D&D General Wizard vs Fighter - the math

[FrogReaver]

If they can get the same reward for taking the lowest risk option, why would they do anything else? The 5MWD has always been an issue if the DM caters to it.

In my campaigns? No risk = no reward.

So what’s the reward of an 8 str, 8 dex and 8 con fighter?

 

[Oofta]

So what’s the reward of an 8 str, 8 dex and 8 con fighter?

Bob the commoner? I don't understand the question at all.

 

[Pedantic]

So what’s the reward of an 8 str, 8 dex and 8 con fighter?

That's a bit of a non-sequitur in a discussion about time pressure and resource schedules, yeah?

 

[FrogReaver]

That's a bit of a non-sequitur in a discussion about time pressure and resource schedules, yeah?

Seems applicable to me.

 

[Mort]

Seems applicable to me.

How?

I mean the "reward" for playing a suboptimal character is the challenge of playing a suboptimal character and seeing if the character can still survive. But:

D&D is, generally, a team game. If you bring in such a character without the consent of the group and such a character detracts from their fun (say by making all the challenges more difficult than they otherwise would be), that's a problem.

 

[Tony Vargas]

So what’s the reward of an 8 str, 8 dex and 8 con fighter?

That's not the lowest risk option. Well, lowest risk for the monsters...

 

[Minigiant]

If they can get the same reward for taking the lowest risk option, why would they do anything else? The 5MWD has always been an issue if the DM caters to it.

In my campaigns? No risk = no reward.

Not same reward. Just one whose benefits outright the benefits of continuing.

The only modification I've made is that the PCs can't attack anything outside of the tiny hut. Other than that? Want to hide in plain sight for 8 hours so the enemy can get ready to attack when it expires? Go ahead, it gives the enemy time to prep.

Like I said before, the time usually isn't enough to prepare anything meaningful for 90% of monsters who lack conjuration or illusion (mimicking conjuration) spell.

 

[Oofta]

Not same reward. Just one whose benefits outright the benefits of continuing.


Like I said before, the time usually isn't enough to prepare anything meaningful for 90% of monsters who lack conjuration or illusion (mimicking conjuration) spell.

EDIT ... nm

I've challenged groups with non-magical enemies up to level 20. Stating that you can't doesn't make it so.

 

[FrozenNorth]

The Hut doesn't protect horses, other pack animals etc.

Only an issue if the characters are mounted or have pack animals, which is quite rare.

The Hut is active for a very specific time then drops - more intelligent predators could easily figure that out and time a very effective surprise attack.

No they can’t. If an intelligent predator comes upon a dome of force in the wilderness, they don’t know squat.
First, « intelligent predator » doesn’t mean knowledgeable about 3rd level wizard spells.
Second, even assuming the predator recognizes the spell, he doesn’t know if the dome was placed 5 minutes ago or 7 hours ago. Sitting around for 7 hours hoping for a meal generally isn’t a great idea.
Third, suppose the intelligent predator decides to wait. He won’t last very long as the party can just snipe at him from inside the dome which he can’t breach (or skirmish if he is outside the immediate range of the dome).
Fourth, in all cases, it is still better than then « a tent » , the martial alternative.
Fifth, even if the spell is less effective against intelligent predators, it is still incredibly powerful against everything else (including environmental hazards), that’s still extremely good for a class feature that costs you a single spell known and zero spell slots.

But more importantly - if the DM wants to mess with the characters when they are unprepared, they'll mess with the characters - Hut or no.

Pretty sure the DM’s role isn’t « to mess with the characters ».

 

[Tony Vargas]

Fourth, in all cases, it is still better than then « a tent » , the martial alternative.

Tent?