jayoungr
Legend
I said some groups don't mind if the resource management game isn't at peak efficiency, or maybe peak operation would be a better phrase. Peak operation is based on pushing every class to their limit--for example, ensuring that the casters aren't able to use their slotted spells every round, in order to roughly equalize the mechanical contributions of all classes. The ideal goal of "peak operation" is for every PC to be out or nearly out of resources by the time the group decides to take a long rest. And the easiest way to achieve this is with lots of combat, because combat uses up class resources faster than just about anything else. I get all that.I just don't see how you can play 5e without caring about resource management in a significant way. It's at the core of virtually all the player side mechanics in the game. That's what "fundamental" means to me. What "other things" in 5e are you focusing your attention on that make resource management less important? Because the mechanics of pretty much the whole game of 5e care about it very much. Do you not engage with the mechanics much at all at your table?
But there are groups who simply aren't bothered if some of the PCs usually still have most of their resources left when they take a long rest. They aren't worried if one of the PCs routinely does the most DPR in most combats. The resource management system isn't at peak operation for them, and they don't care.
What are the "other things" they might focus on? Things like finding creative ways to get past that ancient red dragon without fighting it. Having a "vivid and varied game," in the OP's words. And even when it comes to combat, sometimes the players are satisfied as long as the group overcomes the obstacle and they can progress to the next stage of the adventure.