How Dragonbane Pointed out the Clashing Desires of My Gaming Group

[Retreater]

I do think I need to see what happens after the second session, after they know what to expect. If they have the same complaints and want to jettison the system, we can have a different conversation of what to do afterwards.

It's also a game influenced by some of the games mentioned in this thread (or on the KotLC Discord ): 4e D&D, 13th Age, and Apocalypse/Dungeon World.

It's always fun to run into people from other communities. I have a different name on Discord (DrWaites) because that's connected to my account on a previous forum where I knew other Discord members.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I think you should honestly tell them that you get no joy or pleasure running games at the level of engagement that they want to play. It sounds like 5e on a linear AP with all the combats set to medium or hard would satisfy them but you have clearly stated that you hate that style of play.
I wonder if, instead of rpg adjacent boardgames like Gloomhaven you were to try coop games like Arkham Horror or Eldritch Horror.

 

[SlyFlourish]

I just want to be powerful and kick ass. I want to roll 41 points of damage. I don't want to talk to the NPCs or follow a story. I want to be a rogue and sneak attack for lots of damage. I don't want to guess where to search for a trap - I want to make a check and have that determined.

Not to say "here's another system" but have you looked at 13th age at all? It's superheroic fantasy without all the inventory tracking and some big powerhouse combat but it's fast and has some good storytelling elements to it.

There may be another reason it's not a good fit but I thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[Retreater]

It doesn't sound like they enjoyed any of the other games you mentioned. Being adults, especially if you're staring at spreadsheets all day, you really don't want to have inventory management be so heavy; I feel like that was an issue with Vanilla WoW - being in raids was literally a second unpaid job, due to the character prep.

Yeah. I understand that. We just had close to a year of disconnected, arena-style combats that required no work from them. One of the other players and I (half the group) wanted a change of pace. (This other player, by the way, was excited to do the inventory management and roleplaying for the tactical minded players. She was also the only one who did any research at all in the 4E game.)
I've suggested simpler game structures, like dungeon exploration. No bites there, just like no bites on playing board games. It's like every time I have a good idea, they shoot it down.

 

[Retreater]

Not to say "here's another system" but have you looked at 13th age at all? It's superheroic fantasy without all the inventory tracking and some big powerhouse combat but it's fast and has some good storytelling elements to it.

There may be another reason it's not a good fit but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Yeah, I addressed that back on page 3. It's mostly the power-based design that made me think "it's crossing just a bit too much into that 4E territory we just left."

How Dragonbane Pointed out the Clashing Desires of My Gaming Group

Maybe it's time to go back to the classics. Tic-tac-toe, hang man, axis & allies.

www.enworld.org

 

[Morrus]

Just weird. I'm happy to play anything a GM feels like running. I've played rules-lite games, crunchy games, indie games, mass-market games. It'll be fun, whatever. I can't even imagine whining about how the system isn't tailored to me.

When it comes down to it, the people are more important than the system. That's just the medium.

 

[Retreater]

I think you should honestly tell them that you get no joy or pleasure running games at the level of engagement that they want to play. It sounds like 5e on a linear AP with all the combats set to medium or hard would satisfy them but you have clearly stated that you hate that style of play.
I wonder if, instead of rpg adjacent boardgames like Gloomhaven you were to try coop games like Arkham Horror or Eldritch Horror.

Maybe. And maybe I can add house rules to do "quick combats" for the boring ones, because most APs run a little long for my taste. I just can't find any more official 5e stuff that I haven't already run that interests me. I could convert from other systems, write my own, or dig through the muck of the unwashed 3PP content - which even the stuff from big names like Kobold Press has been maligned by trusted reviewers.

The co-op boardgame idea is interesting. Can't go Mythos themed for "reasons" - but it's worth a look. I don't know much about boardgames other than dungeon crawlers.

 

[Lidgar]

This thread makes me feel extremely fortunate that I’ve been gaming with the same group for over 30 years. While we have some differences in taste, they are pretty darn minor compared the what the OP is going through.

 

[Retreater]

Just weird. I'm happy to play anything a GM feels like running. I've played rules-lite games, crunchy games, indie games, mass-market games. It'll be fun, whatever. I can't even imagine whining about how the system isn't tailored to me.

When it comes down to it, the people are more important than the system. That's just the medium.

I guess the same should be said about me, in reverse? I should be happy running whatever the group wants to play, maybe?
I just got so burned out for the rules heavy stuff, running it weekly, and now starting my master's program. I just wanted to do something easier on me.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Maybe. And maybe I can add house rules to do "quick combats" for the boring ones, because most APs run a little long for my taste. I just can't find any more official 5e stuff that I haven't already run that interests me. I could convert from other systems, write my own, or dig through the muck of the unwashed 3PP content - which even the stuff from big names like Kobold Press has been maligned by trusted reviewers.

The co-op boardgame idea is interesting. Can't go Mythos themed for "reasons" - but it's worth a look. I don't know much about boardgames other than dungeon crawlers.

Things I found useful for APs are: milestone levelling and if the days combat kills about 15+% of a faction and the party leaves to rest, in a location the rest run away, unless there is a very compelling reason for them to stay.
This eliminates a lot of the boring fights; I also have nearby groups march to the sound of the fight.