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<blockquote data-quote="Fanaelialae" data-source="post: 8364509" data-attributes="member: 53980">Are earlier editions more lethal just looking at the rules as written? I think it's reasonable to say so.But has anyone actually claimed that older editions aren't more lethal, in this thread? I don't recall reading that (although, admittedly, I skimmed a lot of posts).I put forth the claim that the DM is the more significant factor with regard to lethality (rather than edition). I think that's true.I've also seen/made the argument that lethality does not necessarily equate to challenge, which I think is true. Which is not to say that challenge cannot derive from lethality, but rather that not all forms of lethality equate to challenge.The lethality of earlier editions was heavily based around RNG. Players could often get around this by engaging in what is commonly touted as &quot;skilled play&quot;. By engaging with the game asymmetrically, they could dramatically reduce or even eliminate the lethality of the game. Of course, there's literally nothing RAW preventing players from engaging with &quot;skilled play&quot; in any edition of the game (I've seen it done in every edition I've played). However, &quot;skilled play&quot; does depend significantly on the DM. Even disregarding questionable DMing practices that could shut down asymmetrical play, the plan that DM Tom considers brilliant might have no chance of success under DM Bob.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Fanaelialae, post: 8364509, member: 53980"] Are earlier editions more lethal just looking at the rules as written? I think it's reasonable to say so. But has anyone actually claimed that older editions aren't more lethal, in this thread? I don't recall reading that (although, admittedly, I skimmed a lot of posts). I put forth the claim that the DM is the more significant factor with regard to lethality (rather than edition). I think that's true. I've also seen/made the argument that lethality does not necessarily equate to challenge, which I think is true. Which is not to say that challenge cannot derive from lethality, but rather that not all forms of lethality equate to challenge. The lethality of earlier editions was heavily based around RNG. Players could often get around this by engaging in what is commonly touted as "skilled play". By engaging with the game asymmetrically, they could dramatically reduce or even eliminate the lethality of the game. Of course, there's literally nothing RAW preventing players from engaging with "skilled play" in any edition of the game (I've seen it done in every edition I've played). However, "skilled play" does depend significantly on the DM. Even disregarding questionable DMing practices that could shut down asymmetrical play, the plan that DM Tom considers brilliant might have no chance of success under DM Bob. [/QUOTE]

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