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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dark Jezter" data-source="post: 1758238" data-attributes="member: 1015">I've never seen mechanically balanced classes or treasure-by-level guidelines interfere with the storylines of any 3e games I've played in.  A while ago I participated in roleplaying-heavy Rokugan campaign (Oriental Adventures D&D), and never once did the 3e ruleset interfere with the DM's storyline or in-character roleplaying any more than the 1e or 2e rules would have.  A while later we ran a roleplaying-heavy Scarred Lands campaign, and had the same expirience.Then why even run a game using an RPG system at all?  Wouldn't the ultimate in plot-focused games be sitting around a table with a few other guys while taking turns telling a story?And previous editions didn't have rules you were expected to adhere to?  What if I wanted to have a dwarf mage or a halfling paladin in my 2e game?  Such race/class combos were not allowed under previous editions (I guess because they didn't fall into neatly-defined Tolkienesque stereotypes).That's because role-playing restrictions usually aren't a valid method of game balance.  In most cases, a halfway-clever player can find ways to mercilessly exploit such rules.  The Book of Exalted Deeds is a good example of this.See, I don't view this as a bad thing.  Things like Bluff and Diplomacy as skills now allow decidedly un-charismatic players to effectively roleplay smooth-tongued charmers in a D&D campaign.</blockquote>