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Back to Core [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
babysamurai
04-13-06, 11:17 AM Now don't get me wrong; I love all the supplements/options I can get me greasy mitts on - hell, the Planescape campaign I'm running right now I allow every WotC product to be used by me and my players...even Dragon/Dungeon magazines.

..And it's fantastic, but just sometimes...sometimes, I would like to start up a campaign where it's the core books only with a 28 point buy and clear my head.

Sort of like pulling your brain out and giving it a good rinse.

Does anybody else ever feel this way?
Seeker95
04-13-06, 12:02 PM Always have. I DM a core-only game. Core-only lets all the players start on the same page. It makes the boundaries of what is permitted (and expected) clear and discrete.

If a player wants his PC to have a spell not found in the PHB, s/he has to research it (if I approve in the first place). Although I use plenty of supplements as DM, these are sourcebooks for the storyline I am crafting. I reserve the right to introduce new spells and magic items from any source I like, usually as treasure discovered on the body or in the hoard of a defeated NPC.
celtredleg
04-13-06, 04:30 PM My last campaign was core plus complete. So this time I am opening up a bit again.
Vaalingrade Ashland
04-13-06, 04:43 PM Running a game without my UA and Draconomicon?

Dude, I'd fight you first.
Mirikon
04-13-06, 04:43 PM Hell no.
Beezelbob
04-13-06, 06:58 PM My current campaign I had everybody start out with just core. I told them that after third level we'd start to introduce other things, i.e. the completes, races, etc. They are now fourth level and the only requests so far have been for some spells from the Spell Compendium. So overall, it has worked out well. :)
Archangel_James
04-13-06, 07:06 PM I'd love to run/play a core only game, or a core+psi game, or a core+complete game. I'd like to because I'd rather that we adapt new ideas with a) roleplaying and b) house rules. The problem is, I can't find 4 other players who agree with me.
Seeker95
04-13-06, 08:14 PM I'd love to run/play a core only game, [...] The problem is, I can't find 4 other players who agree with me.If you're the DM, you only need to find four players. And that's pretty easy in most places. DM sets the rules, and the players play with them.
Vaalingrade Ashland
04-13-06, 09:04 PM Player don't have to play with you just because you're the DM.
lugnut71
04-13-06, 09:33 PM No but if your crazy enough or willing to break the law you can certainly make them want to play with you over the other options.
Suzaku455
04-13-06, 09:37 PM But players can do the same with a DM
Seeker95
04-14-06, 07:16 AM Player don't have to play with you just because you're the DM.In 28 years of gaming, it has never taken more than a week to find players for a game that I am DMing.
It can take much longer to find a DM when you're a player that wants to start a game.
Beezelbob
04-14-06, 08:25 AM Agreed. It has always seemed that everybody wants to be a player, but nobody wants to DM.
OravennasBrother
04-14-06, 10:13 AM I run core only. Though I have at times been tempted ot adopt the policy of a fellow I once met. He would allow ANY supplement, but only if the player bought him a copy of the rules. Not gave him a copy of the class/spell someone wanted to play; Purchase a complete book to be GIVEN to that DM.

I never bought into the "Players should have Complete Freedom of Choice regardless of what it does to the campaign" School of thought. Every extra thing I must track/allow for makes my job as DM harder. Sure some players "REFUSE" to play due to some alleged moral constraint, but I can do without those. BEcause even if they can be convinced to take a turn behind the screen, the ones I have encountered IRL run such drivel that no one can tolerate it.

And some people wonder why the number of DM's is steadily decreasing with the proliferation of extra rules.
DM_Greatness
04-14-06, 04:08 PM I'm running a Core + Psi game atm. Love it.
- My only hardship is that Psionics are just a touch strong compared to just the Core rules
- My wish is they just add Psionics to the players handbook in 4th ed, and with better balancing.

Always have. I DM a core-only game. Core-only lets all the players start on the same page. It makes the boundaries of what is permitted (and expected) clear and discrete.

If a player wants his PC to have a spell not found in the PHB, s/he has to research it (if I approve in the first place). Although I use plenty of supplements as DM, these are sourcebooks for the storyline I am crafting. I reserve the right to introduce new spells and magic items from any source I like, usually as treasure discovered on the body or in the hoard of a defeated NPC.

^^^^ Awesome post. I'd be proud to play in your game.
The_Levitator
04-14-06, 05:35 PM Since upgrading to 3.5 a few years ago, my group has been happy with Core + FR. The thought of incorporating everything available into a world and keeping it balanced and believable is a dizzying one. I've been a little jaded toward munchkins toting quintuple-classed with stuff I've never heard of because very few gamers seem to even know how to play them well. Just a few weeks ago, one of my regulars brought his girlfriend's brother to a session. Now, he's 17, but he's a pretty mature guy. He comes in wanting to play a triple class/multiracial character with classes I've only heard of on these forums. His jaw drops when I tell him that we use core rules + FR only and you actually have to start at 1st level. So he decides to take a cleric. e makes some really strange choices like choosing Lathander (who's favored weapon is a mace) but weilding a longsword. I had even offered to give him a MW mace beforehand (no bonuses though) and he still chose the longsword. Not to mention, he didn't pick any healing spells nor bother to procure some healing potions from his temple. Needless to say he got himself and an NPC killed in 1 session. It's funny how some people who want to create the most exotic character on the planet couldn't keep a 1st lvl. cleric alive long enough to make 2nd.

