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A meandering #dnd (THREAD) on death:
First some facts
PC deaths in my games when I flubbed dice & invented reasons PCs didn't actually die: 2
PC deaths across my 3 games since I switched from a "narrative" style of DMing to a "simulationist" style: 9
What do I mean by this?
First some facts
PC deaths in my games when I flubbed dice & invented reasons PCs didn't actually die: 2
PC deaths across my 3 games since I switched from a "narrative" style of DMing to a "simulationist" style: 9
What do I mean by this?
In the past, I DMed w/a grand narrative in mind. PCs had choices but I protected them from the worst consequences of those choices if they turned out badly. I reduced monster hps, ignored lair actions, reduced their numbers, played them dumb, left PCs alive after defeat, & so on.
I did this because I had a story to tell & wanted to make sure my efforts didn't go to waste - if the PCs died, players wouldn't experience all the cool content & associated "story beats" I was proud of & dying to show off.
PCs didn't have total plot armor, but they had some.
PCs didn't have total plot armor, but they had some.
My players requested that I drop the plot armor and play the dice as they lay. They reminded me that the game was their story to create, not mine to reveal.
They wanted off the rails.
So I agreed. But I decided to change up how I DM for everyone, not just my regular group.
They wanted off the rails.
So I agreed. But I decided to change up how I DM for everyone, not just my regular group.
Now I approach things with a "simulationist" view of DMing.
I don't attempt to influence how the players make their choices.
I don't fudge die rolls.
I don't save them from bad situations they get themselves into.
I don't dumb down the bad guys.
I don't attempt to influence how the players make their choices.
I don't fudge die rolls.
I don't save them from bad situations they get themselves into.
I don't dumb down the bad guys.
That has led to more character deaths.
In most (not all) of these instances, parties got in over their heads through the choices the players made & the dice punished them for it.
I don't enjoy killing PCs. I mostly winced my way through these brutal encounters gone awry.
In most (not all) of these instances, parties got in over their heads through the choices the players made & the dice punished them for it.
I don't enjoy killing PCs. I mostly winced my way through these brutal encounters gone awry.
Most of the time, these deadly encounters were actually multiple encounters at once. Usually, this happens because the PCs - through bad luck or carelessness - alerted multiple groups of monsters in a dungeon to their presence at the same time, and then got dogpiled.
In MMORPG terms, they "pulled" multiple groups of monsters at the same time, and what usually resulted was at least 1 PC death.
Now, for my original group, I was told in no uncertain terms that they prefer this style of play.
@Hjorimir @andyjte @vymair
Now, for my original group, I was told in no uncertain terms that they prefer this style of play.
@Hjorimir @andyjte @vymair
What I am wrangling with is whether I should change how I DM to accommodate different groups of players with different RPG interests and different levels of tactical skill.
It's not my preference to switch DMing style on a per-group basis.
It's not my preference to switch DMing style on a per-group basis.
Frankly, I like the freedom that has come with absolving myself of the responsibility of saving players who get their characters into a bind. Players are responsible for their choices.
But I have to weigh that against whether a simulationist approach is fun for all tables.
But I have to weigh that against whether a simulationist approach is fun for all tables.
So I guess the questions are
-Does death (or the threat of death) enhance the #dnd experience?
-Would you prefer your DM save you when you get in over your heads?
-Would you prefer the DM never allow you to get in over your heads?
-Would you prefer to play the dice as they lie?
-Does death (or the threat of death) enhance the #dnd experience?
-Would you prefer your DM save you when you get in over your heads?
-Would you prefer the DM never allow you to get in over your heads?
-Would you prefer to play the dice as they lie?
