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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SweeneyTodd" data-source="post: 2415096" data-attributes="member: 9391">Okay, this is helpful; it gives a clear picture of your style of play. I can see that you'd be miserable with light mechanics under this style of play. I mean, take away what the rules give you, there's nothing left!But the people who are advocating rules-light games Do Not Play This Style. Seriously. You said it yourself, it'd be miserable. I agree.And we're not arguing for it. I don't take it as a given at all that the GM imposes a predetermined, overarching plot arc on the players. I don't take it a given that the players only have control over the space within their PC's skin. I don't take it a given that the GM has any right at all to block creative input from the players except where the rules specifically give that power to the player.I agree with that completely. But I don't reach the same conclusion as you, because we're working on different assumptions. Players should absolutely be empowered to make meaningful decisions. I disagree that the only way they can do so is by being provided specific mechanical options. In a game that uses more abstract conflict resolution like HeroQuest, a fight might be resolved in one roll. But the player isn't just deciding "How do I fight", but "Do I fight at all, and why?" In games where the resolution mechanisms are more abstract, the mechanics are still a tool to make these meaningful decisions. I personally find that a lot more interesting than deciding whether to Grapple or Bull Rush a guy the GM has dictated I have to fight. Some rules-light games provide mechanisms for players to frame scenes and declare conflicts. Several include director-stance mechanics that allow players to directly alter the game world. These aren't systems that are trying to limit player power or decisionmaking at all.So to sum up, if- GM runs the characters through a preplanned story arc,- Players are only given meaningful decisions to make in tactical situations, and are creatively negated elsewhere,- System provides a wide variety of tactical options that the GM cannot negate,Oh heck yeah, you would want to use a complex tactical system. Otherwise you can't do anything! (And God forbid you're in a game like this and aren't interested in tactics.)But to be honest: Is anyone advocating this style of play here?</blockquote>

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