D&D General Should D&D Be "Hard"

[Lanefan]

P.S. Deadly just means a PC is likely to die. Not guaranteed, not a TPK, just likely.

If that's "deadly" then what term is there for an encounter where one or more PCs is pretty much guaranteed to die unless the party avoids it, flees, or finds another solution that doesn't involve combat?

 

[pointofyou]

If that's "deadly" then what term is there for an encounter where one or more PCs is pretty much guaranteed to die unless the party avoids it, flees, or finds another solution that doesn't involve combat?

D&D 5e does not have a term for such an encounter.

 

[Oofta]

If that's "deadly" then what term is there for an encounter where one or more PCs is pretty much guaranteed to die unless the party avoids it, flees, or finds another solution that doesn't involve combat?

A Lanefan special encounter?

 

[Incenjucar]

I prefer predictable and adjustable.

 

[pointofyou]

I prefer predictable and adjustable.

I think I agree. As DM I should be able to make the game as hard as I want to and the game should make it clear how to do that.

 

[Raiztt]

D&D should be 'hard enough' that it actually becomes less popular and more niche.

 

[pointofyou]

D&D should be 'hard enough' that it actually becomes less popular and more niche.

Heavens forbid the game be attractive to new players.

 

[Oofta]

D&D should be 'hard enough' that it actually becomes less popular and more niche.

You want the game to fail?

 

[cranberry]

Really? Had a teaching campaign years ago for my kids, nieces and nephews. They were attached to their characters and asked for no permanent deaths, so I put in other sorts of complications and problems when those sorts of things would otherwise happen.

Please tell me that it didn't happen, or that we were playing wrong. Please tell me that table wishes should never factor in, that there must always be a risk of permadeath.

You can say "I want a risk of character death at my table". Or even "most table seem to want X". But speaking in absolutes like "always" for your preference is just trying to say your way is the only right way to play. And that doesn't fly.

It's just my opinion. Others may disagree, and play differently.

You are entitled to your opinion, as am I.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Heavens forbid the game be attractive to new players.

I think that's the point.

Why should your hobby outlive you?