Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Swarmkeeper" data-source="post: 9640745" data-attributes="member: 6921763">Inspired by the latest turn that the [rant] thread has taken...Let's talk about linear and/or/vs sandbox campaign styles!So, first, let's back up and define "campaign" for our discussion purposes:Campaign:  1. The DM decides on a campaign setting, be it published or homebrewed or a bit of each, and pitches it to some players2. The DM outlines the campaign guidelines, including table etiquette, where and when they'll meet, ruleset/books available, house rules, etc.3. The DM describes how character creation will be accomplished including any limitations and latitudes4. LG!Note:  Yes, of course, the DM might do all the heavy lifting and just present this to be accepted/rejected, or it could be a true group collaboration, or it could be the DM doing most of the work but with some input from players, or...Heck, let's back up further and define "D&D" at its very simplistic basic core regardless of edition for our discussion purposes:D&D:1. The DM describes a scene2. The players decide how they want their characters to act, think, or speak in relation to said scene3. The DM narrates the outcome of the characters' activity, using dice when appropriate4. Back to 1, with the scene having changed as a result of the characters' activityNow, what is a sandbox and what is a linear adventure?  Based on personal experience and much that I've gleaned here from the good people of ENWorld*, I'm beginning to think there is probably a spectrum here not just a binary "either/or".  The amount of prep work and the amount of improv can vary wildly and is not necessarily correlated with the type of campaign styleI'm going to take a leap and assign some descriptors to the campaign styles here but... I'm not wedded to any of them so suggest away with edits, additions, deletions, fusions...Basic Linear adventure:A --> B --> C<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">DM has prepared several locations/situations</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The players pick up on the hooks laid down by the DM and progress through them in a prescribed order</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sometimes pejoratively referred to as a "railroad", sometimes realistically described as a "railroad"</li> </ul>Moderate Linear adventure:A --> B --> DorA --> C --> D- Same as basic only there is more than one way to get from start to finishAdvanced Linear adventure:A, B, C, D (or more) are on the table<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Players go about it in any order they want</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Ultimately, A is the start and D is the end, B or C (and more) may or may not be optional to complete D</li> </ul>Basic Sandbox adventure:Hmm... maybe possibly indistinguishable from the Advanced Linear Adventure?Moderate Sandbox adventure:A, B, C, D (and more... perhaps many more) are on the table<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The DM has prepared A, B, C, D but otherwise just has a map with a bunch of places to explore</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The players choose whichever location/situation they want their PCs to explore</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If it is one the DM has prepared, nice!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If it is one the DM has not prepared, improv or random encounter table!</li> </ul>Advanced Sandbox adventure:A, B, C, D (and more... many more) are on the table<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The DM has prepared it all.  This person does not require sleep and/or is independently wealthy and/or is retired.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The players choose whichever location/situation they want their PCs to explore</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">LG!</li> </ul>Ultimate Sandbox adventure:There's a map with all the things<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The players choose whichever location/situation they want their PCs to explore</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">IMPROV!</li> </ul>*I currently do not have time to do much with D&D aside from my own campaigns and some (occasionally too much) ENWorld reading so... if someone has some great video or blog suggestions on the topic, I'd be willing to check it out.</blockquote>

Verification