So what IS Dungeons and Dragons, anyway?

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Train
D&D is basically how role playing games were played before computers were good enough to make interesting D&D games.

Believe it or not, almost all Role PLaying Games these days are heavliy based on the concepts that D&D developed decades ago.

Paper and pencil still rule over those computer games, IMHO.

Agreed.
And you cant cheat at D&D. Not possible. DM has final ruling, it either goes or it dont, but if he dont want it, it aint happening.

Man, I miss playin D&D. That was some fun stuff right there.

And believe it or not, I have actually picked up women cause I played. And yes, they were hot.

I miss my old group, and its hard to find one at school, even when I am on a floor full of nerds. My DM went off and joined the navy, and the rest went to different colleges. Bah. I wanna play again. :brokenheart:

 

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Train
D&D is basically how role playing games were played before computers were good enough to make interesting D&D games.

Believe it or not, almost all Role PLaying Games these days are heavliy based on the concepts that D&D developed decades ago.

Paper and pencil still rule over those computer games, IMHO.

Agreed.
And you cant cheat at D&D. Not possible. DM has final ruling, it either goes or it dont, but if he dont want it, it aint happening.

Man, I miss playin D&D. That was some fun stuff right there.

And believe it or not, I have actually picked up women cause I played. And yes, they were hot.

You CAN cheat in DnD. A level 5 spell caster can kill a silver dragon. It's cheating. That's why there have been revisions over the years instead of just additions to equipment, etc. DnD3.5 is coming out really quickly, too, if it isn't already out.

Not if you have a half-way decent DM. He will see those stupid loopholes and just say "no. And if you try it, you will be swiftly cut down by the gods."

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Train
D&D is basically how role playing games were played before computers were good enough to make interesting D&D games.

Believe it or not, almost all Role PLaying Games these days are heavliy based on the concepts that D&D developed decades ago.

Paper and pencil still rule over those computer games, IMHO.

Agreed.
And you cant cheat at D&D. Not possible. DM has final ruling, it either goes or it dont, but if he dont want it, it aint happening.

Man, I miss playin D&D. That was some fun stuff right there.

And believe it or not, I have actually picked up women cause I played. And yes, they were hot.

You CAN cheat in DnD. A level 5 spell caster can kill a silver dragon. It's cheating. That's why there have been revisions over the years instead of just additions to equipment, etc. DnD3.5 is coming out really quickly, too, if it isn't already out.

Not if you have a half-way decent DM. He will see those stupid loopholes and just say "no. And if you try it, you will be swiftly cut down by the gods."

DM's make or break a campaign.

<-- username is actually an old AD&D character of mine.

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Train
D&D is basically how role playing games were played before computers were good enough to make interesting D&D games.

Believe it or not, almost all Role PLaying Games these days are heavliy based on the concepts that D&D developed decades ago.

Paper and pencil still rule over those computer games, IMHO.

Agreed.
And you cant cheat at D&D. Not possible. DM has final ruling, it either goes or it dont, but if he dont want it, it aint happening.

Man, I miss playin D&D. That was some fun stuff right there.

And believe it or not, I have actually picked up women cause I played. And yes, they were hot.

You CAN cheat in DnD. A level 5 spell caster can kill a silver dragon. It's cheating. That's why there have been revisions over the years instead of just additions to equipment, etc. DnD3.5 is coming out really quickly, too, if it isn't already out.

Not if you have a half-way decent DM. He will see those stupid loopholes and just say "no. And if you try it, you will be swiftly cut down by the gods."

Ah, don't you just love being cut down by the gods? My DM actually waited for two game rounds once to cut me down because I messed around. We were riding to another town in a thunderstorm and he just hit me with a bolt of lightning. Find a computer game that can hold a grudge like that

 

[yellowperil]

Originally posted by: styrafoam
The most basic explanation would be pretend with rules and a ref so everyone can agree on who stabbed who first. Dice are used to determine and of the random/variable elements of the rules.

I never played, but this is my perception of it (from friends in high school who tried to teach me). Frankly I never understood the appeal.

 

Originally posted by: nan0bug


Ah, don't you just love being cut down by the gods? My DM actually waited for two game rounds once to cut me down because I messed around. We were riding to another town in a thunderstorm and he just hit me with a bolt of lightning. Find a computer game that can hold a grudge like that

heh. One of my original group was really bad. We had "stupidity damage" for saying something REALLY dumb, or pissing off the DM. That was fun...seeing a character drop because he decided to pee on the sleeping little girl with one hp left.

 

[notfred]

Ok, based on your explanations it's not really a game, but more like "moderated group storytelling" Would that be accurate?

