JoeBlank
Explorer
I agree with Thanee, just because you are offering someone else advice does not have to mean that you are helping them min/max. You could certainly be suggesting "skill focus might be a great feat to acheive the flavor you are looking for with that character."
In one group, the one I have been in since 3.0 came out, I am by far the most involved in the game. None of the others posts on ENW, and only one of them even knows this place exists. They are mostly casual gamers. I started out offering helpful suggestions, and explaining the consequences of various chooses. One player has evolved to the point where he asks my advise on most of his character decisions. Basically, he says "I want a guy who can do this/is good at that" and I offer a few suggestions.
At least one other player often asks my advice but rarely takes it. He is like a student who crams for a test, he will study up on the rules when he has a decision to make, and then forget them all before the next time he levels up. Of course, that can be months at the pace we play. He has realized this shortcoming, and now makes notes of his future plans on his character sheet, such as "take this feat next" and "keep this skill maxed".
They know that I know the rules pretty well, and many of them do not. I would hate for one of them to say "gosh, I wish my wizard was better at making stuff" and me to not say anything. And then a couple levels later, the player might say "why didn't you remind me that my wizard qualified for craft wand last level, that would have been a great feat for me?"
Well, I rambled a bit. Anyway, my fellow gamers are my friends. When I have an opinion I might offer a suggestion. If that take it or ask for more, I will continue. Often they appreciate the advice but may not always take it. That is fine by me, the goal is not for everyone to have an optimized character. The goal is for everyone to have fun. Part of having fun is the player being able to get what he wants out of his character.
In one group, the one I have been in since 3.0 came out, I am by far the most involved in the game. None of the others posts on ENW, and only one of them even knows this place exists. They are mostly casual gamers. I started out offering helpful suggestions, and explaining the consequences of various chooses. One player has evolved to the point where he asks my advise on most of his character decisions. Basically, he says "I want a guy who can do this/is good at that" and I offer a few suggestions.
At least one other player often asks my advice but rarely takes it. He is like a student who crams for a test, he will study up on the rules when he has a decision to make, and then forget them all before the next time he levels up. Of course, that can be months at the pace we play. He has realized this shortcoming, and now makes notes of his future plans on his character sheet, such as "take this feat next" and "keep this skill maxed".
They know that I know the rules pretty well, and many of them do not. I would hate for one of them to say "gosh, I wish my wizard was better at making stuff" and me to not say anything. And then a couple levels later, the player might say "why didn't you remind me that my wizard qualified for craft wand last level, that would have been a great feat for me?"
Well, I rambled a bit. Anyway, my fellow gamers are my friends. When I have an opinion I might offer a suggestion. If that take it or ask for more, I will continue. Often they appreciate the advice but may not always take it. That is fine by me, the goal is not for everyone to have an optimized character. The goal is for everyone to have fun. Part of having fun is the player being able to get what he wants out of his character.
