Is D&D getting too powerful?

[Wormwood]

well, I'm just rather annoyed that 3rd edition has become so stuffed with house rules to compensate for WotC's incomptency that I want a new edition. This one's broken.

I'm sorry--but what?

Do you even remember 2nd edition? 3e is sheer bliss compared to that morass of inconsistencies.

The fact that so many people are comfortable crafting house rules is because 3e's underlying toolest is relatively exposed. The system itself is so open and understandable that anyone can get under the hood and tinker around a bit, tailoring their game to their needs in a way unprecedented in D&D history.

 

[Angcuru]

there's this thing called an opinion,you know....

 

[Wormwood]

there's this thing called an opinion,you know....

Of course there is. I was just offering *mine*.

Relax.

 

[Angcuru]

glad to see we agree on something. But is it just me, or did 2nd edition have a better feel to it?

 

[Dark Eternal]

well, I'm just rather annoyed that 3rd edition has become so stuffed with house rules to compensate for WotC's incomptency that I want a new edition. This one's broken.

As much as I hate to disagree with you, my brother, I'm afraid I'm going to have to.

I have had many long and very serious conversations with my senior Dungeon Master (Orryn Emrys, on these boards) about these matters. And I have, with his help, come to realize something that I don't think I would ever have understood on my own:

The Problem Is Not In The System.

Period. And I'm serious - that is the absolute truth.

The house rules that people create to address the 'broken' aspects of D&D 3e are not necessary. Because the system is just fine.

I used to work for a horse trainer named Dean Smith. If any of you know show horses, you may recognize his name - he's one of the most successful show horse trainers in the past fifty years. He told me once that most horse owners have things all mixed up. When the horse does something 'wrong', they thing the problem's with the horse. But the problem is never the horses' fault - every problem with a horses' behaviour is either its riders fault, or its trainers. Never the horses'.

D&D is the same thing. If you are having a problem with the game, it's not the fault of the game system. One way or another, it is due to the DM. He has absolute power over his game, and the adverse of that is that he also has absolute responsibility. Ergo - it's always his fault.

Ever since I came to this realization, my dungeon mastering has been improving by incredible leaps and bounds. So has my playing. And you know what? Suddenly I'm discovering that there don't seem to be so many problems with the system, after all.

Sorry about the rantish tone to all of this - I really didn't intend to come across that way. If the above strikes you as untrue, or if it doesn't feel like useful advice, please disregard it. If anything I've said rubs you the wrong way, then hold my inadequate presentation to blame. But if you think about it, and it helps your game or your appreciation for the game in any way, then please credit my DM - he's done more to help me enjoy and profit from gaming than all the wizards of all the coasts in the world.

 

[Wormwood]

glad to see we agree on something. But is it just me, or did 2nd edition have a better feel to it?

It's probably not just you, no.

As far as I remember, it did have a different feel, but that had no bearing on the fact that I and my entire group left D&D for for almost a decade.

I guess what I mean is, I can supply my own feel, as long as the rules are solid enough to provide for balanced play.

 

[Angcuru]

Well, it seems over-simplified to me. That and the experience system is over-complicated. I prefer to use the "This monster = This much exp, and you need this much to level up." Not the "This monster=this cr, then you factor in the number of monsters with that cr, the monsters of other cr's, compare that to the average level of your party, and then factor in any multi-class penalties that may apply." Well, I love the feats and skills, I was getting sick of THAC0, and the weapon proficiencies in 2nd were really annoying to me.

..........maybe I just have really fond memories of 2nd, and haven't to date matched them with those found in 3rd edition gaming.

 

[Ulrick]

Well, the PCs have gotten much stronger...but so has the opposition.

heh heh heh

giants and no more large creature damage for weapons to compensate.

 

[Azlan]

Re: Re: Is D&D getting too powerful?

Ever wonder why Friends is the #1 show?

That's an interesting remark. I'm curious: What does Friends being the #1 show have to do with why the roleplaying-gaming populace (or at least, those who play 3E D&D) wants?

 

[Bendris Noulg]

Re: Re: Re: Is D&D getting too powerful?

That's an interesting remark. I'm curious: What does Friends being the #1 show have to do with why the roleplaying-gaming populace (or at least, those who play 3E D&D) wants?

I already stated it, but I'll reiterate:

Money. WotC did a bit of marketing research that indicated to them what kind of product would sell the most by merit of mass popularity. Thus, for the same reason that we get season after season of Friends, 3E is geared the way that it is.