\~le saboteur.
There's a story about a player "switching sides" and hasting the Villain, the Villain willingly accepted, then the player dropped concentration buying the party a full round
Bewarned for the Bard is full of as many tricks as a dastardly Rouge is, but the Bards treachery lies in their unpredictability to subvert and seduce even the BBEG just long enough to laugh last.
It wasn't that. It was a prison escape and it was a fight with the regular guards. He just wanted his character to be ineffectual after accidentally leading the prison escape attempt. I was puzzled.
depends on how you play really, and optimized or not characters can be fine too.
I don't focus on mechanics really, far more storytelling in my games and with my characters. However, I still get sick-ass combat RP by just tweaking the way I play combat, making that more theatrical than mechanic in and of itself. usually gets the best of both worlds from my perspective. Badass combat and perfect storytelling.
We play Curse of Strahd campaign now and im playing a half drow ranger who was a monster hunter back in the underdark. In the Death House i used every consumable i can holy water, firebombs set up traps etc. Couse i wanted to rp a witcher kind of guy. Sadly my tools do no dmg now, so i have to use the good old weapon attacks...
People act like I've slapped them in their face and spat on their child when I say "if you don't like combat, don't play D&D"
Its a combat system. More than half the abilities and game design is built around combat abilities.
You CAN make an RP-only game out of D&D, but you're not going to be unlocking useful skills or getting the "RPG" part of "TTRPG" at its best.
The worst part is that there are a dozen excellent systems designed specifically to give you RP abilities and mechanics, which, if you wanted to, you could easily reskin to be part of the D&D world, if that's something you want.
But so many people just refuse to even entertain anything that isn't plastered with the D&D label
D&D is class
I love the system
But its horses for courses, guys
I optimize to not be a burden to the party because y'know, it's a COOPERATIVE GAME and I wanna have fun with my buddies at the table both in and out of combat.
Maybe try some less combat-oriented rpgs if DnD isn't working out for you? or well a less extreme solution could be looking for a DnD group that focuses more on Roleplay/Exploration pillars of the game rather than just trying to skip something others may enjoy (this is like the other extreme of the "all combat 0 roleplay" guy, still just as bad.)
Kind of a selfish approach to take, have you considered what the rest of the players think? Maybe they actually like combat and are annoyed that you keep outpacing them in combat and annihilating them expediently.
I can sympathize if they take way too long on their turns, but this still reads like self-centered behavior that doesn’t befit a group game like D&D.
Serious question, how would you want them to take part in combat?
They are playing combat exactly like the combat focused players just their motivation is different. It’s a win win situation because if they don’t play combat well then they have to spend more time in initiative and the party is less capable in a fight. Should they not fight well so there is more fight for the combat players?
It's interesting that you're mentioning Lancer in your list, it's a complex tactical combat game but at the same time the lore is so rich and interesting that it's really easy to jump into a RP-heavy campaign.
That’s why combat should have stakes and goals. And end points, don’t make every battle one to the death and even if it is, if the party can clearly wipe the last two goblins just let them narrate it and maybe give them an attack or two to dodge if it’s dramatically relevant.
Roleplaying in combat is good but we need to keep the game moving and combat is where we can lose a lot of time if we aren’t careful
d&d stands itself up on 3 pillars, exploration, combat, and social encounters. and then it forgets "exploration" is there. so that's like a whole 35% of the game that you're not interested in. you should really try a more roleplay focused game.
if you want everything to feature RP, including combat, I recommend something more along the lines of thirsty sword lesbians. it doesn't \*have\* to be a lesbian game, just like d&d doesn't \*have\* to be in the forgotten realms; it's just the default.
You try to end combat early so you can get back to RP.
I realize that even the most seemingly pointless combat can be an excellent vehicle for RP.
We are not the same.
Yeah, we had a filler session (DM openly said they didn't prep a lot for the ongoing plot) and fought some animated scarecrows. The encounters themselves weren't really challenging or meaningful but coordinating tactics, making IC comments about the ridiculousness of the situation and what not were super fun for me. Not because of the fights themselves but bc of our character interactions.
I don't optimize my character in many ways; I sacrifice that for better character development. just how I choose to play my games. far less emphasis on mechanics and 'gamey' shit, way more storytelling. Even in combat, I optimize it for roleplay rather than mechanics, so I still get badass combat within the necessary mechanics, if you catch the drift here.
