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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jacob Lewis" data-source="post: 9692778" data-attributes="member: 6667921">An excellent question—and exactly the kind of discussion I hope to see more of. Thoughtful, objective, and genuinely curious. I appreciate that.To me, optimization simply means making choices that yield the most benefit relative to your goals. It's not about min-maxing or overpowering the game; it's about choosing what you value most, given the available options.Let me frame it with a simple analogy:Say you're driving into town. You can take Route A—faster, more direct, but full of stoplights and traffic. Or Route B—slower, but more scenic and pleasant. The person who chooses Route A is optimizing for time and fuel. The one who chooses Route B is optimizing for experience. Both are making optimal choices—but for different priorities.They're never in conflict unless they're in the same car, trying to agree on one route.The same applies in RPGs. If a system like Fate or PbtA rewards dramatic flaws or failures, and a player leans into those mechanics to gain narrative or mechanical advantages, then yes—that is optimization. It’s just optimizing within a system that values tension, drama, and thematic richness over raw success.To your final question: Is taking a flaw for mechanical benefit still optimization?Absolutely. Because the motive is key. If a player wouldn’t take the flaw without the incentive attached, then the choice is being made strategically—not narratively. That’s not a bad thing, but it is optimization.</blockquote>

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