PWW wrote:
3) The person who just wants to play the certain class, even though it is "weaker." As I noted before, the reasons could be the simplicity of the option or just wants to play that class. In this situation, if another player highlighted that there may be other classes that are more powerful, at first I'd appreciate the input. If, after I informed them that I still wanted to play the class, they continue to be fixated on my character's "weak" class, then that's when I ditch the group. If they are going to be dwelling on something like that, then it probably best that I left the group before something else comes to the forefront - it's really more of a symptom of bigger party dynamics issues than that. Really, over the long run, my departure in search of a more like-minded group is going to benefit everyone.
But I have yet to meet anyonw who wants to play a fighter. I've met many people who want play the guy/gal that stabs things with their sword while holding a shield in the other hand or the mounted knight in shining armor or some other warrior archetype. That's all well and good, and I will happily help you make that character. New players may think that fighter is that class, and there may be some levels of fighter involved in the build, but 20 straight levels of fighter is not going to get you there.
PWW wrote:
And, to follow up with what RC was mentioning, what do you do when another player suffers from permanent level loss? Their lower level is going to "mechanically" impede the group. Do you as a group try to axe the player for the good of the group? Just curious.
Of course not. Let't take the case of level loss due to coming back from the dead.
You didn't choose to die. The dice caught up with you. It happens. If it happens regularly, it may be symptomatic of you not knowing how to play the game, which is a problem, but dying in and of itself is part of the game.
RC wrote:
So what? The sooner you level, the quicker the campaign gets to a level where D&D is no longer playable and you're forced to make a new campaign.
I get your point, but...are you honestly arguing that leveling up is bad because the RAW cause the game to fall in the crapper past level 15? Seriously, in your home games do you not take steps to prevent this?
To each his own, but in our game we have houserules to keep the game stable and, more generally, have a "gentleman's agreement" of sorts to not, as a DM or a Player, exploit any of the gaping holes in the rules that cause the game to collapse. We generally play to level 20 or so and then start over. At the rate we play, this generally takes us about two years. I've played through about half-a-dozen campaigns this way since the dawn of 3.x.
YMMV. I understand my experience with playing so many campaigns through levels 1-20 probably isn't anywhere near typical.
Game On,
fbmf