tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post2354503595324672290..comments2024-03-10T04:32:25.985-07:00Comments on Improved Initiative: Why Character Optimization Isn't Bad (The Stormwind Fallacy)Neal Litherlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307649737269196558noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-41371371759284840752016-05-17T12:33:52.607-07:002016-05-17T12:33:52.607-07:00Looking back at old posts.
Definitely good to poi...Looking back at old posts.<br /><br />Definitely good to point out the fallacious thought. I try to keep my crunch and fluff married when I make a character, and have some idea where I want to go as he advances, if only for the reason that the character knows what sort of self-improvement he wants.<br /><br />I don't do it because I want power, but because I want my character's stats to reflect what he is in my imagination, whether it's his strengths or his weaknesses.Bronze Doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10938257296504189967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-51463724065342066012016-01-25T13:56:24.938-08:002016-01-25T13:56:24.938-08:00Yes. This. Some of my gaming group rag me for plan...Yes. This. Some of my gaming group rag me for planning my characters out well in advance, level by level. My (usual) GM is a rules-lite, roleplay heavy storyteller type & the group tells me I don't leave enough room for roleplay (they've never complained about my actual character roleplaying; they just complain that my planning "doesn't leave room" for it). Planning ahead means my character can accomplish amazing things, things that leave the other players wondering how. It's not lack of roleplay, it's ambition married to planning and rules-knowledge. I AM a rules lawyer. Not the kind who argues every little thing, but who understands the way things work so that they work the same way, fairly, every time, for everyone. When my GM doesn't know a rule, they make one up, often much different from the previous ruling. Drives me nuts!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17258053692193342339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-35285391619880094962016-01-05T04:25:32.674-08:002016-01-05T04:25:32.674-08:00I can do both, actually, and I can explain how. Kn...I can do both, actually, and I can explain how. Know how in some (online, pc, console) games you have a tutorial where you play a beefed up version of your character with full armor, the best spells available etcetera? When I come up with a character idea, in this case a dashing swordsman, I create that concept, make it as awesome as possible, and make it the goal of my current character. That's what he's going to be at high level, and the campaign is his journey in which he may or may not be able to attain his goal. In terms of imagination that means he'll stumble more than once, fail his glamorous actions and won't be able to charm the pants off that particular guard who is more interested in arresting him than bedding him. <br /><br />In pure mechanics, he simply doesn't have the feats and skills yet to be able to do what he wants to do, or I botched my rolls. Would that stop me from enjoying my character? Not in the least, as long as I succeed sometimes and my character will be allowed to continue on his path to awesome swashbucklership. <br /><br />This means I discuss the best (future!) options for my character with my GM and which feats/skills I will be attaining at which levels. Perhaps my GM is even kind enough to award me with items fitting my character's goal, like that beautifully large hat with a huge feather that improves my charisma.Pixiedragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08699072435687676395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-11749518548362970462015-12-27T15:44:43.306-08:002015-12-27T15:44:43.306-08:00The way I've always done it is if the flashy M...The way I've always done it is if the flashy Monk wants to push someone out a window a simple CMB vs CMD is all that is need in pathfinder. If I grab someone and reposition them to the window even provoking attacks of opportunity its not unfeasible that they can't correct themselves and tip out the window.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14669112797562338021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-60174131815625543512015-12-23T11:13:27.516-08:002015-12-23T11:13:27.516-08:00For me there's always a marriage of role and r...For me there's always a marriage of role and roll, if you will. A character is generally going to have an interaction with combat (and the world) that suits their personality.Robert C Romanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13955223936635159755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-2108865783794242522015-12-22T16:29:16.385-08:002015-12-22T16:29:16.385-08:00I would argue that mechanical understanding/optimi...I would argue that mechanical understanding/optimisation is vital to the ability to roleplay your character. If you do not have a good understanding of exactly what your character is capable of, without the use of meta-knowledge, then you have an inherent limit on your ability to play the role that is your character.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com