I mean, there doesn't seem to be any objective or competition...

 

Originally posted by: notfred
Ok, based on your explanations it's not really a game, but more like "moderated group storytelling" Would that be accurate?

I mean, there doesn't seem to be any objective or competition...

objectives differ day to day. One day you could be wanting to build your own castle, the other is raiding a crypt of a long dead mage. You cant win, but thats the fun. That also means there is no end for the most part.

Competition can happen. 3 DMs, good group vs evil group. Usually high level characters. We tried this one...ended up taking a city with us in the battle that happened at the end of it.

 

[bockchow]

it's one of those things thats as good as you make it. you can play a videogame and it either rocks or sucks and you have no control over it. D&D is open ended if your playing with smart fun imaginative people who have enough maturity to not be dumba$$'s it can be sweet and i've had games that have lasted multiple days and it never got boring. other times i was done after an hour. it's a very social game.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: notfred
Ok, based on your explanations it's not really a game, but more like "moderated group storytelling" Would that be accurate?

I mean, there doesn't seem to be any objective or competition...

You play for xp, levels and equipment. Just like any modern RPG, but slightly less graphical.

 

[Occifer]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: notfred
Ok, based on your explanations it's not really a game, but more like "moderated group storytelling" Would that be accurate?

I mean, there doesn't seem to be any objective or competition...

Competition can happen. 3 DMs, good group vs evil group. Usually high level characters. We tried this one...ended up taking a city with us in the battle that happened at the end of it.

So the people on the opposing team knew excatly how powerful you were, and what items and weapons you had?

 

[styrafoam]

Originally posted by: notfred
Ok, based on your explanations it's not really a game, but more like "moderated group storytelling" Would that be accurate?

I mean, there doesn't seem to be any objective or competition...

To an extent. A group of players would use their characters in a campaign. Within said campaign there would be adventures having thier own goals, which may or may not be part of an arching storyline. It is mostly dependent on the DM and what direction they chose to take the campaign.

 

Originally posted by: Occifer

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: notfred
Ok, based on your explanations it's not really a game, but more like "moderated group storytelling" Would that be accurate?

I mean, there doesn't seem to be any objective or competition...

Competition can happen. 3 DMs, good group vs evil group. Usually high level characters. We tried this one...ended up taking a city with us in the battle that happened at the end of it.

So the people on the opposing team knew excatly how powerful you were, and what items and weapons you had?

no. 2 seperate rooms, 3 different DMs. One for the good group, one for the evil, and one to oversee both to make sure that nothing got out of hand (ie, the DM for the evil group giving all his characters rings of 3 wishes)

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I'm not sure what it is, but D&D based computer games are good. I like NWN, and am going to try to make a campaign for it.

 

[Chaotic42]

Oh wow, I could write a book.

Literally.

After years of playing, my friends and I have developed our own system. Same thing bascially, except free. Do you want a super explaination?

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: bockchow
it's one of those things thats as good as you make it. you can play a videogame and it either rocks or sucks and you have no control over it. D&D is open ended if your playing with smart fun imaginative people who have enough maturity to not be dumba$$'s it can be sweet and i've had games that have lasted multiple days and it never got boring. other times i was done after an hour. it's a very social game.

Theres 3 things to avoid in any D&D game:

1. Bad DM. If he's overwhelmed, unimaginitive, or just plain lazy, then the game wont be fun. You have to have a DM who's willing to put in the time to make sure the game is going along as smoothly as possible. This usually involves going home and working out plot twists, creating NPC's (Non-Player Characters) and monsters, etc. Also he has to be able to roll with the punches when something unexpected comes up (like if an assassin in the group decides to sneak attack and kill an important NPC).

2. Rules Lawyers. These are the guys who whine and complain every time something doesn't go their way.. or they defend things that are blatently 'wrong' by saying something like "The rules allow it". Usually the group 9and DM) will find a way of either beating them into submission (Struck down by the gods, giving them a cursed item when they become item whores) or just making them want to leave the group. Anyway, if you've still got one in your group after a couple game sessions, its something that needs to be adressed or the whole game will suffer for it.

3. Only playing pre-made adventures. You can buy pre-made adventures in a store, and they're good for the first couple rounds to build up your characters, or for an off week when the DM just can't come up with anything good. However, the pre-made adventures are like watching a crappy bootleg of a great movie. Yeah, you're getting the idea, but its just not the same as playing an adventure with more depth that is more custom tailored to your group.

 

[Chaotic42]

No, the best way to DM is making it up as you go along. Completely pull the whole campaign out of your ass.

That's what I do and it works 90% of the time.