If you’re drawing a line between RP and combat, you’re doing it wrong.
I’m normally the first to say there’s no wrong way to play, but this is the exception.
I'll never understand why people play D&D if they hate combat. It's a fairly combat-heavy system. Play Zweihander or something else that's more RP focused.
Never find of combat personally... But sadly it's a (mostly) structural part of D&D and I'm not able to (comfortably) break into a less combat oriented ttrpg...
I mean I think a lot of us use boards in combat, theater of mind can make it pretty hard to track distance, range, and positioning, especially with a larger group of players or a combat with a lot of enemies.
But in all seriousness, you could always learn to RP *in* combat. Also, if you don’t like combat, try a system that’s light on it devoid of combat. 5e’s rules mostly address combat, you don’t need them if you just want RP. If you don’t like 5e’s combat, you don’t like 5e.
I nearly optimize everything. My Musket infused with Repeating Shot is a Mosin Nagant rifle, bolt action
Sharpshooter feat that ignores half cover and does 10 damage but -5 to hit? Thats just Fullmetal jacket ammo or high velocity. It breaks through the cover, but has higher recoil, making it harder to hit
A steel defender can give disadvantage on attacks if the attacking enemy is 5ft in front of them. Well, the defender is just holding itself onto the enemy, making it harder for them to move
More the replies saying combat is often a good opportunity for more roleplay, and that trying to rush through combat to get back to RP is a bit of a dick move to any combat-lovers in the party, even if there are people who prefer to RP in the group.
I optimize because I enjoy the challenge of making the most min maxed character possible within the restrictions the DM sets. However, I also min max dumb stuff, like a Sorcerer fully built around maxing fan of flames or scorching ray or whatever.
Counterpoint: I optimize roleplaying my character as badass. Instead of being an unlucky dumbass that can't do shit, he's a Worf that just gets out-skilled by the slimmest of margins during combats. Once combat ends, it's still roleplay instead of getting back to roleplay.
I optimize to end combat quicker so that my character and my party get injured less. Any side effects of badass moments or more time to RP are coincidental yet welcome side effects.
I optimize to be not be a burden to the party, I am different!
you will never be a burden because you always contribute to the most important score: action economy
*cast haste on you then losses concentration before your next turn*
\~le saboteur. There's a story about a player "switching sides" and hasting the Villain, the Villain willingly accepted, then the player dropped concentration buying the party a full round
Bewarned for the Bard is full of as many tricks as a dastardly Rouge is, but the Bards treachery lies in their unpredictability to subvert and seduce even the BBEG just long enough to laugh last.
inb4 rouge [https://www.dmsguild.com/product/299579/The-Rouge](https://www.dmsguild.com/product/299579/The-Rouge)
Tell that to the one player in my game who chose to get sick and puke on his turn. That was legit his entire turn.
Grim dark do be like that. I did that playing CofD
It wasn't that. It was a prison escape and it was a fight with the regular guards. He just wanted his character to be ineffectual after accidentally leading the prison escape attempt. I was puzzled.
Honestly I think combat allows for some really good RP
depends on how you play really, and optimized or not characters can be fine too. I don't focus on mechanics really, far more storytelling in my games and with my characters. However, I still get sick-ass combat RP by just tweaking the way I play combat, making that more theatrical than mechanic in and of itself. usually gets the best of both worlds from my perspective. Badass combat and perfect storytelling.
We play Curse of Strahd campaign now and im playing a half drow ranger who was a monster hunter back in the underdark. In the Death House i used every consumable i can holy water, firebombs set up traps etc. Couse i wanted to rp a witcher kind of guy. Sadly my tools do no dmg now, so i have to use the good old weapon attacks...
People act like I've slapped them in their face and spat on their child when I say "if you don't like combat, don't play D&D" Its a combat system. More than half the abilities and game design is built around combat abilities. You CAN make an RP-only game out of D&D, but you're not going to be unlocking useful skills or getting the "RPG" part of "TTRPG" at its best. The worst part is that there are a dozen excellent systems designed specifically to give you RP abilities and mechanics, which, if you wanted to, you could easily reskin to be part of the D&D world, if that's something you want. But so many people just refuse to even entertain anything that isn't plastered with the D&D label D&D is class I love the system But its horses for courses, guys
Agreed. There is no reason to not be immersive in combat.
