Recent content by bloodtide

This is true enough for most games. Though there is the whole DM side too as optimizers want an easy game play style too. And they want a DM that is "on their side". Sounds good to me!

There are big problems with this....not the least of that is Peer Pressure and Conformity. "Everyone" quite often says the same things as they want to fit it: it is human nature, It does not make "everyone" right, ever. The Majority is not always right....

As I said, the bulk of the jerk optimizers what to be a super star in the game. And they can only do that in an easy game. Again, please note there is nothing wrong with having and running an easy game. If it is your idea of fun it is fine. It is rare to see well rounded characters, even...

I just about never find this to be the case. Put the optimizer in any game except an easy game and they won't have fun. A big part of optimization for a lot of players is the spotlight and the fandom. They want to do some amazing game mechanisms in front of an audience. They want all the...

And if the PCs only take small amounts of damage sometimes and the DM makes sure no PCs die ever, it is a big boon. The big point here is an optimizer can have the character take even extreme risks as they know the DM won't do anything. I agree this is the only two things that can happen in...

Sure, it was agreed that there are a few good optimizers. A few diamonds in the rough. Really....nothing to say about them. So, ok, all of the bulk of other optimizers: Happens to me a lot, I'm used to it. Optimizer Doppelganger- this is a cover word used by bad players that either want...

If an Optimizer does not have a Buddy DM they don't get the 'fun' of optimization. They need that DM that is 100% on their side. Or the DM that is Clueless. Or the DM that is Spineless. Or a DM that is all three. Your Definition is fine for an "Ideal" one, but like most definitions it...

I would put -5 at not knowing how to play much at all. The first timer, or the guy that played with his brother a couple times or that classic guy that played a little back at school. Also that casual player that plays in a game every couple months. -4 Are the players with no interest in the...

I'm sure. As a DM you don't toss around your Ego making your character "super duper" to ruin the fun of others and "win the game" in your mind. As a +10 game type DM I can say this is not exactly true, as there is more to it. Optimizers MUST play in low games, like zero, in order to get their...

I am this type a DM. And I do love breaking Optimizers and send them crying from the game. But to back up a bit..... I do love optimization, and I'm an optimizer myself. Though as a Forever DM I am a homebrew optimizer: To be clear I don't play the silly Magic Card sub game of "who has...

D&D!

Sure there are very few optimizers that do it for good complex reasons. The bulk are jerks, or worse. Optimization is fuel for egos. The player is just thinking about themselves and specificity is not thinking about others. They must. Other then the few good ones, all optimizers are doing...

The obnoxious personality and optimization go hand in hand for nearly all players. This is possible for mature, intelligent players. Most people won't notice this type of optimization at all. Maybe 50% personality problems, 20% houserules/gentleman agreement/Happy Fun rule changes, 20% weak...

Every game has poorly written or edited stuff, and this does not even count typos and mistakes. I find 5E in general to be very weak, but I'm a 2E power gamer. It is not a problem in my games. I love to humble and break optimizers. It is a big reason I run games. There is a big difference...

There are some quarks here though: The biggest problem is that in a lot of games, and even more D&D, that if the player just picks and plays an "average" character they will be super over powered at best, and a full munchkin at worse. All while not "really doing it". This is a game rule...