Campbell
Relaxed Intensity
What is and is not smart play will always be dictated by the rules of the game* because rules dictate how players interact with the ongoing fiction of the game.
For instance when playing RuneQuest smart play is going to come from interacting with combat rules that are based on the designers experience with SCA combat as well as a desire to balance different forms of combat. For instance if faced with a scenario where a warrior character encounters enemies with access to missile weapons its smart play to use a shield and weapon combo over a two handed weapon because only shield users can parry ranged weapons. Likewise when faced with an opponent wielding two daggers its advantageous to wield a larger weapon so you can parry the full force of their blows.
In 3e its advantageous to attack over using specialized combat maneuvers against large creatures, because attacks are likely to have an effect whereas grappling is not.
In both cases it is the rules of the game which determine smart play. As a group you need to decide on a game that gels with what you envision to be smart play.
*Rules of the game may sometimes include DM rulings which are just less formal rules that vary from table to table and possibly situation to situation.
For instance when playing RuneQuest smart play is going to come from interacting with combat rules that are based on the designers experience with SCA combat as well as a desire to balance different forms of combat. For instance if faced with a scenario where a warrior character encounters enemies with access to missile weapons its smart play to use a shield and weapon combo over a two handed weapon because only shield users can parry ranged weapons. Likewise when faced with an opponent wielding two daggers its advantageous to wield a larger weapon so you can parry the full force of their blows.
In 3e its advantageous to attack over using specialized combat maneuvers against large creatures, because attacks are likely to have an effect whereas grappling is not.
In both cases it is the rules of the game which determine smart play. As a group you need to decide on a game that gels with what you envision to be smart play.
*Rules of the game may sometimes include DM rulings which are just less formal rules that vary from table to table and possibly situation to situation.