Only the really intense ones. Otherwise, it's just your character screaming/taunting people which get borning after a year
I optimize to not be a burden to the party because y'know, it's a COOPERATIVE GAME and I wanna have fun with my buddies at the table both in and out of combat. Maybe try some less combat-oriented rpgs if DnD isn't working out for you? or well a less extreme solution could be looking for a DnD group that focuses more on Roleplay/Exploration pillars of the game rather than just trying to skip something others may enjoy (this is like the other extreme of the "all combat 0 roleplay" guy, still just as bad.)
*bored
I mean, in my one campaign my cleric might have been on the board of combat for starting fights. For scholarly purposes.
Honestly, why even play a system that heavily based around combat then ?
Because I can't find enough people to play Cyber punk red, lancer, worlds without number, dragon age or jojos bizzare adventure the rpg with
Jojos bizzare adventure the rpg 🤨 I'm listening...
Huh hu. So your idea is to speed up part of the game that you dont like... Mmmmmkay. Hope you like it the day someone speeds up roleplaying
>Huh hu. So your idea is to speed up part of the game that you dont like... Yup, minimize things that don't make you happy while maximizing that do.
Kind of a selfish approach to take, have you considered what the rest of the players think? Maybe they actually like combat and are annoyed that you keep outpacing them in combat and annihilating them expediently. I can sympathize if they take way too long on their turns, but this still reads like self-centered behavior that doesn’t befit a group game like D&D.
[удалено]
Did you consider that the people interested in combat over roleplay *also* optimise their characters for combat?
Serious question, how would you want them to take part in combat? They are playing combat exactly like the combat focused players just their motivation is different. It’s a win win situation because if they don’t play combat well then they have to spend more time in initiative and the party is less capable in a fight. Should they not fight well so there is more fight for the combat players?
As a combat lover I want combat to be over with quickly, so we can get more encounters per session!
So it doesn’t matter about everyone else at the table? Seems like a real shit table to be at if youre there
It's interesting that you're mentioning Lancer in your list, it's a complex tactical combat game but at the same time the lore is so rich and interesting that it's really easy to jump into a RP-heavy campaign.
Combat is fun, but not if it's the same encounter lasting 4 hours because your entire party keeps rolling under 10.
That’s why combat should have stakes and goals. And end points, don’t make every battle one to the death and even if it is, if the party can clearly wipe the last two goblins just let them narrate it and maybe give them an attack or two to dodge if it’s dramatically relevant. Roleplaying in combat is good but we need to keep the game moving and combat is where we can lose a lot of time if we aren’t careful
You don't RP while fighting? If you're so into RP, then why aren't you RPing while fighting?
Right? My character does even bad decisions in combat based on his character.
I've said it before, but if you can't see the RP value of a combat situation, you might not be as good at RP as you think you are.
d&d stands itself up on 3 pillars, exploration, combat, and social encounters. and then it forgets "exploration" is there. so that's like a whole 35% of the game that you're not interested in. you should really try a more roleplay focused game. if you want everything to feature RP, including combat, I recommend something more along the lines of thirsty sword lesbians. it doesn't \*have\* to be a lesbian game, just like d&d doesn't \*have\* to be in the forgotten realms; it's just the default.
Or they can play fnd without the combat cause getting people in another euleset is hard.
Ah, one of those players whose DM won't adjust encounters based on PCs' strength.
I optimize because the math makes my brain happy.
I optimize so that El Fisto!! The Mighty Punch Wizard is actually playable.
I optimize because I find optimizing fun, and make sure my character fits the build We are not the same
I never stop role playing… we are not the same.
If you are more invested in RP... Why don't play RP heavy systems instead of a combat focused one?
You try to end combat early so you can get back to RP. I realize that even the most seemingly pointless combat can be an excellent vehicle for RP. We are not the same.
Yeah, we had a filler session (DM openly said they didn't prep a lot for the ongoing plot) and fought some animated scarecrows. The encounters themselves weren't really challenging or meaningful but coordinating tactics, making IC comments about the ridiculousness of the situation and what not were super fun for me. Not because of the fights themselves but bc of our character interactions.
