which apparently you're not allowed to mention on the dnd subreddits.
That first bit really irritates me. Folks, it's a game involving math. The best way to keep things rolling is to nail down as much of it as possible ahead of time.
The amount of people who treat splat books like MMO expansions despite the fact they clearly state they are optional rules to be used at your DM's discretion has always astounded me.
I've literally seen these knuckledraggers state that a DM's ruling is "Nothing but a copout".
Solution: rocks fall,
Yes, first thing I ask when joining someone's game, besides what system we are using is whats not allowed. I also don't have a hissy fit when the GM says something isn't allowed and work with him to make a PC that works for that game.
Save vs. Posion or die.
Or if people start insisting on physics literalism, show them what happens when they cast that fireball spell into a small cramped room from the hall outside. I would usually have an NPC warn that this wasn't a good idea. But hey if we want to do volume calculations based on the usual spherical shape of a fireball if cast without any obstacles around and then figure out the volume of the room and the hallway, and take into account that the NPC wouldn't recognize a fireball spell being cast anyway. . .
We need another rock for the realism fucks that plague every third game. Those motherfuckers suck out any joy out of an otherwise fun setting
Helms of brilliance are a hell of a drug.
I'm currently trying (and failing) to run some classic modules using the classless OSR game Knave. One player wanted to play a healer, and another wanted to be a magitek armor pilot from Final Fantasy. I'm tempted to change to a different system because the character concepts are baffling.
How? 3e (or at least PathFinder) is the worst offender I've come across for that kind of "it's in an official or semi-official book therefor it's legal" nonsense.
My experience is these fucks want' realism not because they want realism, but because they try to box in the DM and then try to break physics.
Agreed. Well, on the path finder part.
This is why you only play RPGs with FRIENDS. Not retards. Not troons.
Alignments are extremelly orbitrary and not the best way to define your character. They are good for making up characters on the spot or as a really-really basic template of a character's worldview.
Depends on the game and the campaign. The big issue is integrating with your fellow party members, and if you can't do that, you've got a real problem.
Alignment is irrelevant, make a character with motivations, desires, and the capability to be a team player. Any evil alignment can work in a party. Don't get hung up on the alignment axis, it's there as a guideline and not as a substitute for a personality. What makes or motivates him to be evil? In what ways is he evil? What lines will he or won't he cross? How much would it take for him to betray an ally or party member? Does he live by a code? How does he justify his behavior to himself or others? Consider these things. A Tony Soprano is more likely to make it farther in the campaign than a pile of stats with a murderhobo label slapped upon it.
Lawful Evil. It doesn't clash with the party's goals, and the selfish motivation is in line with other characters that are just after loot and power. It's just lawful evil PCs are honest about it.
That's just the simple task of reading whatever it is beforehand and deciding to allow it or not.