Post/Author/DateTime	Post
theodisws 05-08-07, 03:20 PM	Ok I think I'm in the minority on this since I've never seen anyone else post about it. Why is it a problem if it's broken, or unbalanced. When was the last time you were fighting a caster and you were afraid of what they were doing. Most of the time your going to make a save, which means you'll be all right in the long run. I've always been of the opinion that people should be afraid of someone who can cast meteor swarm, but now a days there not. Why? Well it's more like a video game now. I don't think the fighting classes should be balanced against the caster classes when they get to higher levels. I also think there should be spells out there that are broken. Two that come up a whole lot are Gate and Shapechange. I use them as is, why well it just seems appropriate. As a DM it can be rough but I know they have the options so I come prepared and rarely have problems. So am I completely in my own world or does anyone else have a similar opinion.
Wind of Darkness 05-08-07, 03:35 PM	Ok I think I'm in the minority on this since I've never seen anyone else post about it. Why is it a problem if it's broken, or unbalanced. When was the last time you were fighting a caster and you were afraid of what they were doing. Most of the time your going to make a save, which means you'll be all right in the long run. Actually, I'm afraid whenever I see any hostile caster. Ever. If I stop seeing him, that's even worse. You're not going to make a save "most of the time" if it's your weak save (and even if it's not, what if it's an AoE save or X (a la slow)? Someone's gonna fail, and that's never good). I've always been of the opinion that people should be afraid of someone who can cast meteor swarm, but now a days there not. Why? Well it's more like a video game now. Meteor swarm? C'mon. That's not scary. Not in the slightest. A straight Ftr 20 can deal more damage than that, and is therefore scarier. But shapechange or wail of the banshee? Yeah, I'd really rather I didn't have to face those. I don't think the fighting classes should be balanced against the caster classes when they get to higher levels. I also think there should be spells out there that are broken. Two that come up a whole lot are Gate and Shapechange. I use them as is, why well it just seems appropriate. As a DM it can be rough but I know they have the options so I come prepared and rarely have problems. My group uses 'em all as is, too. That doesn't mean I don't think that the brokenness of magic isn't a problem. I just dislike most of the fixes out there, too, so I stick with what's published because it works fairly well.
Nom 05-09-07, 02:33 AM	My group recently fought an Erinyes twice. The first time, they rapidly came to hate her unholy blight. The second time, they scattered to avoid it the moment she appeared. Even the Neutral guy wasn't fond of it.
Salla 05-09-07, 02:36 AM	Ok I think I'm in the minority on this since I've never seen anyone else post about it. Why is it a problem if it's broken, or unbalanced. When was the last time you were fighting a caster and you were afraid of what they were doing. Most of the time your going to make a save, which means you'll be all right in the long run. Assuming you GET a save. Not every spell allows them.
Manic Man 05-09-07, 04:08 AM	When was the last time you were fighting a caster and you were afraid of what they were doing. Actually most of the time if we're at high levels and if they win initiative. Then if i get hit by a MDJ *not* from the main caster (either a henchman with UMD or scroll), i know i'm in big trouble. If then DM then tells me that the main caster seemingly disappeared, its a good chance, that was time stop, not invisibility. Probably i'm dead if that happens since nowadays i play casters and casters have a big bullseye painted on them for being dangerous.
BW0222 05-09-07, 12:16 PM	theodisws, Why is it a problem if it's broken, or unbalanced. [QUOTE] Because people like some sense of fairness in their games. They don't like the outcome predetermined, they like the sense of surprise, it isn't fun seeing folks struggle, etc. That is why folks have rules in games. In D&D folks desire a balance between classes such that the game is fun for everyone. They want everyone to have an equal opportunity to participate and enjoy the game. Honestly, it isn't fun for a 1st-level bard in a campaign with two 9th-level druids. [QUOTE] I don't think the fighting classes should be balanced against the caster classes when they get to higher levels. First, a lot of folks already thing casters are unbalanced at higher levels. Second, well... that's fun for the fighters. At 10th-level they can pull up their chairs and watch the casters go at it. Run and hide. That's fun! Honestly, don't you want your friends to have fun also? If someone decides to play a non-spellcaster, to they have to sit through the last half of the campaign (2 years or so) Hint. If it isn't fun... they'll quit. The campaign ends and no one has fun. I also think there should be spells out there that are broken. Again, why? So PCs can walk through encounters without any challenge? So NPCs can kill PCs more easily? So certain PCs win nearly all the combats and everyone else has the joy of spending six months in a campaign roleplaying diner menus? So am I completely in my own world or does anyone else have a similar opinion. Sorry. Most folks understand that without balance, folks get either bored (if it is too easy for them or they can't contribute to the party) or infuriated (as they get slaughtered with equal ease). Same reason that 1st-levels don't fit in a party of 5th-level PCs or why you don't give a 1st-level PC 500,000gp. I'll look at the group I'm about to join and select characters which are specifically not going to be too weak or powerful. I won't play a druid unless everyone else is aim for as tough as possible PCs.