TSR's "subliminal" message about PC power level

[Glyfair]

Okay, and however one most enjoys the game form is fine, and unassailable by any other player who enjoys a different aspect. What is off base is someone stating one form or another is superior to all others. Such assertions are quite ridiculous, for we are considering the play of a game

I have to admit, my personal philosophy has always been that there is no perfect RPG (contrary to many people claiming theirs is the perfect RPG). There is only the perfect RPG for a specific person.

I've personally come to D&D 3E after deciding there isn't a perfect RPG for me, with this being quite reasonable based on my tastes and preferences and having a large player base to draw from.

Most arguments and problems I've seen come from two things. One is groups with incompatible players. The other is from players who insist on looking for the perfect RPG. Anything in an RPG that doesn't meet their exact standards "sucks." Usually they don't find that RPG, but sometimes they do and are disappointed when they can't find enough players that agree with him (or at least enough to sit down to play).

The real challenge isn't finding the best game, it's finding the best group and the right game for that group.

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Hi Mycanid,

There is very little chance of successfully analyzing enjoyment coupled with emotions from the past. About the best one can do is to say ot was or was not "great." some things are indescribable in words, although allusions to shared feelings are sometimes a worthwhile communication tool.

As for your somments about my bringing enjoyment to you and many others, I am most pleased to have been able to do so, and I certanly have had my chate of the same enjoyment in the creation and play

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Mycanid]

SCORE!

I agree Glyfair - even agree 100%!

It's the "right" people. I would even add the "right timing". This is one of the intangibles. It's almost like musicians playing and/or singing together. Certain combinations in certain types of music just FIT together well at certain moments. Those moments are precious and, just as with musicians' performance being enhanced a step or two above their normal level of output when the "chemistry" with others "hits", it is the same with gamers. When the right chemistry (implying many different elements) "hits" the game is taken for or so short and sweet a moment into a ... err ... higher? fuller? sweeter? more real? ... level. And those moments make it worth it. Obviously then, as music bands form with others they have good chemistry with, gaming groups similiarly form. The analogy could go on and on.

But - lets see those G1-3 stats for Gleep Wurp and company....

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Hi Glyfair,

Actually, I get tired of my own favolrite game designs after a while, look for and enjoy playing those of others', whether RPGs or some other form of game. What you state about having the right group of fellow players, or opponent in a two-person game, is quite accurate.

Cheers,
Gary

 

[Mycanid]

Hey Gary - I know what you mean. It IS quite difficult - near impossible at times. It is not an end in itself per se, but it is something I regularly keep my "eye on" on the "backburner". But that is not important. (Thank you for your thoughts though. )

But I do it anyway (and have been doing so consciously for the last 20 years or so).

I agree with you about mixing things up and changing ... err ... genres and the like. It works.

STATS?! G1-3 stats? I'd post em but I don't have em with me!

 

[Treebore]

About this stats thing. I have always recognized that the vast majority of players like to play high stat characters, and so do I. So in my games I make sure they can with my stat generation method. Then I also have in game rules allowing the PC's to "work out" or "study intensively" usually during winter months of the campaign or down time between adventures. These opportunities allow them a roll to try and increase the stat they are working on, maxing out at racial maximums. One roll per month, minimum of one month to try. Each failed roll gives a +1 if they also train the next month.

Players want (usually) high stat characters, so why fight it? Especially, since as DM, the NPC's can have whatever stat I want them to. As long as the DM is savvy enough to maintain the "balance of power" there is now reason to force a player to play a character they don't like. Its counter to the whole reason to game, fun.

 

[Col_Pladoh]

I want to sdee the pregens in question because IIRR I made them up out of thin air to give players the fun of playing powerful PCs in the demi-campaign, something most necessary in the D-series

Cheers,
Gary

 

[MerricB]

G'day, Gary!

From Against the Giants:
Gleep Wurp - H MU12 - S10 I16 W12 D15 C16 Ch13
Cloyer Bulse - H T13 - S12 I14 W11 D18 C15 Ch15
Roaky Swerked - H C12 - S16 I10 W18 D12 C16 Ch17
Frush O'Suggill - H F14 - S17 I11 W10 D14 C17 Ch13
Fonkin Hoddypeak - E F5/MU8 - S15 I15 W9 D18 C16 Ch18
Flerd Trantle - H C9 - S14 I12 W16 D17 C16 Ch18
Redmod Dumple - D F9 - S 18/74 I11 W8 D15 C17 Ch8
Faffle Dwe'o-mercraeft - H MU9 - S16 I18 W17 D17 C15 Ch12
Beek Gwenders - 1/2E R9 - S15 D14 W16 D17 C18 Ch16

Cheers!

 

[Mycanid]

Thanks Merric

 

[Quasqueton]

Many of the Rogues Gallery stats are bogus ones, made up by Brian Blume when the players concerned to give him their PC stats. Amongst others, I know Ernie and I refused, and I believe that Rob did as well.

I must note that the stats for Mordenkainen and Bigby in the 'Fantastic Adventure module are also not the actual ones of either PC at the time. Of course as my principal DM, Rob would not publish those without my permission.

I've seen you say this before, but I don't understand the reasonings/concerns with publishing a character's stats. Why so secretive with a D&D character's stats?

Quasqueton