The Wargamer, The Deck Builder, & The Role Player
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 3:17 am
Split off from the Wargaming Thread into its own thread.
Well, I wouldn't necessarily say lack of effort, just a different play style.
There are three basic play styles:
The wargamer: This guy just likes good tactical battles, believing combat should be like a game of chess where each side tries to outwit the other. The wargamer more than anyone tends to want a balanced game, because it gives him more to think about and increases the strategic depth of combat. Wargamers also tend to be the first people to actually pick out imbalances.
The Roleplayer: This guy just wants a quick dirty combat resolution and wants to think about roleplaying his character and advancing the storyline. The more minimalist the combat, the better. The roleplayer isn't all that interested in a combat system in the first place.
The deck builder: This guy is all about combos and character building. Most of the deck builders work happens before he steps into the game, and he's the primary creator of power builds and crazy theoretical loopholes and combos. When game time comes, all his decisions are made for him and he just cuts loose. Unlike the wargamer who constantly tries to adapt to his foe's strategy, the deck builder is usually a one trick pony who could care less what he's against. He releases his caster level 200 holy word or million damage supercombo and tears through the enemy. The deck builder is generally oblivious to imbalance since it seems like a natural part of his game. In a balanced game, the deck builder feels alienated and lost.
Right now, D&D caters the most towards the deck builder, which is actually a shame, because deck building is probably the thing I least enjoy about D&D.
Lago_AM3P at [unixtime wrote:1125533494[/unixtime]]
It basically reaches a point where people are basically telling me 'don't cast silent image and glitterdust anymore and cast fireball and lightning bolt' and that's just sad. Damn sad. Such a disgusting lack of effort.
Well, I wouldn't necessarily say lack of effort, just a different play style.
There are three basic play styles:
The wargamer: This guy just likes good tactical battles, believing combat should be like a game of chess where each side tries to outwit the other. The wargamer more than anyone tends to want a balanced game, because it gives him more to think about and increases the strategic depth of combat. Wargamers also tend to be the first people to actually pick out imbalances.
The Roleplayer: This guy just wants a quick dirty combat resolution and wants to think about roleplaying his character and advancing the storyline. The more minimalist the combat, the better. The roleplayer isn't all that interested in a combat system in the first place.
The deck builder: This guy is all about combos and character building. Most of the deck builders work happens before he steps into the game, and he's the primary creator of power builds and crazy theoretical loopholes and combos. When game time comes, all his decisions are made for him and he just cuts loose. Unlike the wargamer who constantly tries to adapt to his foe's strategy, the deck builder is usually a one trick pony who could care less what he's against. He releases his caster level 200 holy word or million damage supercombo and tears through the enemy. The deck builder is generally oblivious to imbalance since it seems like a natural part of his game. In a balanced game, the deck builder feels alienated and lost.
Right now, D&D caters the most towards the deck builder, which is actually a shame, because deck building is probably the thing I least enjoy about D&D.