Would you rather... (Game Style)

[erealspiller84]

Would you rather...

---Play a dungeon-crawling, mission-hopping campaign with no real plot but complete character build freedom.

Or

---Play a limited setting, specific focus campaign (Monster Tribe, Assasins, Pirates, etc.), with reacurring plot themes and where characters need to be created to certain specifications or roles.

 

[Dandu]

Define certain specifications or roles.

 

[BENINHB]

---Play a limited setting, specific focus campaign (Monster Tribe, Assasins, Pirates, etc.), with reacurring plot themes and where characters need to be created to certain specifications or roles.

 

[erealspiller84]

Define certain specifications or roles.

For example, the DM will only allow 1 melee character, 1 skulldugery character, and 1 arcane character. Or the character must be built using certain races or must attain certain feat or a number of ranks in a skill

 

[Dandu]

Seems a little restrictive.

 

[krupintupple]

most games i've DMed have, for one reason or another, either been or have become the first. it seems to be what people like. although, i'd suggest weaving elements of the second into the first.

all depends upon your perspective though.

 

[erealspiller84]

Seems a little restrictive.

Well, for example, take the Pirate setting. 1 character, playing the captain, would need levels in dread pirate, the PC quartermaster would require leadership feat and a set amount of ranks in socail skills, the Gunner would need ranks in profession cannons (or such), etc.

 

[erealspiller84]

most games i've DMed have, for one reason or another, either been or have become the first. it seems to be what people like. although, i'd suggest weaving elements of the second into the first.

all depends upon your perspective though.

It's just a hypothetical question. Would you like this half of the good stuff with this part of the bad, or would you like this part of the good with this half of the bad.

My personal opinion: Almost every game I've played as been the first type, with the difference being reacuring villans or npcs. It would seem, that the 2nd type would give the characters more purpose or meaning. It's true that a pc could join an organization in the free roaming ng campaign, but the pc is already obligated to the party, and it would seem that more quests would come from the organization. And some of the other pcs may not agree with it... unless they all join.... but then you'd be in a themed campaign

 

[Starbuck_II]

Well, for example, take the Pirate setting. 1 character, playing the captain, would need levels in dread pirate, the PC quartermaster would require leadership feat and a set amount of ranks in socail skills, the Gunner would need ranks in profession cannons (or such), etc.

Why Leadership?
Leadership means they follow the Quartermaster not the Captain...
Why not just hire cohorts or hirelings?
Yes, you have to pay them as crew, but saves a feat (DMG discusses this).

Cannons aren't a profession. They are are weapon. You might mean Profession (Sailor) or [Profession (Gunner)?].

I'd ask DM to rethink this requirement.
I'd tell him I have no issue with the theme, but the feat/skill tax are a bit much. Especially when not required.

 

[erealspiller84]

Why Leadership?
Leadership means they follow the Quartermaster not the Captain...
Why not just hire cohorts or hirelings?
Yes, you have to pay them as crew, but saves a feat (DMG discusses this).

Cannons aren't a profession. They are are weapon. You might mean Profession (Sailor) or [Profession (Gunner)?].

I'd ask DM to rethink this requirement.
I'd tell him I have no issue with the theme, but the feat/skill tax are a bit much. Especially when not required.

This was just an example but thanks for the corrections. I've read that the Quartermaster actually has more control than the captain. I was really surprised by this fact. In times of combat, the captain is in charge, but all other times, the quartermaster has almost all the saying power. He's knd of like the head of the sailor union lol.

About the profession, I can't recall which book, but it had the skill requirements to operate a ballista. I think it was the book with the legendary leader and war weaver... im having a brain fart moment.

And the idea of a themed campaign really should come at the consent of the players. Not everyone thinks it would be neat to all play faeries that live in a mushroom village and thwart the evil doings of log cutters and poachers.

On the other hand, players interested in doing a themed campaign must agree to some sort of guidlines/restrictions. A half-orc geomancer with a vow of poverty and no knowledge of the sea or sailor knots doesn't really belong on a pirate ship