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LFR vs. normal

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
austinff7
Aug 18, 2008 10:45:09 which is better lfr or the normal D&D im realy confused so can someone help me i dont know what to play
#2
zaydrache
Aug 18, 2008 11:32:03 Living Forgotten Realms also known as LFR is the rpga campaign setting. Forgotten Realms is a published setting for adventures. The Points of Light setting currently in the Dungeon Masters Guide and featured in the current run of published adventures including Keep on the Shadowfell and so on is a loosely based campaign setting which can be easily added to with whatever content you wish.

Forgotten Realms is a much more structured campaign setting with a large amount of lore and locations for use. Realms can be very limiting to new players and DM's but can also be very helpful by providing lots of background. Due to the Forgotten Realms Players guide not coming out till next month. I would suggest starting with Points of Light right now unless you have local RPGA members running games in your area. In which case getting in on a RPGA game now would allow you to start fresh in the new reboot of the setting with the set of adventures that came out at gencon.

Hope this helps.
#3
austinff7
Aug 18, 2008 22:19:46 so can i use my normal character in lfr
#4
serphet
Aug 18, 2008 22:26:43 if made with the rpga guidlines (method 1 and 2, no rolling on stats), and follows the other guidlines. See the rules here http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/downloads .

LFR is simply a global 'living' campaign.
#5
gargs454
Aug 19, 2008 14:08:40
which is better lfr or the normal D&D im realy confused so can someone help me i dont know what to play

Sorry to add to the confusion, but the answer to your question is Yes.

Its really a matter of personal preference. Both LFR and your own home campaign have advantages and disadvantages and different people like different types of campaigns. With LFR, one of the great advantages for the DM is that most of the work is done for him. There should be plenty of modules available and the campaign world is already set, etc.

From a player standpoint its also nice in that you have an opportunity to help shape an ongoing campaign played by thousands (if not more) of people around the world. Additionally, if you go to events like GenCon you can take your character with you and jump into most any group there.

Disadvantages though include, that because the mods are designed to be run in conventions, there is a certain amount of strongarming/railroading that gets done from time to time. Also, the adventures are designed to fit into 4 hour time slots, so they are over quickly and tend not to immediately hook onto each other (like a homebrew campaign might). That being said, there will be quest-based adventures (i.e. adventures that your character gains access to by virtue of completing certain tasks or quests in previous modules).

Personally, as a DM I tend to prefer creating my own world and adventures, and so frequently shy away from the living campaigns, but I also like playing in them (mainly at times because I'm the only DM in my group, so the campaigns like LFR are my only opportunity for playing).

All of that said, I played a number of LFR mods at GenCon and had a blast. So I certainly couldn't recommend against LFR, it just depends on what your particular group prefers to do.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 austinff7 Aug 18, 2008 10:45:09	which is better lfr or the normal D&D im realy confused so can someone help me i dont know what to play
#2 zaydrache Aug 18, 2008 11:32:03	Living Forgotten Realms also known as LFR is the rpga campaign setting. Forgotten Realms is a published setting for adventures. The Points of Light setting currently in the Dungeon Masters Guide and featured in the current run of published adventures including Keep on the Shadowfell and so on is a loosely based campaign setting which can be easily added to with whatever content you wish. Forgotten Realms is a much more structured campaign setting with a large amount of lore and locations for use. Realms can be very limiting to new players and DM's but can also be very helpful by providing lots of background. Due to the Forgotten Realms Players guide not coming out till next month. I would suggest starting with Points of Light right now unless you have local RPGA members running games in your area. In which case getting in on a RPGA game now would allow you to start fresh in the new reboot of the setting with the set of adventures that came out at gencon. Hope this helps.
#3 austinff7 Aug 18, 2008 22:19:46	so can i use my normal character in lfr
#4 serphet Aug 18, 2008 22:26:43	if made with the rpga guidlines (method 1 and 2, no rolling on stats), and follows the other guidlines. See the rules here http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/downloads . LFR is simply a global 'living' campaign.
#5 gargs454 Aug 19, 2008 14:08:40	which is better lfr or the normal D&D im realy confused so can someone help me i dont know what to play Sorry to add to the confusion, but the answer to your question is Yes. Its really a matter of personal preference. Both LFR and your own home campaign have advantages and disadvantages and different people like different types of campaigns. With LFR, one of the great advantages for the DM is that most of the work is done for him. There should be plenty of modules available and the campaign world is already set, etc. From a player standpoint its also nice in that you have an opportunity to help shape an ongoing campaign played by thousands (if not more) of people around the world. Additionally, if you go to events like GenCon you can take your character with you and jump into most any group there. Disadvantages though include, that because the mods are designed to be run in conventions, there is a certain amount of strongarming/railroading that gets done from time to time. Also, the adventures are designed to fit into 4 hour time slots, so they are over quickly and tend not to immediately hook onto each other (like a homebrew campaign might). That being said, there will be quest-based adventures (i.e. adventures that your character gains access to by virtue of completing certain tasks or quests in previous modules). Personally, as a DM I tend to prefer creating my own world and adventures, and so frequently shy away from the living campaigns, but I also like playing in them (mainly at times because I'm the only DM in my group, so the campaigns like LFR are my only opportunity for playing). All of that said, I played a number of LFR mods at GenCon and had a blast. So I certainly couldn't recommend against LFR, it just depends on what your particular group prefers to do.