From being on this forum for a little bit now, I'm convinced that there are many players capable of playing super-exotic players very well. I just don't get a chance to see them in action in my little corner of the world. What would be awesome for me would be to watch a DM run a campaign with all powergamers and min/maxers. That has to be one organized DM! :)

Core rules has a ton of options to have rich and detailed characters. My players choose feats and skills to customize their characters into whatever it is they are aiming for. We don't have a samurai class, but a creative person could sure create the flavor of one with the feats and skills available from core+FR.

I can certainly see the value in all of the add-ons available to the modern DM. It's a huge evolution from the old days in 1E!! We were left to make a lot of stuff up on our own back then! ;)
DM_Greatness
04-14-06, 10:12 PM ^^^^^ Great post as well. Lord, I'm glad to see that there ARE players like me still left in this world :D
Auburn
04-15-06, 12:51 AM I like the core classes pretty much. Except I'd kick out barbarian, bard, druid, and sorceror. I'm cool with non-core races provided its an actual unique race and not a subrace or a half-something with the multi-whatever template and any other thing that sounds similar to that sort of thing. Plus I'd thin out the ranks of subraces especially elf subraces to just normal elves and avariel.
Andrew_980
04-15-06, 04:33 AM I run core plus a few pre-reviewed and carefully considered additions, such as indevidual spells/feat/gear/prcs. I don't allow any other full books except the eberron campeign book.
DMDaddy
04-15-06, 01:29 PM I like core + ECS + Sharn. In 2nd edition I allowed the players to use all supplements and any houserules they could think of and item creation and all. Powergamers/Min/Maxers to the core. I got tired of the Samurai/jedi/Mla/Blah/This/That with this and that who would wine when his character couldn't do a husan tripple flip twist slice chop while swinging from a rope in an antigravity feild under a slow spell effect.

