Combat as a role-playing tool [Archive] - Wizards Community

Combat as a role-playing tool [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
wolfram_stout
12-29-05, 02:01 PM Hi, This is a rant of no significants. Thank you in advance for your time and attention. As a gamer, I am in my late 30s have played since high school from basic-3.5 plus hoards of other games.

I have seen lots of threads and post lately talking about 3.0/3.5 taking out the roleplaying elements and focusing too much on combat and that it is now more like warhammer (or any other war-game).

To that I say hogwash. Roleplaying does not stop when combat starts.

The extensive combat rules in the core PHB, open up tons of more role-playing opportunities.

I can now roleplay that rapier wielder in style. I can go heywire in combat disarming my enemies with a dashing smile and witty jabs.
My orc barbarian can now sunder the weapon he is facing.
My knight now is very distinctive on the battlefield over the standard fighter.

Do you know what I remember about 1st & 2nd ed combat. I attack (roll) hit, roll damage, NEXT. repeat yawn.

It just seems like a lot of people who are not getting much out of D&D have the mindset that you Roleplay until you get to combat, then you do combat, then roleplaying resumes.

So, the next time you are in a game or DMing, try to use the rules of combat to enhance the gaming experience of your character (or NPCs). Trust me, it is fun, it works, and IT IS ROLEPLAYING.

Wolfram
Seeker95
12-29-05, 02:08 PM Roleplaying does not stop when combat starts.The argument you are rebutting is not that there is no roleplay in combat.

Rather, the "roleplay" and "combat" argument hinges on the assumption (erroneous, in my opinion) that a ruleset that focuses predominantly on combat must be favoring combat over roleplay. I view this as erroneous because the rules are designed to cover the *mechanics* of the game, and combat is the most intricate mechanics element. Naturally, this greater intricacy of these mechanics requires more time (pages and words) devoted to it than to other mechanics of the game.

Roleplaying applies to the whole game.
Midget_In_The_Playground
12-29-05, 02:32 PM I seem to remember an article in Redgar's Repository about Roleplaying in combat. I'll see if I can dig it up...

EDIT: Couldn't find it but it gave examples of how you can roleplay combat as your character.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wolfram_stout 12-29-05, 02:01 PM	Hi, This is a rant of no significants. Thank you in advance for your time and attention. As a gamer, I am in my late 30s have played since high school from basic-3.5 plus hoards of other games. I have seen lots of threads and post lately talking about 3.0/3.5 taking out the roleplaying elements and focusing too much on combat and that it is now more like warhammer (or any other war-game). To that I say hogwash. Roleplaying does not stop when combat starts. The extensive combat rules in the core PHB, open up tons of more role-playing opportunities. I can now roleplay that rapier wielder in style. I can go heywire in combat disarming my enemies with a dashing smile and witty jabs. My orc barbarian can now sunder the weapon he is facing. My knight now is very distinctive on the battlefield over the standard fighter. Do you know what I remember about 1st & 2nd ed combat. I attack (roll) hit, roll damage, NEXT. repeat yawn. It just seems like a lot of people who are not getting much out of D&D have the mindset that you Roleplay until you get to combat, then you do combat, then roleplaying resumes. So, the next time you are in a game or DMing, try to use the rules of combat to enhance the gaming experience of your character (or NPCs). Trust me, it is fun, it works, and IT IS ROLEPLAYING. Wolfram
Seeker95 12-29-05, 02:08 PM	Roleplaying does not stop when combat starts.The argument you are rebutting is not that there is no roleplay in combat. Rather, the "roleplay" and "combat" argument hinges on the assumption (erroneous, in my opinion) that a ruleset that focuses predominantly on combat must be favoring combat over roleplay. I view this as erroneous because the rules are designed to cover the mechanics of the game, and combat is the most intricate mechanics element. Naturally, this greater intricacy of these mechanics requires more time (pages and words) devoted to it than to other mechanics of the game. Roleplaying applies to the whole game.
Midget_In_The_Playground 12-29-05, 02:32 PM	I seem to remember an article in Redgar's Repository about Roleplaying in combat. I'll see if I can dig it up... EDIT: Couldn't find it but it gave examples of how you can roleplay combat as your character.