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Post by oldskolgmr on May 2, 2023 16:44:47 GMT -5
I played my new favorite version of D&D (OD&D), with the same house rules, in the same setting, but with a different DM and I had a different experience. I'm interested to see if others find that the version of D&D (or system used) matter less than the comfort the DM has using it. I think, for me, the DM's comfort with the version, or setting matter more. House rules, to me, have to change for each DM and their table over time to be useful.
What do you think?
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Post by simrion on May 2, 2023 17:56:24 GMT -5
I chose Sometimes. I certainly think comfort with a version plays a part in how well the game/adventure flows. I think that the DM's play style also is a significant factor. I'm playing in a hybrid 1E/2E game where the DM cannot help but play one of his own old PCs as an NPC. He has always done this in any campaign he's run.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on May 2, 2023 18:40:29 GMT -5
I chose other. I think the version of D&D and the ability/creativity of Referee matter equally. I think the version of D&D overwhelmingly affects the game experience that players have. I think that game experience, for good or bad, is tweaked by the ability/creativity of the referee. While the more experienced the Referee is with the ruleset, potentially the better game they can run, the real factor IMO is how good is the Referee at flying by the seat of their pants, can they improvise, can they quickly adapt to any curve balls that the players throw.
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Post by simrion on May 3, 2023 4:39:26 GMT -5
I chose other. I think the version of D&D and the ability/creativity of Referee matter equally. I think the version of D&D overwhelmingly affects the game experience that players have. I think that game experience, for good or bad, is tweaked by the ability/creativity of the referee. While the more experienced the Referee is with the ruleset, potentially the better game they can run, the real factor IMO is how good is the Referee at flying by the seat of their pants, can they improvise, can they quickly adapt to any curve balls that the players throw. I heartily agree with the creativity aspect of your comment. The game I'm playing in is kind of a spin-off of a 1E game I ran over 20 years ago. I suppose emulation by my friend DM is a sincere form of flattery ;-) His NPC was a character in the campaign and he's rolled the BBEG from my game into his.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on May 3, 2023 11:43:44 GMT -5
I chose Sometimes. I certainly think comfort with a version plays a part in how well the game/adventure flows. I think that the DM's play style also is a significant factor. I'm playing in a hybrid 1E/2E game where the DM cannot help but play one of his own old PCs as an NPC. He has always done this in any campaign he's run. I think I missed that on the first read. That is an interesting quirk!
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on May 3, 2023 11:47:26 GMT -5
I played my new favorite version of D&D (OD&D0, with the same house rules, in the same setting, but with a different DM and I had a different experience. I'm interested to see if others find that the version of D&D (or system used) matter less than the comfort the DM has using it. I think, for me, the DM's comfort with the version, or setting matter more. House rules, to me, have to change for each DM and their table over time to be useful.What do you think? Some of my house rules never change. For example I never use initiative. Everything is simultaneous, unless surprise is involved. But I also continually tweak and try different things. If a campaign ran a really long time with the same players and characters, they would find things gradually changing and things are not static.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 7, 2023 11:31:08 GMT -5
Improvisation and the ability of the DM to go with the flow plays a very big part in enjoying a game. I have to say, however, that the DM's comfort with a version of D&D actually plays a larger part in running a smooth flowing game session because the comfort level increases the ability to quickly make decisions on the fly and make house rules as well. In my opinion, the DM's comfort level with the system is the foundation to build your other skills from. You can be better at improvising, but improvising doesn't affect other areas as much as comfort level does. Don't get me wrong, the ability to improvise is one of the tools a DM has at their disposal, but it is definitely not the most important skill for a DM.
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