 

[Shockwave]

I like it cause you have to THINK.
Example...
We had a party dragon hunting with a GOOD, DEVIOUS DM. My dwarf was leading down the dark hall. So happens at the end of the hall was a well, with silence and darkness cast on the entrance. We couldnt see in there. Threw things in, didnt hear anything. Ok, dwarf gets brave and steps in. Immediately falls into 15 feet of water, its a well. But! Noone else hears anything (The Silence spell)

So, whatchya do with a dwarf who cant swim, in full plate stuck in 15 feet of water who's teammates dont know whats going on? Well, long story short, dwarf ends up using his last bit of air (And a God call) to empty tobacco pouch, blow in it, and tye fishing line around the bag and onto his rope at which point he passes out.
The guys up top were thankfully prodding around in the water with a stick to try to figure out what happened when they felt a bobbing thing. Pulled it over, found the tobacco pouch and heaved a drowned drawf out. LIttle CPR later...

And ANY Dm that lets a 5th lvl mage kill a dragon does NOT know how to run a dragon. Thats not cheating, thats very VERY piss poor DM'ing.

 

[Special K]

I used to play it several years ago. Myself and 3-4 friends (as well as a few other individuals who played occasionally) would get together to play adventures that I wrote. Being the all-time DM for the group, I will say that I agree with nan0bug that pre-made adventures are not as good as writing them yourself, assuming you had the time. I usually enjoyed it. For me, the games were best when the players were really creative. While writing the adventures, I usually had an idea of what they were likely to try, but it seems I had the most fun when really creative players would try things I didn't anticipate. Unfortunately, most of the group I played with just walked through the adventures by the numbers, if that makes any sense... so it was really boring as a DM because I didn't have to think too much about what was going on and make things up on the fly. Other people I played with could turn an adventure that I wrote in about 20 min. into a fun experience, while other times I would be bored DMing an adventure that I had spent much more time on because the players were not very creative. I would like to start playing again and give it another shot if I could find a good group of players.

 

[MaxDepth]

And then you grow up and go to these events.

 

[Nitemare]

What was that series of books that came out that listed pretty much all the equipment, artifacts and relics in the D&D history? They are in alphabetical order, have a brown cover and the paper is reallt thin maybe even bible leaf.


Played it in high school and college

 

[Oakenfold]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
No, the best way to DM is making it up as you go along. Completely pull the whole campaign out of your ass.

That's what I do and it works 90% of the time.

The players enjoy it too!

Guess you've never picked up a Dragonlance book there NOTFRED.
Give one a spin some time.
My starter recommendation would the The Legend of Huma.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I like it cause you have to THINK.
Example...
We had a party dragon hunting with a GOOD, DEVIOUS DM. My dwarf was leading down the dark hall. So happens at the end of the hall was a well, with silence and darkness cast on the entrance. We couldnt see in there. Threw things in, didnt hear anything. Ok, dwarf gets brave and steps in. Immediately falls into 15 feet of water, its a well. But! Noone else hears anything (The Silence spell)

So, whatchya do with a dwarf who cant swim, in full plate stuck in 15 feet of water who's teammates dont know whats going on? Well, long story short, dwarf ends up using his last bit of air (And a God call) to empty tobacco pouch, blow in it, and tye fishing line around the bag and onto his rope at which point he passes out.
The guys up top were thankfully prodding around in the water with a stick to try to figure out what happened when they felt a bobbing thing. Pulled it over, found the tobacco pouch and heaved a drowned drawf out. LIttle CPR later...

And ANY Dm that lets a 5th lvl mage kill a dragon does NOT know how to run a dragon. Thats not cheating, thats very VERY piss poor DM'ing.

How do you use a "Silence Spell" when everyone is sitting in the same room? I mean, you can't say "oh no, I've fallen in a well, but I tied a ballon to me and now I'm rising to the top!" because, well, that's not silent, but if you don't say anything, then how does anyone know what you did?

Also, if a dwarf were to have enough air in his lungs so that he could fill a ballon and make himself boyant enough to float in water, he never would have sank in the first place, due to the volume of air in his lungs.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Oakenfold

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
No, the best way to DM is making it up as you go along. Completely pull the whole campaign out of your ass.

That's what I do and it works 90% of the time.

The players enjoy it too!

Guess you've never picked up a Dragonlance book there NOTFRED.
Give one a spin some time.
My starter recommendation would the The Legend of Huma.

i've always been partial to the "Forgotten Realms" series, but as a DM I made up 90% of the games

 

[Banana]

Is it better to use your own imagination to visualize the fantasy world, or have it spoon fed to you by computer game developers?