So, I've decided that I hate roleplaying

[Orryn Emrys]

I learned a long time ago that you have to let players role play the way they want, as long as it doesn't become a (real) problem for someone else.

As a life-long DM, I've always had a pretty solid knack for blending my players' stylistic interests. My groups tend to weigh heavily on the roleplaying side (perhaps too much so, at times), so the longer they play together the easier it gets.

That being said, my wife and I recently tried a 4E game with another group and discovered that there is definitely something to be said for player compatibility. We really enjoyed the company of the DM and the other two players, and we have endeavored to hang out a little outside of gaming, but we just weren't a good match at the gaming table. We were too RP-oriented, they were too interested in combat and powergaming... and we just didn't make a comfortable group. We tried... for almost three months, we tried.

Sometimes it's best to know when it isn't what you want and find a better option.

 

[Pbartender]

This pretty much sums up my playing style, too. I don't mind the occasional roleplaying or intrigue, but I like it in small doses to taste, and the combat/hack-n-slash is the staple.

It's too bad you don't live closer to Chicago... I've got an open seat at my table right now.

Lately, my players have taken to humming the theme to the A-Team, every time they kick down a door, and rush in with steel swinging and spells blazing.

 

[Celebrim]

Takes all kinds.

I don't think I've met a RPer with as extreme of preference as you voice here, but its not unusual for a group to have different parts of the game that they enjoy the best.

It sounds to me like you aren't really a RPer at heart. Sounds to me like you are a wargamer, and you don't want any 'make believe' mucking up your game. I suggest sticking to tactical minature games - Battletech, Bloodbowl, DBM, etc. - if you really want face time gaming. Otherwise, you are probably just as well sticking to WoW.

 

[Blackbrrd]

I had a Tuesday game that you would have liked, it was 80% combat and I ran it in 4e because I like the tactical aspect of 4e combat.

To get a game like YOU want you basically have two options:
a) get a DM to run a game like you want it
b) be the DM and run it like you want it

BTW, I do run a game with more role playing as well, and it's mostly the same people, but I run it at weekends. I do prefer the role playing, but if I don't have enough prep time, the combat-oriented game works quite well.

 

[Nifft]

Maybe it's because during the past year I stopped playing D&D and started playing WoW, but it's now my view that someone who hurts their party for "roleplay reasons" is a total jerk and doesn't belong in the group.

I've never played WoW, and I agree that anyone who hurts their party for "roleplay reasons" is a jerk who gets the boot. I've felt this way since 1e, when the party's thief tried to justify picking the cleric's pocket.

So my friend wanted to try Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and kept saying how great it is and hyping it. So I've given it a shot for about a month now. And I hate it. The system is alright and a unique take, but it encourages so much roleplay and "narrative" that it disgusts me. Since my friend is big into the roleplay aspect, to the point where he dislikes 4e for it's base "heavy combat, light roleplay" mentality, he finds this great. I find it boring as hell. I like my roleplay light and my combat heavy, since combat is where I have the most fun. My friend is the kind I described above, where it's not "roleplaying" unless I'm talking in first person, and he loves how WHFRP pushes the roleplay even to the point of this "party tension" nonsnese that hinders you if you can't agree on something. He even said he loves the system because it focuses on "the party narrative" which just makes me want to barf.

My group plays WFRP 3e as combat-heavy. Sure, PCs die easy, but it's not like it's hard to make a new one.

So... what can I do? I've noticed that lately, I don't even have a desire to play RPGs because I want to avoid the roleplay except where absolutely necessary (or the occasional witty remark during combat, things like that), and as far as the combat goes I feel I'd rather be playing WoW because there's no "house rules" to muck things up because someone doesn't agree with the RAW.

Stop playing with that one "friend" whose style doesn't fit your own.

Start playing combat-heavy, tactical, beer & pretzels RPGs.

Cheers, -- N

 

[wayne62682]

I've just found, over the years, that I have no interest in really "immersive" roleplaying. Now yeah, I don't want mindless hack and slash of the WoW variety where NPCs exist only to give quests, rewards, and sell junk to. But I do prefer the combat and action to sitting there speaking in first person for half the session to a guard. That's not to say I wouldn't roleplay at all, but basically I prefer this:

DM: The guard stops you and asks you where you're going in such a hurry.
Me: I explain to him that I have urgent news for the Duke - an army of goblins are gathered and threaten to destroy the town, and that it's of the utmost importance that he lets me pass.
DM: Okay, make me a Diplomacy check.

To this:

DM: The guard approaches you and motions for you to stop. "Halt! Where are you going in such a hurry?"
Me: "Pardon me, my good guardsman. I bear an urgent message for the Duke. My companions and I discovered a tribe of vile goblins massing and they threaten to overrun our fair town! I implore you, let me be on my way!"
DM: Make a Diplomacy check

The second one feels, I hate to say it, like way too much time and effort. The first example is much more my preference, and still involves "role playing"

 

[roguerouge]

The key words to use when you're looking are: "Beer and Pretzels" gamer looking for "kick in the door" style game.

And first-person vs. third person narration is a style thing at various tables. Usually, you'll find it's a mix of both to varying degrees.

 

[Pbartender]

The key words to use when you're looking are: "Beer and Pretzels" gamer looking for "kick in the door" style game.

Our group likes to call it "semi-casual" gaming.

 

[Piratecat]

See if you can find D&D Encounters running near you. It's focused on combat encounters and might be good fun. I agree with other people that you just need the right group; there are lots of folks who like the same style.

 

[Aberzanzorax]

Relevant question:

Are RPGA events still sponsored by "random people" rather than game stores only?

If so, are encounters available from these events?



I ask because I used to run RPGA events for my group, but had the option to allow others to come. Maybe the OP could get around the "no gaming store issue" and hit some combat heavy 4e encounters via the RPGA?


EDIT TO ADD: Do you enjoy wow? I started playing it last year and went from spending close to 100% of my free time on RPGS to about 85% WoW and 15% RPGS. If you like it more, then your answer is simple. It's not like you're abandoning RPGs, you're just moving toward something you enjoy more.