D&D General Leaning into the tropes

[Arvok]

Whenever I have a druid NPC I keep telling myself "don't play a stoner ... don't play a stoner ..." the first thing out of my mouth is "Dude ..." in classic stoner tones.

I know a girl who plays a druid with a sort of Luna Lovegood vibe--more of a hippie who did maybe one too many hits of acid instead of a stoner. It's very effective and amusing, as she plays her character as someone who is mostly oblivious to the most basic norms of society while still being observant. She picks up on body language and things like that but not what people are saying.

 

[Arvok]

The trope that people generally "pick on somebody their own size".

The PCs aren't confronted by a 20th level necromancer when they're 1st level. Also, the local ruler's call for help is against an opponent that will challenge the party but won't TPK them (unless they behave stupidly).

 

[grimslade]

You can have my Bohemian Ear-Spoon when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

 

[tommybahama]

Isn't strength exclusively used for leaping?

In game terms, yes. But acrobatics includes leaping.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

I think you are missing the point. Having finesse polearm with reach would be a welcomed option in a fantasy setting.

Yes, I can see the appeal from a character optimisation point of view. - Dex is a very powerful stat and being able to attack with a more powerful weapon using it rather than having to allocate points to Strength would be a boost.

Beyond that, leaping into the air to bypass an opponents defense to deliver a slashing attack is more of a dexterity move than brute strength. I think a strength based fighter would remain grounded so he could better leverage his strength mechanically (rotating from the hips, etc.) to cleave through her defenses.

I think there may be confusion between the general english meaning of finesse, and the actual game term for the 5e mechanic.
In 5e D&D Dex covers grace, balance and reflexes. Whereas Strength covers athleticism and force. A fighter using their strength might absolutely use it to push through a weaker opponent's guard, but they might also use the superior control and speed of weapon granted by that strength to outmaneuver their opponent by cutting around their guard faster than they can reposition, or to leap to attack from an unexpected angle.

In game terms, yes. But acrobatics includes leaping.

No, that is Athletics in 5e.
In real terms, acrobatics certainly involves leaping. However it also requires a lot of strength. Just like many athletic activities use balance, reflexes and grace.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

At some point we got too cool for school.

I am still down with evil and good being forces that interact with magic items and the planes.

I am still down with dudes wearing holy symbols of the gods—-not just following a philosophy.

I am still down with evil monsters and greedy dwarves. All in.

never got enlightened and or jaded enough to hate pouchfulls of gems and smoky seedy inns. Never resented it never tired of it. The tropes have served me just fine for more than 3 decades.

no shame, no apology

 

[Scott Christian]

Do you embrace D&Disms in your D&D games? If so, how does it change (if at all) between editions? Are there D&Disms you just can't abide, or love and bring to other games?

In my experience, it just depends on the table and players. Some campaigns I have been a part of are trope heavy with all the requirements you laid out. Those have a tendency to finish (my experience). The non-trope campaigns seem to meander from being the greatest thing ever and then losing focus at consistent intervals, and then fizzling out.
I should note: Some of these campaigns have been with the same players and DMs. So it is a mixed bag and not necessarily DM or player reliant.
But, the trope heavy seems be able to construct a more settled world that players want to inhabit for longer periods of time.

PS - Editions have never mattered in this regard. My experiences have played out across all editions, from 2nd to 5th.

 

[Scott Christian]

The only tropes I dont tolerate a my table is cliché'ed characters: drunk scotish dwarves, stoned druids and snoby elves can stay home, you need to do better.

This always intrigues me. Someone who tolerates and embraces some tropes, but then tells these three tropes to do better. I mean, honestly, if a player felt like playing a stoned druid, can't they? Does it ruin the game that much for you? Or were you just being hyperbolic?

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

This always intrigues me. Someone who tolerates and embraces some tropes, but then tells these three tropes to do better. I mean, honestly, if a player felt like playing a stoned druid, can't they? Does it ruin the game that much for you? Or were you just being hyperbolic?

Oh I was exaggerating, indeed.

I dont really mind those if they come naturally and you do those in a game or two.

But yeah, a friend of mine is playing his 3rd stoner druid in a row (in a bout 1 year and a half)...so yeah, its getting a little long in the nose. I wont stop him from playing his 4th one...but I may throw some stuff a him yelling '''boohhhh''.

 

[Scott Christian]

But yeah, a friend of mine is playing his 3rd stoner druid in a row (in a bout 1 year and a half)...so yeah, its getting a little long in the nose. I wont stop him from playing his 4th one...but I may throw some stuff a him yelling '''boohhhh''.

Okay, three in a row... even I am like - no.