D&D 5E Solving the 5MWD

[FrogReaver]

my experience has been 5MWD is the worst at low levels when PCs have very few resources, so I'd sooner get them to higher levels or just give them back their resources.

This is a good observation. I tend to play lower levels more often - levels 1 to 7.

 

[Vael]

Carrots don't entice they guy with a steak. You've got to top the steak in order to get him to give up the steak. But topping the steak leads to it's own problems. Maybe discuss that point instead of just repeating yourself?

I just don't buy it. Choice of magic items, or faster leveling are hardly inconsequential. Achievements and records are used by video games, and I know many a gamer that'll push to get them. So I just don't agree with your dismissal.

 

[FrogReaver]

I just don't buy it. Choice of magic items, or faster leveling are hardly inconsequential. Achievements and records are used by video games, and I know many a gamer that'll push to get them. So I just don't agree with your dismissal.

Then reread it with the thought that things like chosen magic items and even faster leveling are things that are better than the steak - and each cause their own issues.

 

[Vael]

Then reread it with the thought that things like chosen magic items and even faster leveling are things that are better than the steak - and each cause their own issues.

Yes, how horrible would it be that players actually want to play your game because they get rewarded to do so?

 

[FrogReaver]

Yes, how horrible would it be that players actually want to play your game because they get rewarded to do so?

that makes no sense.

 

[Vael]

that makes no sense.

You introduce a rule that punishes players for playing by denying them their resources, (recharging by leveling). So, I suggest rewarding players for playing the way you want them to, you say "that's either so inconsequential they won't bother (carrot) or too much rewards (cake on steak, or something)" and I'm thinking that it's such a first world problem to complain about players playing the way you want them to.

 

[FrogReaver]

You introduce a rule that punishes players for playing by denying them their resources, (recharging by leveling).

That's a mischaracterization. I don't deny them resources. I give them exactly the amount of resources they should have.

So, I suggest rewarding players for playing the way you want them to, you say "that's either so inconsequential they won't bother (carrot) or too much rewards (cake on steak, or something)" and I'm thinking that it's such a first world problem to complain about players playing the way you want them to.

Well at least you mentioned the point I made - still no addressing it though

 

[Lanefan]

That's a mischaracterization. I don't deny them resources. I give them exactly the amount of resources they should have.

"Should have" as defined by what?

The best thing for avoiding any short-workday problem - and I speak here from experience - is to have players (and thus by extension characters) who have extremely low boredom thresholds. Then, whenever they start resting too much, all you-as-DM need to do is make it boring and they'll get their characters doing something instead of resting.

Put another way, the answer is to encourage chaotic independent characters rather than lawful cautious team-first types.

 

[Ashrym]

I really shouldn't have to be pedantically specific to have any kind of real conversation.

You don't have to be. That seem more like a personal choice.

And what happens if a player insists on finding a resting opportunity? Do you allow him to do so or tell him he can't rest till he does the next part of the adventure?

The learn that they didn't pause the rest of the world at their insistence.

 

[Sadras]

5e doesn't work well for anything except dungeon delving - and pretty much any time you aren't dungeon delving or keeping the pressure extremely high for the day then casters are much too strong.

My level based system would work well for story driven or sandbox games. It would work well for dungeon delving or overland travel. It would work well for social city encounters. All while being able to accommodate any social/combat/exploration encounter rate that is thrown at the players.

This is not a 5MWD issue as much as it is a recovery issue. All you need to do is change up the recovery rate.

EDIT: There was a mammoth thread on Enworld discussing just this - a different resting mechanic which could accommodate any locale (dungeon, city, overland).