Roleplaying is fun!

[Kzach]

So, I've been pretty heavily into running and playing 4e ever since it came out. In fact, I'd probably say I've done more gaming in the last year and a half than I have in the twenty years previous.

And I've had a lot of fun. I love the tactical skirmish aspect of the game. I love the tightly balanced rules. I love the myriad of options and how easy it is to prepare and run a game.

But I haven't really done much roleplaying with it. At least, not the type of roleplaying that results in belly-laughs and memorable events and fun NPC's. The type of stuff you quote on forums and in conversation with fellow geeks years later.

Until last night, that is.

I DM'd for a new face-to-face group. I decided to go totally 'on the fly'. I only came prepared with the barest minimum of essentials. One player was new to roleplaying and another two were new to the system (4e).

But we all had a blast. For the first time in ages, we had some really fun roleplaying encounters with some great memorable moments. Everyone laughed a lot and we finished up the session all agreeing we want to play again next week.

It reminded me of a couple of important things that I think everyone should remember about the hobby. Roleplaying doesn't require rules, and it's the most fun you can have with a group of people with their clothes on

 

[Wormwood]

Grats, man---sounds like a kickass session!

edit: dammit! (You must spread some Experience Points around before giving it to Kzach again)

 

[weem]

Try this again (had a big response typed out when my computer decided it didn't want to be on anymore) :/

So yea, that's good to hear!

My 4e campaigns (i finished one a few months ago and I'm 9 games into my second) are what we call "RP focused". The focus is on the story and the characters. Players know before starting in my campaigns that sessions with no combat are not uncommon. I had a few periods in my first 4e campaign where we went more than 1 session in a row without combat.

Of course, as I said, they knew that going into the campaign - and in fact I hand pick my players for those types of campaigns (we have a lot of players to choose from out here). I choose players who are more into the story and RP aspects. We enjoy combat, and 4e does it well, but it's not the focus.

Glad to see you are getting in some good RP as well

 

[Perram]

While my games aren't played in 4e... I agree completely that Role Playing all by itself is amazing fun. In my home campaign its the norm for us to go several sessions in a row just RPing out our characters and the world around us.

I wouldn't change it for anything.

 

[Henry]

To be honest, that face-to-face is what tabletop still has over computer RPGs that you just can't replace, and it's why I believe that the hobby shrinks and grows over time, but it's not likely to completely go away (well, at least until the machines stick us all in glass tubes for food and force us into virtual avatars, and even then I'm betting some of us will still be playing tabletop RPGs in the Matrix. )

 

[Wombat]

RPGs are all about the roleplaying, as far as I am concerned. I love hearing it when other gamers have a good time actually getting into their roles, whether in my own game or someone else's, when monsters/opponents become Foes rather than a collection of stats to knock down.

Heck, I was roleplaying before rpgs -- my time with boardgames and miniatures battles involved investing personalities into counters and units to make it more amusing/interesting. I guess that is why rpgs appeal to me so much in general.

Glad you had such a wonderful time!

 

[I'm A Banana]

I love the RP.

Though I don't know why this wall between "RP" and "the rest of the game" keeps coming into play. For me, the rules facilitate role playing, and vice-versa, in a brilliant positive feedback loop, when things are working at their best.

I mean, think of the D&D concept of class! I want to play the role of "magical sage," I become a Wizard. The rules for the class help me to play the role of "magical sage" (when they're workin' right).

I couldn't have fun in D&D without the role playing, since strategy and victory don't give me the buzz I'm looking for, even with a group.

Sounds like you had a fun session, and I'm glad you've experienced the great high that pretending to be a magic elf in dragon land with a few other dorks can produce. That's D&D's biggest selling point, IMO.

 

[Ed_Laprade]

Grats, man---sounds like a kickass session!

edit: dammit! (You must spread some Experience Points around before giving it to Kzach again)

Got you covered.

 

[Chainsaw]

It reminded me of a couple of important things that I think everyone should remember about the hobby. Roleplaying doesn't require rules, and it's the most fun you can have with a group of people with their clothes on

Good call.. Two weeks ago, my 4E group played for six hours and had a single hour long battle. It was fun! My guy's a not so bright, not so classy ratcatcher turned treasure hunter. We had a blast watching him explain to Lord so-and-so why he was qualified to marry the guy's daughter. Same guy blows all his dough on total crap, like a cape with his image on it, a golden mug with his image on it. I know some other players were probably like, "Dude, that's crazy, you could be buying an extra plus on your weapon," but that's just not how I roll. I have the best time when I'm goofing off!

 

[Jhaelen]

I DM'd for a new face-to-face group. I decided to go totally 'on the fly'. I only came prepared with the barest minimum of essentials. One player was new to roleplaying and another two were new to the system (4e).

But we all had a blast. For the first time in ages, we had some really fun roleplaying encounters with some great memorable moments. Everyone laughed a lot and we finished up the session all agreeing we want to play again next week.

Hey, Kzach, what's up with you? This sounds like there's still hope for you

Now, really, DMing seems to be really good for you! I hope you'll continue to have as much (or even more) fun!