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Message: <blockquote data-quote="fusangite" data-source="post: 2840780" data-attributes="member: 7240">The thing is that unlike most RPGs, D&D is suited to be played exclusively as a war game if the player so desires. In many ways, it is already an RPG-war game hybrid. Since the advent of 3E and the requirement that combat be mapped-out on a grid, D&D has essentially become an alternating series of strategic wargames (combat) and role-playing (the rest of the game), each comprising about 50% of the playing time. In addition, there are all the computer-based D&D adaptations that don't involve role-playing but nevertheless have a plot connecting a series of combat scenes. It is certainly possible to play D&D as a war game simply by under-utilizing certain sections of the rules without any modification to the game as a whole. Sometimes I do advise people not to use D&D to achieve certain objectives like unmediated player control over storyline, representation of low-magic worlds or historical role playing because there exist D&D rules that directly impair doing such things. But in my view, D&D rules do not present any real difficulties in representing a series of barely-connected combats interspersed with short railroading set-pieces like a videogame... or, the original game. Look at the first modules published for the game. How much role-playing do you imagine was involved in running B1 -- you know, the 1979 module with random assignments of monsters to rooms and not the slightest hint of a plot or anybody's motivation to doing what they're doing -- Search for the Unknown?Think back to when you were 10 playing this game. Wouldn't it have been fun to play a half-dragon, half-earth elemental nixie? Just making such a character would have been fun, even if I'd tired of it quickly. But then, there would be so many options so the next character I'd make, the Spinnagon Assassin Plane Shifter. Like it or not, we play a kids' game. We shouldn't begrudge people for playing the game like kids. To a greater or lesser extent, we all do that -- it's just a question of what aspect of being a kid we emphasize. Is it the chance to play pretend so well that it feels real? Sounds like that's what it is for you. Or is it the chance to imagine yourself as a magical creature with amazing lethal powers? Why should this way of acting like a kid be viewed as superior to your way?</blockquote>

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