Optimization and optimizers...

Optimized for me means Optimized within the confines of the entire game, not just a class. I.e. you play Bugbear Polearm Master Sentinel Opportunity Attack Fighter because it is broken because there is a 0% chance this happens naturally without browsing Reddit.
I agree with you, but the entire game includes to me also DM restrictions and limitations. I never even played in a game where Volos races were allowed. And usually in my games a build needs to be explained by roleplay limitations and causes too like backstory, world setting etc. As I wrote, roleplay and optimization can get fusioned. With those limitations, you still can optimize your build, the optimal values are just different.

A GM with optimizers in the group who allows everything and needs no roleplay will have a party full of broken builds like the one you suggested, but that is not the problem with people who like to optimize, its a problem with the game itself. And usually everyone will realize pretty quickly that this is not very fun and optimizer players without problematic personalities will agree and accept a stricter ruleset where they optimize on new grounds.
 

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By "needs roleplay" do you mean "needs a backstory justification"?
I would say connections to/in the setting and goals and defined personality things (if not the BIFTs in 5e) would qualify--though the first of that is arguably backstory, it doesn't need to have a lot of narrative attached to it. I mean, the idea that a build without a personality isn't really a character seems defensible to me, even if it's not my exact position.

Obviously, the person you're responding to might have different ideas, and so might you..
 

I mean, the idea that a build without a personality isn't really a character seems defensible to me, even if it's not my exact position.
Oh I tend to agree, you need a personality/backstory which is compatible with the mechanical character, but the idea that a build has to have a 1:1 correlation with full backstory explanations for literally every mechanical element which seems to possibly be implied would be bonkers (but not so bonkers I can dismiss it!).
 

Oh I tend to agree, you need a personality/backstory which is compatible with the mechanical character, but the idea that a build has to have a 1:1 correlation with full backstory explanations for literally every mechanical element which seems to possibly be implied would be bonkers (but not so bonkers I can dismiss it!).
Yeah, that 1:1 correlation is way beyond where I'd go in that direction, too..
 


By "needs roleplay" do you mean "needs a backstory justification"?
That or just some sort of connection between the narration and the mechanics. When a paladin multiclasses into a warlock, there should be story implications by that and not just done for the crazy build the player hopes for.
but the idea that a build has to have a 1:1 correlation with full backstory explanations for literally every mechanical element
No, that would be too much - although I enjoy finding narrative reasons why my character gains a feat or new ability, its a cool creative exercise. But I would not enforce that.
 

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