The top 100 'Sacred Cows' of Roleplaying

[KaosDevice]

#28. There is one superior game system to which all other systems are inferior. That one bugs the crap out of me.

 

[Rothe]

#17 Games shouldn't be realistic. Those who like realism don't realise that the point of the game is fun and realism isn't fun.

#18 It's only fun if it's new and 'original'. Things that have been done before are tres boring dahling.

#19 Hit points make sense and the correct rational explanation for them is MY explanation.

#20 Every gamer has his or her own style and it's impossible to teach someone to be a better roleplayer.

#21 Quality in RPGs is entirely subjective.

I could go on, but I'll try and control myself.

I'll second that.

 

[Rystil Arden]

Nope. That's the entire reason for Rule 0 IMO. To allow DM's to smooth over bumps and get on with the game. Someone needs to have final authority and that someone needs to be the DM.

However, when the DM starts to abuse that authority and then points to Rule 0, that's the sacred cow that needs to be turned into kibbles. Rule 0 has been touted to mean that the DM is ALWAYS right. This is simply not true. Rule 0 is a means of conflict resolution, not carte blanche for every DM with a penchant for megalomania. Perhaps I should rephrase:

13. The DM is infallible.

Ah, then I will admit that I disagreed with the original, but I definitely agree with the new version

 

[jodyjohnson]

#29 If you are having a problem in the game it's because the DM is lazy or unfit for the chair.

 

[Odhanan]

#30: The rules as written (i.e. RAW) are laws at the game table. They have to be followed by everyone including the DM. Corollary: A houserule presented by a DM or player is automatically flawed and sucks (i.e. players should never come up with their own prestige classes, equipment or races, DMs can't modify aspects of the system or the game would fall apart, etc).

 

[Odhanan]

#31: Powergaming is the opposite of role-playing. Someone who likes his/her character to have nifty powers has a problem with RP and will role-play less, i.e. powerful characters can't be played believably and dramatically (yeah, right).
Corollary: Rules and Role-playing are opposites of each other. Someone who likes game mechanics is a bad role-player, and someone who likes drama in RPG can't understand rules systems.
Second Corollary: "Rules-light" means "more role-playing" and/or "more believable".

(As a side note, this one explains why I dislike the word "munchkin", or "gros bill" in French. This term invariably brings people back to this sacred cow that deserves to be slaughtered)

 

[Odhanan]

#32: Dungeons are bad for role-playing. Dungeon exploration is invariably hack'n'slash, so no interesting role-playing situations can occur in a dungeon. Dungeons are for kids. Evolved role-players have moved on.

 

[Agent Oracle]

I think some of you are confused about what a Sacred Cow is.

In Hinduism, the cow is considered sacred and its protection is a recurrent theme in which she is symbolic of abundance, of the sanctity of all life and of the earth that gives much while asking nothing in return. Most Hindus respect the cow as a matriarchal figure for her gentle qualities and providing nurturing milk and its products for a largely vegetarian diet. Hindus do not worship the cow, a common misconception, yet it holds an honoured place in society and most will not eat beef in general.

Many people are posting gripes, (powergamers != roleplayers, one game to rule them all, all house rules automaticly suck, Any problems are the fault of the DM, etc.) when what we are looking for is the things that nurture the game and cause it to be as popular as it is, even if they don't quite make sense. Ergo: I propose these:

32: Your finces are universally accepted, reguardless of country of origin. Gold coins could spend thousands of years in a jug at the bottom of the sea, if you pull them up, they still spend the same.

33: Every tavern has a rat infestation. Most likely, it's because of that goblin hoarde, which happens to be a frontline for those orcs... who are working for the drow in the secret city beneath the tavern.

 

[Rystil Arden]

(Actually, we know what a sacred cow is, but the OP is not really looking for sacred cows, per se. Things he wants may *also* be sacred cows, but he is looking for firmly established dogmas held by significant minorities that are pet peeves)

 

[Hussar]

34. Games which are based on more classic forms of a particular genre are automatically more mature than anything based on what is currently popular.

35. Any idea can automatically be countered by saying that it is video-gamey

36. Any idea can automatically be countered by comparing it to anime.

37. Any idea can automatically be countered by comparing it to any other popular genre which the person doesn't particularly like (or have any direct contact with.)