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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Irda Ranger" data-source="post: 179810" data-attributes="member: 1003">I play D&D because it is fun. I like to wade into combat, cast those powerful spells, or sneak up behind bad guys and do lots of damage. What’s important to me, and to others I think, is that something happens every round. I take a little damage. I take a lot. Sometimes I miss, but not by much. I know I will hit next round, even if it doesn’t kill the guy. This form of combat is pretty predictable in that I know relatively how long my character can last in a fight. I have playtested with Ken Hood’s rules too. They are well written and mesh well with 3e. However, what I have found is is that there are (when fighting people of similar level) long periods where nothing happens. Very good defense scores means that rounds go by without anyone hitting anybody. Sure, there is action going on for the PCs (they swing, they dodge, swords miss by a hair’s breath), but there is no visible action for the players. Rounds just go through in a quick succession of dice rolling. When they do hit though (and it’s almost a surprise when it happens), you’re halfway dead in one blow. If you’re high enough level you’re only a third of the way dead. This is very realistic I suppose. Vampire’s system where you get skill penalties when wounded is even more realistic. It’s not very fun though. That’s reality. I get plenty of reality all day. If I wanted a “realistic” fight I know several good martial arts and boxing dojos. I also live about 10 minutes away from some of the worst neighborhoods in my state. Plenty of reality there at 2 AM in dark alleys.Not many heroes though. I like being a hero. I like being able to walk up to a Fire Giant and spit on his shoe (I might even burn a Levitate spell just to spit in his eye). It’s Chutzpah. It’s fun. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------As for the HP argument, you guys are all focusing on the wrong thing (IMO). Cure Spells scale perfectly with weapon damage. i.e. neither change at all. If it makes you fell better call Cure Light Wounds Cure Longsword Slash. Cure Moderate Wounds can be Cure Greatsword Slash. Cure Serious Wounds would be Cure Being Mauled By Lions. Whether you’re a 1st level fighter or a 20th level one, one CLW spell puts you back in for one more sword hit. Works for me.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------There are several sound, well documented studies of what people like, from different industries and different disciplines of science. The publishing industry knows that Fantasy sells way more than Sci-Fi. It’s just an accepted truth. An author I know who writes both likes her Sci-Fi books better, but writes more Fantasy to “put food on the table.” Murder Mysteries set in ancient times or far away places sell better than ones in the present day. Books and movies where the hero is over-the-top cool are more attractive to the mass audience than imperfect, mortal, easily killed ones (otherwise how can you  explain what Arnold Schwarzenegger gets paid as opposed to Sean Penn). And before anyone gets on their high horse, ask yourself this: How many Arnie movies can you name? How many have you seen? How many times? What about Sean Penn? Sure, maybe some of you avoid anything with Arnie, Stallone or Snipes in it, but let’s face it. You’re a minority and you know it. This isn’t something to get upset over, for both you and me it’s a personal choice.As for levels v. incremental improvement, the Gambler’s Addiction is very true and well grounded in most of us. It’s what allowed our ancestors to keep throwing spears all day, without quitting, for that big payoff (dinner). It’s also why household chores are not fun for most folks. They’re regular and incremental. ------------------------------------------------------------------In the end though, you have to realize that it’s just a game. I like the way I play it. As long as you are having fun, who cares how you determine wounds and defense in your RPGs? I don’t. You can play it however you want. Just realize that most folks aren’t going to follow you. The farther you get the “D&D-isms” that make D&D a fun, easy break from the daily grind, they harder it will be to get a gaming group together. That’s just the truth. Ask anyone who looks at the posting boards in local gaming shops.Call them the lowest common denominator; call them the themes that unite us as humans. Call them whatever you want. Just don’t call Fantasy, Power-Levels or a desire to be Heroic stupid and inane. They’re fun. They're both escapist and rewarding. We like ‘em that way when we play games.Irda Ranger</blockquote>

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