D&D General [rant]The conservatism of D&D fans is exhausting.

[gban007]

That's the division of power in trad games. You talk to your GM and they help, or you step out, or you live with it. You can't make someone play the game the way you want. Not sure what solution you're looking for here.

But isn't there circular logic at some point here?

'I think this rule is an issue, and ideally should be changed'
'It isn't a problem as can be house ruled away, dnd is flexible so rule doesn't beef changing'
'My DM won't allow us to house rule that'
'That is DnD, the DM has the power per the rules, you will have to find a different group'

So the rule isn't a problem as can be house ruled, except when it can't be house ruled, but that is okay as these flexible rules that can be changed at any time say DM has absolute power, which is absolute and can't be changed despite these flexible rules.

What can be frustrating for me is that complaints about dnd rules can be swept aside as can be house ruled and no two tables play the same, but rules for other games are apparently absolute and can be criticized freely, even if those other games have as many suggestions as dnd for making it your own, and no two tables of other games will play the same.

 

[Micah Sweet]

But isn't there circular logic at some point here?

'I think this rule is an issue, and ideally should be changed'
'It isn't a problem as can be house ruled away, dnd is flexible so rule doesn't beef changing'
'My DM won't allow us to house rule that'
'That is DnD, the DM has the power per the rules, you will have to find a different group'

So the rule isn't a problem as can be house ruled, except when it can't be house ruled, but that is okay as these flexible rules that can be changed at any time say DM has absolute power, which is absolute and can't be changed despite these flexible rules.

What can be frustrating for me is that complaints about dnd rules can be swept aside as can be house ruled and no two tables play the same, but rules for other games are apparently absolute and can be criticized freely, even if those other games have as many suggestions as dnd for making it your own, and no two tables of other games will play the same.

Unless you're going to march on WotC and start making demands, issues with the rules need to be handled at the table level, which means talking with your GM and/or players. It is what it is.

What "other games" are set in stone and immune to houseruling?

 

[Thomas Shey]

That's correct. I don't see the problem.

I'm sure you don't.

 

[Thomas Shey]

That's the division of power in trad games. You talk to your GM and they help, or you step out, or you live with it. You can't make someone play the game the way you want. Not sure what solution you're looking for here.

I'm suggesting that for many people talking about problems in a system, bringing up a houserule is an absolutely useless response. Even if you disagree, I'd think you'd understand why.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I'm suggesting that for many people talking about problems in a system, bringing up a houserule is an absolutely useless response. Even if you disagree, I'd think you'd understand why.

Please provide me an example of a useful response then, other than sympathy (which is perfectly valid).

 

[gban007]

Please provide me an example of a useful response then, other than sympathy (which is perfectly valid).

I think mainly suggesting near systems (e.g. for DnD, A5E or lord of the rings 5e or ToV) that may address the issue, some rules supplement that may address it (like Up in Arms addresses some issues for WFRP 4e), or even complete other systems that may meet overall needs better, say Dragonbane or the like.

 

[Bae'zel]

I don’t like this rule.

House rule it to change it at your table.

What if my DM doesn’t agree?

Can you play anyway, despite it?

No.

Find another group or start your own game.

I can’t or I don’t want to or I shouldn’t have to.

Play a different game!

 

[Micah Sweet]

I think mainly suggesting near systems (e.g. for DnD, A5E or lord of the rings 5e or ToV) that may address the issue, some rules supplement that may address it (like Up in Arms addresses some issues for WFRP 4e), or even complete other systems that may meet overall needs better, say Dragonbane or the like.

Fine for me, but people sometimes get funny about being told to play another game.

 

[Hussar]

In this instance, I kind of cheated- while her outfit is classic sword & sorcery, Jennifer Kale is actually a Marvel Comics character who debuted in the 20th century. She's actually the cousin of Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider) and an ally of the Man-Thing.

But yes, fantasy (and official D&D) art are chock full of female spellcasters in similar outfits. I can only presume they use cantrips such as prestidigitation to eliminate unwanted body hair. As to why women in a fantasy setting chose to do so...well it's called fantasy for a reason!

Note: I know that while it was in vogue for many years, there are individuals who are less than pleased with "cheesecake" and sexualizing women (don't ask how hold Jennifer Kale was when she first wore that outfit!). I don't advocate or even suggest that characters in D&D actually dress this way- it's terribly impractical, where do you keep your spell components? People everywhere should dress in a way that is comfortable and practical for them! Also, think of the children!

One thing I loved about the Scarred Lands setting is that they actually had an in universe explanation for scantily clad casters. Casting generated all kinds of heat - to the point where it would start to impose penalties on the caster if they didn't cool off. So, all casters (arcane casters anyway) had essentially "tear away" stripper robes that they could drop as a bonus action to mitigate the penalty.

Which mean that you had lots of elderly men (stereotypical wizard) with long beards, standing in the nearly nude casting spells in most of the art for Scarred Lands. Absolutely loved they inverted the trope.

 

[Cadence]

I think mainly suggesting near systems (e.g. for DnD, A5E or lord of the rings 5e or ToV) that may address the issue, some rules supplement that may address it (like Up in Arms addresses some issues for WFRP 4e), or even complete other systems that may meet overall needs better, say Dragonbane or the like.

I find it a bit odd that a house rule to fix something could be unhelpful, but if someone were to publish the house rule on DnD Beyond it would be a good fix. (How much of a budget is needed to make a heartbreaker a game system?)

That being said, I certainly agree that the things that work for getting buy in to try something very greatly from person to person - and that I would probably be annoyed by needing several pages of house rules if I didn't really trust the DM.