It sounds like everyone plays the game at different difficulties, based on the amount of TPKs posted! What do you like about the level of difficulty you play at? What are your frustrations?
1 - Creampuff
Its more about being there than having any sort of challenge. The players are the heroes who can do no wrong, and its almost impossible to be seriously punished. You can pull down the kings pants, set fire to the wizards tower, and have personal conversations with your diety. The game will end in smiley faces and happy rainbows if you continue to show up, even if you take no effort in the direction the party is moving in.
2 - Safe Bet
Assuming everything goes according to plan no one dies, the monsters lie dead, and the players get the girl. Players can still be killed when they do really stupid things, but they don't die to bad rolls because the DM will find a creative solution to that. Its pretty standard for the game to end on a positive note so long as minimal effort is taken by the party.
3 - Challenging
By the book combat encounters requiring solid cooperation and party balance. Some encounters are too difficult, but they are rare. Most players survive, although some take a lot more bruises and losses than others (often due to not being cautious). The DM is more likely to capture the party than fudge dice rolls.
4 - Survival of the Fittest
The DM thinks the encounters are a bit weak, or that punishments should be more heavy handed. Resurrection may be impossible, there are many fights that cannot be won, and traps&tactics are geared towards killing players. The best players tend to keep their characters, but others fall by the wayside.
5 - Hard Core
Whoa, I hit level 2! This character is going for the hall of fame! Seriously, it's hard to survive encounters. You need to do the right thing, and dice rolls or poor decisions can often wipe out the entire party. Completing character goals is often harder than the encounters too!
1 - Creampuff
Its more about being there than having any sort of challenge. The players are the heroes who can do no wrong, and its almost impossible to be seriously punished. You can pull down the kings pants, set fire to the wizards tower, and have personal conversations with your diety. The game will end in smiley faces and happy rainbows if you continue to show up, even if you take no effort in the direction the party is moving in.
2 - Safe Bet
Assuming everything goes according to plan no one dies, the monsters lie dead, and the players get the girl. Players can still be killed when they do really stupid things, but they don't die to bad rolls because the DM will find a creative solution to that. Its pretty standard for the game to end on a positive note so long as minimal effort is taken by the party.
3 - Challenging
By the book combat encounters requiring solid cooperation and party balance. Some encounters are too difficult, but they are rare. Most players survive, although some take a lot more bruises and losses than others (often due to not being cautious). The DM is more likely to capture the party than fudge dice rolls.
4 - Survival of the Fittest
The DM thinks the encounters are a bit weak, or that punishments should be more heavy handed. Resurrection may be impossible, there are many fights that cannot be won, and traps&tactics are geared towards killing players. The best players tend to keep their characters, but others fall by the wayside.
5 - Hard Core
Whoa, I hit level 2! This character is going for the hall of fame! Seriously, it's hard to survive encounters. You need to do the right thing, and dice rolls or poor decisions can often wipe out the entire party. Completing character goals is often harder than the encounters too!
