D&D 5E To capitalize or not to capitalize

[Lakesidefantasy]

Back in my Pathfinder days, I stopped using italics for spells because I wanted to be able to scan a stat block and see what magic items would be detected when Players' cast Detect Magic. (Pathfinder stat blocks italicize anything magical, both spells and magic items). I started using capitals for spell names so I could quickly see individual spells within a compact list (my mind barrels right over those teeny, tiny commas).

This all got me into the habit of capitalizing game terms during message board discussions, but only in serious discussions. It helps me keep track of my thoughts, and (I hope) it circumvents confusion.

I'm nowhere near consistent; but I think I generally capitalize feats, skills, spells, ability scores, features, and things like Armor Class, Speed, and Hit Points. I don't think I would capitalize classes and races. They don't seem to be game 'termy' enough for me. Though I think I would capitalize archetypes, like Champion and Eldritch Knight. Hmm, go figure.

However, special cases call for special considerations. For instance: A rogue barbarian who left his clan to become a barbarian Fighter, would often be seen in the streets at fisticuffs with whole slews of Barbarian fighters.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

I would also like to see abbreviations for books and such spelled out with the abbreviation in the first mention. A new book comes out and the first time I see something, I have no idea what people are talking about- Forgotten Realms (FR). That one is more easy, but I hate looking stuff up.

Death to initialisms and acronyms!

When I'm putting ink on paper, I'll use them. Otherwise, I'm on a personal crusade against them.

They, trip, me, up, so, badly. My mind has to STOP at each one and say-the-words! Please! have a little sympathy for dyslexics like me!

Or not, doesn't matter, I'll cope.

 

[Yaarel]

It looks like D&D style italicizes the names of spells and magic items. If these names were also officially capitalized, that would be more helpful. In any case, I continue to capitalize the names of spells in my own discussions.

I tend to write "a +1 Sword" or "a Sword +1", rather than "a +1 sword". For me, the +1 is part of thename, not normally an adjective.


I try to avoid acronyms. I even tend to write out Players Handbook, DMs Guide, and Monster Manual. Then I write out Tashas, Xanathars, Mordenkainens, and Volos.

The rulebooks I can figure out. But when people refer to the adventure campaigns by the acronyms, that can be noncommunicative.

 

[turnip_farmer]

I would also like to see abbreviations for books and such spelled out with the abbreviation in the first mention. A new book comes out and the first time I see something, I have no idea what people are talking about- Forgotten Realms (FR). That one is more easy, but I hate looking stuff up.

God I hate abbreviations. Online discussions rapidly become impossible to follow if you don't carefully keep up with every publication that 'WotC' farts out.

'Well, that hasn't been the case since SSoO came out; and even before that there are rules in YARRoB that make the BotWGaF system irrelevant'.

Deciphering work emails is easier than this.

 

[mrpopstar]

Using acronyms for the titles of officially published material also presents an obstacle for newcomers. There’s nothing less inviting than technical jargon when you’re seeking answers or a community’s embrace. In many ways it’s a gate that excludes when really we want to be welcoming with open arms!

 

[Rabulias]

As for abbreviations, I try to spell out titles or names fully at the first mention, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses (for example, Player's Handbook (PHB)), and using the abbreviation throughout the rest of my post/message.

I am reminded of the (apocryphal?) story of two people arguing about the virtues of a film, referred to only by its abbreviation (PotC), before they realized one was discussing Passion of the Christ and the other was talking about Pirates of the Caribbean!

 

[Umbran]

You Should Avoid Capitalization.

YoU cOUld AlwaYs TRy raNdOm CapITaLizAtIOn.

OR YOU CAN EMBRACE THE MADNESS AND MAKE EVERYTHING ALL-CAPS!

 

[mrpopstar]

WHAT'S WITH ALL THE SCREAMING IN HERE!?

 

[Lanefan]

I tend to write "a +1 Sword" or "a Sword +1", rather than "a +1 sword". For me, the +1 is part of thename, not normally an adjective.

That's another way I use capitals for distinctiveness: in my own writings or in party treasuries magic items are always capitalized, non-magic items are not.