How important is it to you or your players for characters to feel "overpowered"?

[TwoSix]

It's not OneTrueWayism is you believe you're right?

Agree to disagree.

It's not OneTrueWayism if you're making an observational statement, rather than a normative one. Big difference between the two.

It's the difference between "In my experience, everyone does X, Y, Z" and "Everyone should do X, Y, Z."

 

[TwoSix]

In my OP I intentionally used “overpowered” instead of “heroic” because several discussions have cropped up recently about players complaining they couldn’t steamroll enemies easily enough. I’m really interested in where the line is for folks, and I may do another poll to drill down into exactly that.

Where were these discussions?

 

[Retros_x]

Ignoring the annoying tongue in cheek tone about younger audience I would say: Depends on game and context. I enjoy both underpowered "survival" games and overpowered "superhero" games. I think even in one game its good to vary between easy and hard challenges.

 

[Wolfpack48]

Where were these discussions?

Dragonbane threads.

 

[Wolfpack48]

Ignoring the annoying tongue in cheek tone about younger audience I would say: Depends on game and context. I enjoy both underpowered "survival" games and overpowered "superhero" games. I think even in one game its good to vary between easy and hard challenges.

I don’t think anyone would disagree that superhero games need to be overpowered.

And to be blunt the players (not all) complaining about underpowered games were younger players. That said, I personally know one player my age who absolutely can’t stand taking even a little damage.

 

[Retros_x]

I don’t think anyone would disagree that superhero games need to be overpowered.

So you agree it depends on game and setting and expectations?

 

[Wolfpack48]

So you agree it depends on game and setting and expectations?

This question obviously applies to main tier games. I even mentioned D&D. If it‘s a God tier or Superhero game, the question doesn’t apply.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Ignoring the annoying tongue in cheek tone about younger audience I would say: Depends on game and context. I enjoy both underpowered "survival" games and overpowered "superhero" games. I think even in one game its good to vary between easy and hard challenges.

I like both things you described, but want them in different games. Superheroes IMO belong in superhero games.

 

[Retros_x]

I like both things you described, but want them in different games. Superheroes IMO belong in superhero games.

As I said "depending on game". But yeah, my Shadowdark game should NOT feel like the characters are overpowered like superheroes. But I had once a short 5e campaign where the characters were actual demigods and I had additional mechanics to protect from death (but infuse dramatic narrative in exchange) and it was an actual great game. Completely different vibe of course, but both extremes of "superhero(ic)" and "hardcore survival" and everything between can be fun. Just depends on game, context, genre, vibes etc. And that gets decide by GM and players in pre-planning of the game. I am just annoyed by the notion that death is supposedly a requirement for fun games as tons of tables and players disprove.

 

[Lanefan]

It's not OneTrueWayism if it's based on a sincere belief that 99% is an accurate representation of the demographics involved.

Fair, but while I'll (reluctantly) concede it's probably a majority I'll challenge that "99%" claim all day long.