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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ilbranteloth" data-source="post: 7167198" data-attributes="member: 6778044">Well, I've been playing this game for a long time (like @<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=996" target="_blank">Tony Vargas</a>) and it's not a playstyle that I would consider common. So it's taken me a while to understand (and I think I do).Personally, I think you're putting a lot of emphasis on trying to avoid something that's a pretty integral part of the game design (DM input), and that's the sort of thing that for many people pushes you outside of the realm of what they consider D&D (or an RPG). That doesn't make it wrong, just not what folks are used to.Without DM input during the game, you essentially have a choose-your-own-adventure. TSR even published a few fairly complex solo adventures that didn't require a DM at all. It would be quite possible to take a published adventure, and rewrite it to work without a DM. The problem is, for most folks, they just aren't that fun or interesting. They didn't sell well, and ultimately don't feel like D&D (or an RPG for that matter).You're going to find further trouble from many gamers, because a lot of the players that are so focused on the rules, rather than the game, are rules lawyers. Much like a rules lawyer, you're attempting to reduce the fun of the DM, and potentially other players. Never a problem if you're all on the same page and that's the way you like to play. But you probably won't find as many supporters outside of that.It's not that people think improvisation is acceptable-and-desirable, it's generally something that's required of a DM. It's part of what defines the game, and also differentiates it from things like computer games, video games, card games, board games, you name it. That's kind of the point of the game, is that it's much more than a board game. Of all of the players of D&D, the DM typically puts in the most work, and then you're hamstringing them by taking away one of their primary responsibilities and a big part of what makes being a DM fun. I still have an issue with your terminology too, because not only are you saying that the DM can't do a big part of their job (and potentially the most enjoyable part), but you're also using a negative term to describe what the DM does. As I said in an earlier post, I highly doubt that the "majority of the people you meet" actually care, much less have thought about it. I know that most people I talk to about game design, DM techniques, playstyle, etc. listen more out of courtesy than really understanding it or caring about it one way or the other.  I'm also not surprised that the majority of people you play with prefer that - as I said, that's my experience too. Because those are the sort of people I attract, and the sort that I want to play with. They are both sample sizes far too small to be representative.Your play style sounds quite consistent with board games. But after DMing for 35+ years, and I think folks like @<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=29398" target="_blank">Lanefan</a> and @<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=996" target="_blank">Tony Vargas</a> who are also long term players will agree from their experiences, DM input, creativity and improvisation is a core part of the game, and many would probably view the removal of that aspect moving to the edge of what they would consider D&D. So no, I don't think it's consistent with how many people have played D&D, or RPGs for that matter. In fact, the trend in RPGs in general, particularly starting on the indie side, has been more creative input, from the players and the GM. Even 5e is following that trend in part by a much simplified rule-set, and bringing the role of adjudication back to a larger part of the DMs role. This is not only in line with the current RPG trends, but a throwback to OD&D/AD&D/BECMI and the roots of the hobby as a whole.Edit: I just wanted to reiterate that I don't think the way you are playing it is "wrong." And really, kudos to anybody doing something different. A lot of games, and even RPG subgenera (didn't know that was a word, or if it's the right now - autocorrect did it), have been created by people playing the game the way they like to. It's entirely possible the relatively recent boom in D&D board games may be the result of people playing D&D the way you do. It's not the way I'd play, but it doesn't mean there isn't good food for thought, or even techniques or ideas that can be used elsewhere.</blockquote>

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