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*Dungeons & Dragons
Feature or Bug: D&D's Power and Complexity Curve
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<blockquote data-quote="Reynard" data-source="post: 7557827" data-attributes="member: 467"><p>To illustrate why I think it is a bug, let's imagine a variant of D&D 5E with a couple core changes. First, characters do not gain hit points as they level. Perhaps they start with a hit point "kicker" or maybe they just get their first level hit points. In either case, one of the foundational elements of increased power -- longevity in the face of tougher opponents -- is removed. Second, D&D style flash bang magic is removed from the game, including magic items that replicate such spells. There may or may not need to be a few other limits (character classes like Warlocks that bake in a lot of magical features as class abilities probably have to go, too) but generally speaking those are the primary big changes. What does that do, and how does it illustrate my point?</p><p></p><p>First, characters still gain levels. Every few levels their Proficiency bonus increases and they get a feat or an ability boost. They get their class features ever couple levels as well. So they are getting "better." However, an orc is still an orc because they still only have the same hit points they started with, and the bigger, tougher, scarier higher CR monsters really are bigger, tougher and scarier. In addition, a yawning chasm or a sheer cliff or a murder mystery are still actual obstacles for the characters. They can't just fly over it or spider climb up it or speak with the deceased. The world looks the same over the course of their careers and remains more immersive and viable in the face of the PCs.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Reynard, post: 7557827, member: 467"] To illustrate why I think it is a bug, let's imagine a variant of D&D 5E with a couple core changes. First, characters do not gain hit points as they level. Perhaps they start with a hit point "kicker" or maybe they just get their first level hit points. In either case, one of the foundational elements of increased power -- longevity in the face of tougher opponents -- is removed. Second, D&D style flash bang magic is removed from the game, including magic items that replicate such spells. There may or may not need to be a few other limits (character classes like Warlocks that bake in a lot of magical features as class abilities probably have to go, too) but generally speaking those are the primary big changes. What does that do, and how does it illustrate my point? First, characters still gain levels. Every few levels their Proficiency bonus increases and they get a feat or an ability boost. They get their class features ever couple levels as well. So they are getting "better." However, an orc is still an orc because they still only have the same hit points they started with, and the bigger, tougher, scarier higher CR monsters really are bigger, tougher and scarier. In addition, a yawning chasm or a sheer cliff or a murder mystery are still actual obstacles for the characters. They can't just fly over it or spider climb up it or speak with the deceased. The world looks the same over the course of their careers and remains more immersive and viable in the face of the PCs. [/QUOTE]
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Feature or Bug: D&D's Power and Complexity Curve
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