With core the focus isn't completely on great builds. It's about simplicity for a good roleplaying experience.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
babysamurai 04-13-06, 11:17 AM	Now don't get me wrong; I love all the supplements/options I can get me greasy mitts on - hell, the Planescape campaign I'm running right now I allow every WotC product to be used by me and my players...even Dragon/Dungeon magazines. ..And it's fantastic, but just sometimes...sometimes, I would like to start up a campaign where it's the core books only with a 28 point buy and clear my head. Sort of like pulling your brain out and giving it a good rinse. Does anybody else ever feel this way?
Seeker95 04-13-06, 12:02 PM	Always have. I DM a core-only game. Core-only lets all the players start on the same page. It makes the boundaries of what is permitted (and expected) clear and discrete. If a player wants his PC to have a spell not found in the PHB, s/he has to research it (if I approve in the first place). Although I use plenty of supplements as DM, these are sourcebooks for the storyline I am crafting. I reserve the right to introduce new spells and magic items from any source I like, usually as treasure discovered on the body or in the hoard of a defeated NPC.
celtredleg 04-13-06, 04:30 PM	My last campaign was core plus complete. So this time I am opening up a bit again.
Vaalingrade Ashland 04-13-06, 04:43 PM	Running a game without my UA and Draconomicon? Dude, I'd fight you first.
Mirikon 04-13-06, 04:43 PM	Hell no.
Beezelbob 04-13-06, 06:58 PM	My current campaign I had everybody start out with just core. I told them that after third level we'd start to introduce other things, i.e. the completes, races, etc. They are now fourth level and the only requests so far have been for some spells from the Spell Compendium. So overall, it has worked out well. :)
Archangel_James 04-13-06, 07:06 PM	I'd love to run/play a core only game, or a core+psi game, or a core+complete game. I'd like to because I'd rather that we adapt new ideas with a) roleplaying and b) house rules. The problem is, I can't find 4 other players who agree with me.
Seeker95 04-13-06, 08:14 PM	I'd love to run/play a core only game, [...] The problem is, I can't find 4 other players who agree with me.If you're the DM, you only need to find four players. And that's pretty easy in most places. DM sets the rules, and the players play with them.
Vaalingrade Ashland 04-13-06, 09:04 PM	Player don't have to play with you just because you're the DM.
lugnut71 04-13-06, 09:33 PM	No but if your crazy enough or willing to break the law you can certainly make them want to play with you over the other options.
Suzaku455 04-13-06, 09:37 PM	But players can do the same with a DM
Seeker95 04-14-06, 07:16 AM	Player don't have to play with you just because you're the DM.In 28 years of gaming, it has never taken more than a week to find players for a game that I am DMing. It can take much longer to find a DM when you're a player that wants to start a game.
Beezelbob 04-14-06, 08:25 AM	Agreed. It has always seemed that everybody wants to be a player, but nobody wants to DM.
OravennasBrother 04-14-06, 10:13 AM	I run core only. Though I have at times been tempted ot adopt the policy of a fellow I once met. He would allow ANY supplement, but only if the player bought him a copy of the rules. Not gave him a copy of the class/spell someone wanted to play; Purchase a complete book to be GIVEN to that DM. I never bought into the "Players should have Complete Freedom of Choice regardless of what it does to the campaign" School of thought. Every extra thing I must track/allow for makes my job as DM harder. Sure some players "REFUSE" to play due to some alleged moral constraint, but I can do without those. BEcause even if they can be convinced to take a turn behind the screen, the ones I have encountered IRL run such drivel that no one can tolerate it. And some people wonder why the number of DM's is steadily decreasing with the proliferation of extra rules.
DM_Greatness 04-14-06, 04:08 PM	I'm running a Core + Psi game atm. Love it. - My only hardship is that Psionics are just a touch strong compared to just the Core rules - My wish is they just add Psionics to the players handbook in 4th ed, and with better balancing. Always have. I DM a core-only game. Core-only lets all the players start on the same page. It makes the boundaries of what is permitted (and expected) clear and discrete. If a player wants his PC to have a spell not found in the PHB, s/he has to research it (if I approve in the first place). Although I use plenty of supplements as DM, these are sourcebooks for the storyline I am crafting. I reserve the right to introduce new spells and magic items from any source I like, usually as treasure discovered on the body or in the hoard of a defeated NPC. ^^^^ Awesome post. I'd be proud to play in your game.
The_Levitator 04-14-06, 05:35 PM	Since upgrading to 3.5 a few years ago, my group has been happy with Core + FR. The thought of incorporating everything available into a world and keeping it balanced and believable is a dizzying one. I've been a little jaded toward munchkins toting quintuple-classed with stuff I've never heard of because very few gamers seem to even know how to play them well. Just a few weeks ago, one of my regulars brought his girlfriend's brother to a session. Now, he's 17, but he's a pretty mature guy. He comes in wanting to play a triple class/multiracial character with classes I've only heard of on these forums. His jaw drops when I tell him that we use core rules + FR only and you actually have to start at 1st level. So he decides to take a cleric. e makes some really strange choices like choosing Lathander (who's favored weapon is a mace) but weilding a longsword. I had even offered to give him a MW mace beforehand (no bonuses though) and he still chose the longsword. Not to mention, he didn't pick any healing spells nor bother to procure some healing potions from his temple. Needless to say he got himself and an NPC killed in 1 session. It's funny how some people who want to create the most exotic character on the planet couldn't keep a 1st lvl. cleric alive long enough to make 2nd. From being on this forum for a little bit now, I'm convinced that there are many players capable of playing super-exotic players very well. I just don't get a chance to see them in action in my little corner of the world. What would be awesome for me would be to watch a DM run a campaign with all powergamers and min/maxers. That has to be one organized DM! :) Core rules has a ton of options to have rich and detailed characters. My players choose feats and skills to customize their characters into whatever it is they are aiming for. We don't have a samurai class, but a creative person could sure create the flavor of one with the feats and skills available from core+FR. I can certainly see the value in all of the add-ons available to the modern DM. It's a huge evolution from the old days in 1E!! We were left to make a lot of stuff up on our own back then! ;)
DM_Greatness 04-14-06, 10:12 PM	^^^^^ Great post as well. Lord, I'm glad to see that there ARE players like me still left in this world :D
Auburn 04-15-06, 12:51 AM	I like the core classes pretty much. Except I'd kick out barbarian, bard, druid, and sorceror. I'm cool with non-core races provided its an actual unique race and not a subrace or a half-something with the multi-whatever template and any other thing that sounds similar to that sort of thing. Plus I'd thin out the ranks of subraces especially elf subraces to just normal elves and avariel.
Andrew_980 04-15-06, 04:33 AM	I run core plus a few pre-reviewed and carefully considered additions, such as indevidual spells/feat/gear/prcs. I don't allow any other full books except the eberron campeign book.
DMDaddy 04-15-06, 01:29 PM	I like core + ECS + Sharn. In 2nd edition I allowed the players to use all supplements and any houserules they could think of and item creation and all. Powergamers/Min/Maxers to the core. I got tired of the Samurai/jedi/Mla/Blah/This/That with this and that who would wine when his character couldn't do a husan tripple flip twist slice chop while swinging from a rope in an antigravity feild under a slow spell effect. With core the focus isn't completely on great builds. It's about simplicity for a good roleplaying experience.