Poll: Realism Modules in Your Game

[GMMichael]

Elaborate replies encouraged! For bonus points, let us know which mods you use that you think are too clunky/slow, and which ones you wish you would use in your game.
(For purposes of this poll, module = subsystem, or additional rules used to simulate that element.)

 

[MGibster]

All of my answers really depend on the game. I don't generally worry about encumbrance, but I generally make sure PCs can actually carry what they have on their person without penalty.

 

[payn]

There was a time i'd check a lot of these. These days I just want to get to the action and what I find fun and worthwhile. The mini game of traveling through inhospitable places, managing inventory, realistic healing, etc.. is just not worth the time and effort. YMMV.

I check carrying capacity but most of these other items only become a thing if they are interesting to be a thing.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

There was a time i'd check a lot of these. These days I just want to get to the action and what I find fun and worthwhile. The mini game of traveling through inhospitable places, managing inventory, realistic healing, etc.. is just not worth the time and effort. YMMV.

I check carrying capacity but most of these other items only become a thing if they are interesting to be a thing.

I'd love to know how many people back in the "hardcore" days of OD&D/BECMI/1e were tracking this, or just wrote, "2 wks. iron rations, 20 arrows" and never changed that.

 

[payn]

I'd love to know how many people back in the "hardcore" days of OD&D/BECMI/1e were tracking this, or just wrote, "2 wks. iron rations, 20 arrows" and never changed that.

I can only speak for my games, but it was super inconsistent. Anytime the GM brought it up out of nowhere, everybody instantly said "oh crap, a gotcha is around the corner!"

 

[Sacrosanct]

I'd love to know how many people back in the "hardcore" days of OD&D/BECMI/1e were tracking this, or just wrote, "2 wks. iron rations, 20 arrows" and never changed that.

As kids, we tracked most of that because we thought we had to because of the rules. As we got older, and read more of the rules and other articles (like in Dragon), we realized that keeping track of the minutia was something best kept to video games and we didn't bother unless it was directly related to the adventure. Ie. when playing in an adventure where resources were very sparse, we'd still track it. But typical dungeon crawl when it could be reasonably assumed to restock those things (town nearby)? didn't bother.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

As kids, we tracked most of that because we thought we had to because of the rules. As we got older, and read more of the rules and other articles (like in Dragon), we realized that keeping track of the minutia was something best kept to video games and we didn't bother unless it was directly related to the adventure. Ie. when playing in an adventure where resources were very sparse, we'd still track it. But typical dungeon crawl when it could be reasonably assumed to restock those things (town nearby)? didn't bother.

The question, for me, was always this-

Once a table agreed that these things didn't matter ... why did they always still insist on iron rations? Was there some giant issue with anemia in AD&D I was just never aware of?

 

[Umbran]

I generally play with whatever "realism modules" the game I'm playing natively includes. Like, Fate... the basic conflict resolution mechanic uses "Stress" and "Consequences", so I use a stress mechanic when playing that game. The thing being, doing so doesn't make Fate all that realistic.

I find I have to quibble that several of the things listed, while often used with the justification of "realism", may not be particularly realistic mechanics in any given implementation. The real world is not actually conducive to heroic action, after all.

My use of carrying capacity and inventory limits are between "no attention" and "incredibly picayune" I work with, "please don't be ridiculous." I'm playing a gnome with 8 Strength. The GM has never asked how much he's carrying, but I keep an eye on it, because it wouldn't be fair to have built a character with a dump stat and then ignore the impacts of that choice.

Similarly with food, water, and ammunition - if the party is someplace where coming by basic supplies would be difficult, such that inventory management is actually part of the challenge, then we track it. But most of the time it would be busywork that doesn't add anything ineresting to the result. If they are paying their monthly upkeep costs, they can assume they get food and arrows pretty much as needed.

 

[aramis erak]

Elaborate replies encouraged! For bonus points, let us know which mods you use that you think are too clunky/slow, and which ones you wish you would use in your game.
(For purposes of this poll, module = subsystem, or additional rules used to simulate that element.)

For my current Twilight 2000 4e game:
Active defense (roll and/or action)
Ammunition limits
Carrying capacity
Character wounds
Exposure to the elements
Fatal falls
Hunger/thirst
Mental trauma/stress
Stamina/endurance limits
Weapon/armor damage

FOr D&D, when I do run it:
Ammunition limits
Carrying capacity
Exposure to the elements
Potentially Fatal falls
Hunger/thirst
Mental trauma/stress
Stamina/endurance limits

All of which are part of PHB rules...

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Similarly with food, water, and ammunition - if the party is someplace where coming by basic supplies would be difficult, such that inventory management is actually part of the challenge, then we track it. But most of the time it would be busywork that doesn't add anything ineresting to the result.

Counterpoint- sometimes, tracking inventory can be super fun and dramatic!!!!



Uh uh. I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire twenty arrows or only nineteen?" Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself.

But seeing as I had a full quiver of Arrows of Bard Slaying, the most powerful ammunition in the world and would blow your lyin' Bard face clean off, you've gotta ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?"

Well, do ya, punk?