New Crunch: I done had enough of this stuff!!!

[Halivar]

So, in our recent games, we've been having a LOT of walk offs. "This character is lame... he walks off." Everyone in the group does it. Next week, a new gathering of characters show up, with all new races, and all new classes, courtesy of "Player's Handbook II" or "Complete Munchkin" or somesuch. Now that 9 Swords is out, I imagine half our group will be switching characters again.

So far in this group, I'm the only one that still plays races and classes out of the PHB. The only one. Is this epidemic, or is this just my group? Sometimes I just want WotC to stop putting out new crap to entice the powergamer's.

No more crunch! Who's with me?

 

[kenobi65]

I think it's your group. Most of the people in my groups use a few items (feats, spells, etc.) from the non-core books at most, but that's it.

 

[Jdvn1]

I've never seen a group do this, but at least the players get a chance to play characters they like.

 

[BadMojo]

I think it's your group. Most of the people in my groups use a few items (feats, spells, etc.) from the non-core books at most, but that's it.

It sounds like your group either has a short attention span, a HUGE powergamer streak or a bit of both.

There are some classes from PHB II (the Duskblade), Complete Adventurer (Scout) and Heroes of Horror (Dread Necromancer) that I'd like to play in our existing campaign.

Since I'm already running a barbarian in our game, I'll just wait until we start something new or until my existing character croaks to try out some of the new classes.

Our group, for the most part, has stuck with the core PHB classes (not so much with the races). This is just player preference and not mandated by the DM. For the record, I like a lot of the new classes and wouldn't mind having them used in any game that I run.

 

[Umbran]

Is this epidemic, or is this just my group? Sometimes I just want WotC to stop putting out new crap to entice the powergamer's.

No more crunch! Who's with me?

Well, it isn't happening in my group.

I am,however, not with you for a different reason - the powergamers ought to be albe to play the sort of game they want to play. I don't think your problem lies in the gaming materials "enticing" anyone. I think your problem is that you and the rest of the group simply have differing expectations about what's supposed to happen in the game. Limiting the materials wouldn't solve the root problem.

 

[Glyfair]

I've never seen a group do this, but at least the players get a chance to play characters they like.

I've had players who definitely had "gamer ADD' and often wanted to change characters after getting bored with the last character. Very often they wanted to play the newest thing.

In fact, I have a player like that in my current game. When character generation for a campaign is announced he'll often announce what he's playing, and change 6 or 7 times before he settles on a concept. After a few sessions he'll be dissatisfied and want to try something else. Usually, he sticks with the character because our house rules means he'll lose out on some experience and will be a bit behind the rest of the group.

It probably has become common in his group because it's become accepted. Once the first player does it with no real disadvantage, it becomes more attractive to another player dissatisfied with his character.

The only way to discourage it is to make sure there are repercussions for this. In my game the minor penalty for changing characters was sufficient.

A strong subplot connection for characters can be good as well, especially with positive overtones. If the subplots all deal with NPCs seeking revenge on the PC, hold grudges, etc. then it becomes more attractive to change. However, if there are NPCs who owe the PC, if there are contacts he's gained, positive reputation, etc. then there is more reason to stick with the character.

Of course, if you aren't the DM, there isn't much you can directly do about it. Talk to the DM and see if he's as concerned as you are. Try to get him to make it worthwhile to stick with the character.

 

[Mercule]

It's your group. We have some content out of the Complete books, but no walk-offs. I'm GM for two games. Everyone still has their original characters. They are:

Game1:
- Elf swashbuckler
- Gnome druid
- Human ranger
- Human fighter
- Human warlock
- Human wizard/noble

Game 2:
- Half-orc ranger/barbarian
- Warforged conjurer
- Elf warmage
- Kalashtar psion/cleric
- Half-elf scout

 

[haakon1]

If you're the DM, that's easy to solve: PHB classes and races only, all others need prior DM approval. As somebody who played 1st Edition for 15 years, I can tell you: you don't need crunch to have a good, interesting game.

I've only had player's switch characters maybe 2 times. The reason for that is simple: ever single character in my campaign starts at 1st level, no exceptions. Makes death more serious, and character switching a more momentous decision.

 

[Ranger REG]

So far in this group, I'm the only one that still plays races and classes out of the PHB. The only one. Is this epidemic, or is this just my group? Sometimes I just want WotC to stop putting out new crap to entice the powergamer's.

No more crunch! Who's with me?

I'm sure your group is not the only one, but the fault truly lies with your DM who is supposed to control one's own campaign and whatever rules he or she would allow in one's own game.

Just because it has a WotC and/or D&D label on the book, doesn't mean you blindly accept the material and add to your game without reviewing it and finally approving it? Any DM with at least an IQ of 30 knows that. No apology.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

I definately think its your group. Then again, the group I plays with is really in it for the RP and not the crunch anyway ... so when it boils down to interaction who really cares if you are a paladin, a duskblade, or a ranger? Just get in character and go!

We do make new characters, and we do use complete, psionics (but no complete psionics), and PHB II.

If it truly is your group, and I am of the opinion that it is, here are two pretty solid solutions:

1. Check out the rules in the PHB II for rebuilding your characters. You can do small changes (like feat swapping or retraining weapon proficiencies) or you can even make huge changes (like race and class). The small changes you are allowed to do one/level I believe and the big changes need a serious quest for. This would allow your characters to get into their characters rather than dump them and have to start all over when a new book is out.

2. Only allow new books to be introduced at the start of a new campaign. Thus, a campaign begins with a list of X books that are allowed and you stick with that list until everyone agrees to end the campaign - or a TPK happens.