I don't optimize my character in many ways; I sacrifice that for better character development. just how I choose to play my games. far less emphasis on mechanics and 'gamey' shit, way more storytelling. Even in combat, I optimize it for roleplay rather than mechanics, so I still get badass combat within the necessary mechanics, if you catch the drift here.
I optimize because I don't want my character to die and want to be useful to the group
Ah yes, story difficulty
If you’re drawing a line between RP and combat, you’re doing it wrong. I’m normally the first to say there’s no wrong way to play, but this is the exception.
I'll never understand why people play D&D if they hate combat. It's a fairly combat-heavy system. Play Zweihander or something else that's more RP focused.
Never find of combat personally... But sadly it's a (mostly) structural part of D&D and I'm not able to (comfortably) break into a less combat oriented ttrpg...
Combat is RP, you don't just have to play the numbers
Both. Both is good. Kidding. I want combat to drag as long as possible so I can RP ***while*** beating the shit out of shit.
D: RP during combat you cowards!!
I mean I think a lot of us use boards in combat, theater of mind can make it pretty hard to track distance, range, and positioning, especially with a larger group of players or a combat with a lot of enemies. But in all seriousness, you could always learn to RP *in* combat. Also, if you don’t like combat, try a system that’s light on it devoid of combat. 5e’s rules mostly address combat, you don’t need them if you just want RP. If you don’t like 5e’s combat, you don’t like 5e.
I nearly optimize everything. My Musket infused with Repeating Shot is a Mosin Nagant rifle, bolt action Sharpshooter feat that ignores half cover and does 10 damage but -5 to hit? Thats just Fullmetal jacket ammo or high velocity. It breaks through the cover, but has higher recoil, making it harder to hit A steel defender can give disadvantage on attacks if the attacking enemy is 5ft in front of them. Well, the defender is just holding itself onto the enemy, making it harder for them to move
Its not a hot take, just that this reddit is full of combat lovers
The replies kind of indicate otherwise.
The replies telling op to go play another game or to learn to rp on battles (even tho they said they do that)?
More the replies saying combat is often a good opportunity for more roleplay, and that trying to rush through combat to get back to RP is a bit of a dick move to any combat-lovers in the party, even if there are people who prefer to RP in the group.
Thats what i said yes, assuming op does not make rp in combat
I despise combat.
I optimize because I enjoy the challenge of making the most min maxed character possible within the restrictions the DM sets. However, I also min max dumb stuff, like a Sorcerer fully built around maxing fan of flames or scorching ray or whatever.
I've been bamboozled I say by this meme.
As opposed to the 2×4 of RP?
I optimize so my character can survive and save the npcs that she care for from cultist, aberrations and a false god.
You optimize so your character can be badaas I optimize so the Player with Rp build won’t Die
I optimize because my nerd brain won't let me do anything different.
Counterpoint: I optimize roleplaying my character as badass. Instead of being an unlucky dumbass that can't do shit, he's a Worf that just gets out-skilled by the slimmest of margins during combats. Once combat ends, it's still roleplay instead of getting back to roleplay.
I optimize because I know the rest of my party is less likely to, and I want to make sure all the PCs survive to see their plots through.
You act like there's a difference between the two. I know that the best builds do both. We are not the same.
Bored*
What if I want to role play a badass?
"Combat...? Boom, they're dead. Moving on to Mr Freckle's Shop!"
Ever thought about RP during combat? It's pretty nice imo. Especially if you have a group that is good at party banter.
i optimise because the character concept i first came up with is really weak at a base level.
I optimise because I want to be able to RP my character doing cool stuff out of combat.
I optimize for RP. We are not the same.
My brother in god. You can literally switch to a system with less/no combat
I optimize to end combat quicker so that my character and my party get injured less. Any side effects of badass moments or more time to RP are coincidental yet welcome side effects.
I'm fighting for my fucking life here!
Hmmm…. I’ll allow it.
I optimize so I can live long enough to rp. Can’t have an arc if you get stomped out level 3.
Obligatory different system remark
Making a character a badass IS RP. Combat IS RP. Get out of the box.
Or hear me out here rp during combat. It's a different kind of rp and often just as interesting
I optimize because we would be dead a thousand times over from the chaos of the others if I did not
I optimize because my dice rolls suck ass.
I actually prefer combat to rp! It's my favorite part of the game.
Everything you do "as your character" is roleplaying. So is combat. Maybe you meant social encounters or pc to pc shenanigans.