Lanefan
Victoria Rules
Ayup.I would bet that said people would say that frustration of the sort you describe is just part of the game.
Everyone having fun all the time? Call me cynical, but that sounds a bit pie-in-the-sky from here.Personally, I don't find that to be compatible with the goals of play laid out in the game which, as I mentioned above, are everyone having fun and creating an exciting, memorable story as a result of play.
That, and some frustration and delay can make a subsequent breakthrough all the more satisfying and absolutely memorable. Example: a party in which I was a player once got to a door in a dungeon that for whatever now-forgotten reason it was vital that we get through. The only way - the only way, and believe me we tried everything! - we could open this door was to solve the riddle written upon it. (think of the Fellowship at the door to Moria)
Two entire sessions, plus some mid-week discussions, went by and we couldn't solve this bloody riddle.
Finally, in the third session my PC (as in, me) tried what seemed like a too-simple answer and >poof< the door vanished to a roaring cheer around the table.
I don't remember anything else about that dungeon or even that campaign, but I do remember that damn door both for the frustration of getting through it and the breakthrough when we finally did.
Therefore...
I disagree with this statement.To my mind, frustration on the part of the players is to be avoided ...