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Message: <blockquote data-quote="rushlight" data-source="post: 1552174" data-attributes="member: 3801">From my experience, he would probably not use the killer combos to their most effective.  Not intentionally, mind you - he would most likely "do what the character would do".  If that means bashing the guy who swung at you last (even if there is a more effective method or jucier target) then so be it, because that is how the player feels the character would react.  He's role playing.   A power-gamer wouldn't even consider what the character would do.  He'd look over the battlefield, ponder for a moment on the most effective target and combo, and them methodically implement it.  Is that what his character would do?  Would he really stop in the middle of a vicious melee (while being attacked by other people!) and figure, "hey, I could trip that mage and get an AoO - that's like a free hit!" and then run over and do it?  Most likely not.  Anyone who's done any swordplay in real life can tell you that your thought processes don't function like that in a real melee.  This player is roll-playing.  I don't think it's that the dislike it exactly.  It just doesn't suit them.  For instance:  I'm going to be playing in a new game a friend is starting.  I've decided to be a sorcerer.  I'm going to focus in ray spells only.  I'll be taking the feat Weapon Focus: Ray.  Is it effective?  Probably not - it's only +1.  It would be more effective to take a level of fighter, get the +1 and a feat.  But that's not what my character would do.  Besides the fact that I won't be taking a single area-effect spell.  Will I be the most effective mage ever?  Of course not - but that's not my goal.  My goal is to play the role I've chosen - a mage who likes to shoot things.   In other words, a role player derives pleasure from chosing a role and playing it, both it's successes and it's faults - he embraces and enjoys it all.  A roll-player generally has the objective of "winning the game" i.e., being the most effective smasher / shooter there is.  Sure, some probably add a veneer of personality ("My guy is the toughest guy around!") along with their desire to be the most effective smasher ever.  But if you suggest that he take the Endurance feat instead of Power Attack to show his toughness, he'll act like you asked him to cut off a leg.    That's probably because the character lost his "flavor".  To a role-player, flavor and style usually are more important that rules-based effectiveness. I'd like to say again that I don't think one style is better than the other - clearly the objective here is to have fun and both styles can be fun.  The problems only arrise when you've got a party with: Dozar "The Elf from the nether regions seeking to destroy evil!"Hazkak "The Dwarf child, eager to explore the world and bring glory to his family!"Three-Finger Eddie "The sneakiest theif with a heart of gold you'll ever lose your coin to!"andFighter "Let's see, 3 points of power attack for +6 damage because i'm using my sword 2-handed combined with my bonuses from..." That last guy will just really put a hurt on the game of the other three players.  Now if everyone is approaching the game as a tactical exercise, then there won't be any problems...</blockquote>

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