spell level) from anywhere. 1st ed, RC, 2nd ed, 3.0, 3.5 doesn't matter.

So my players can have tons of customization and I can have my simple stat lines, no AoOs, and minimal prep-time.

Just to stir the pot, having read True20 now, I really find it to be anything but rules-lite. I was quite disappointed with it, probably should start a different thread though.

 

[Erekose]

I am really getting to the point with D&D 3.x that I may have to change to OD&D for a while.

I'm finally at the stage where I believe Diaglo may be right!

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I have never understood the compulsion people feel to add every supplemental rule book WotC puts out into their games. Even if I buy a book I never use even off the optional (thats right those rules are optional) rule in it. Not only do I not use them but I out right will not allow them in my game.
I'll tell you what the problem is. It's the darn give the power to the players philosophy of 3e, DMs are simply suppose to cater to the players every whim. If player X buys a book and finds a PRC in it that the DM probably wouldn't allow it seems standard 3e policy to let the player play it anyway.

In my games I make clear at the beginning what rules and extra feats/splls/PRCs are allowed (I usually won't just allow a whole book and everything in it) And possibly introduce new ones as the game progresses. If a player has an interesting idea I will here him out then rule yay or nay. And it's final.

 

[WayneLigon]

Am I alone in my new, simple ways?

Nope. We've always done that. Just because some rule or monster or spell is published doesn't mean we include it instantly. I don't personally know of any campaign that has done that, ever, even in 1E and 2E or any other gaming system.

Those aren't new ways, those are smart ways

 

[Psion]

I have never understood the compulsion people feel to add every supplemental rule book WotC puts out into their games.

Who does that?

I severely doubt many people do. This seems to me a bit of a strawman.

What I do... and I imagine many people do... is look at books and add what is interesting to them and appropriate for their game.

 

[BryonD]

Who does that?

I severely doubt many people do. This seems to me a bit of a strawman.

Sure it is a strawman. And it is really the basis for the entire point of the thread.

What I do... and I imagine many people do... is look at books and add what is interesting to them and appropriate for their game.

Exactly. I recently bought Magic of Incarnum. I enjoyed reading it and may use it at some point. But I don't see any need for it in my current game so I'll set it aside for now.
I use some books that way, I actually use others in game, and others I (gasp!) don't buy.

I can't comprehend how WotC producing more options could even lead a reasonable line of thinking to "all of you playing in campaigns with 25th level Half-Gelatinous Cube/Half-Stone Golem Paladins".

 

[der_kluge]

I could run an infinite number of games with the PHB and the Monster Manual. I don't even need the DMG. I find it to be rather superfluous, actually.

More books != More fun

 

[Beale Knight]

Am I alone in my new, simple ways?

Not alone at all. In fact I'm using less books than you! In the campaign I started earlier this year I made it plain that I'm allowing the core books and a short, specific list of things from Unearthed Arcana. Anything else I'd take a look at on a case-by-case basis, IF the player that wanted it would provide the book for me to puruse for a week or so beforehand, or (if it was just a spell or feat or something) typed it up.

It's worked out very well. My group is an elf cleric (knowledge and travel), a human knight style fighter, a human foot soldier style fighter, a half-elf/human ranger, and an elf sorcerer/fighter. Of the five players, only the cleric's has requested anything beyond the core books, and that's only been two spells.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I have a simplified house rule document on what is allowed and what isn't, plus the material that I come up with too. You can find it in my Gathered Goodies thread.

 

[pogre]

I have always been grateful that I kept my D&D campaign "core only" minus PRCs and monks. I do like to look at a few other books for DM imagination boosts, but fewer rules has simplified my life.