Trying again: What would it take to get _you_ to use core only?

[Abraxas]

No incentives needed - and I own all those other shiny books - its not like I had any disincentive to play before they came out.

 

[FalcWP]

I need the same thing to play core-only as I do to play with any or all books available:

A good DM, a good story, and friends who can all get together on the same night.

Might be because I haven't been playing since the 1970s, but I can still come up with new and interesting concepts right from the PHB. In fact, even when we're using other books, a lot of my concepts are core-based, though I occasionally want to add a particular feat or class for a little more flavor.

Beyond that, the only option on that list that I find at all interesting is the LA one.

 

[megamania]

If the group continues creating PCs with Prestige Classes that find loop holes I may. They are getting very good at finding classes that allow a combination (s) that give many powerful bonuses.

Dwarven Psy War / Fight/ Warmind/Metamind is a scarey combo at level 15.

 

[Patlin]

If you were to try a similar poll again, it might be worth considering that most people don't seem to read the first post to determine what the actual question is. They seem to go just based on the title.

 

[irdeggman]

If you were to try a similar poll again, it might be worth considering that most people don't seem to read the first post to determine what the actual question is. They seem to go just based on the title.

Or that the actual question (based on other posts) is not the one being asked.

The real issue here (as has been pointed out in earlier posts) is mixing a game.

Some players with non-core source material and some players with core-only source materials.


The question of how to reward core only playing is only germaine when there is a comparison within the same game. If everyone (including the DM) is playing core only then why should there be a need for an incentive at all? It only comes into play when someone doesn't have access to everything that other people do that the issue of "fairness" arises.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

No option available on the poll to represent my response. I don't NEED a carrot of any kind to accept the limitation of Core Rules only. I do not consider that any kind of imposition. I can ALWAYS play D&D and have as much fun playing strict Core Rules as having the kitchen sink available to me. For me, a fun character and campaign does not always have to rely on crunch alone. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it's key. But it isn't ever NECESSARY to be able to create an enjoyable character or enjoy the game itself.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

If the campaign were Core only and the DM asked me.

I don't like the idea that I need to be bribed to do what the DM would prefer.

I would find it much more bothersome that OTHER people need to be bribed to do what the DM would prefer. That says that what the DM prefers NEEDS compensation because it ISN'T otherwise palatable by anyone, or that the other players are so unimaginative and mercenary that it brings into question the viability of my playing in such a group for the long term.

 

[Felon]

I would find it much more bothersome that OTHER people need to be bribed to do what the DM would prefer. That says that what the DM prefers NEEDS compensation because it ISN'T otherwise palatable by anyone, or that the other players are so unimaginative and mercenary that it brings into question the viability of my playing in such a group for the long term.

I do agree with most of this, but it does get tedious to see how often folks around here throw out "unimaginative" as a label for a gamer who knows what he does or doesn't enjoy.

I can only guess that OP fancies his players to be a bunch of powergamers (munchkins, min-maxers, whatever) and that he feels some incentive shows him meeting them halfway. I can't fault a DM for trying compromise between what he wants to run and what others want to play, as long as he's up front about it.

 

[wildstarsreach]

I do agree with most of this, but it does get tedious to see how often folks around here throw out "unimaginative" as a label for a gamer who knows what he does or doesn't enjoy.

I can only guess that OP fancies his players to be a bunch of powergamers (munchkins, min-maxers, whatever) and that he feels some incentive shows him meeting them halfway. I can't fault a DM for trying compromise between what he wants to run and what others want to play, as long as he's up front about it.

Again I say, you have to go with Core as the standard and ask players what they are willing to give up in order to use the larger array of supplements. As previously stated, my DM gives x amount as Core and then less for other options.