The more I play some RPGs, the more I think 4e D&D had initial power level righter than those others. Low power, high lethality isn’t the greatest way to start a game of heroic fantasy. Some games outside the D&D clones do the survivability and heroic feel better, too. Funny is that some do the gritty, eke out survival thing better, too. In some ways, it’s the attempt to stand in the middle that makes low-level design a challenge.
— Chris S. Sims (@ChrisSSims) February 7, 2021
The “low power” level one experience is a perfect example of good intentions leading to bad design. It ostensibly allows players to learn (a) the basics of the game’s systems (without having too many options to complicate things) and (b) that combat can’t solve every problem.Yep, and the latter point is something the game drifted from toward every challenge is balanced. That’s another thing you can change as DM but need to be transparent about.
— Chris S. Sims (@ChrisSSims) February 8, 2021
The question is if you want your D&D game to start out as heroic fantasy.
Early editions of D&D aren’t really heroic fantasy in the same way that modern editions are. 4E had the right power level for 4E, and for what 4E wanted to do. I agree.
— Chris S. Sims (@ChrisSSims) February 8, 2021
I’ve never understood the love for high-lethality at lower levels. It’s counter productive and not particularly fun either. Mind you, it’s a good reflection on our society: If you are low down, you are expendable and easily erased. If you fight your way up, you avoid that. I’m talking fighting rats in the inn cellar, too. I mean, some games ask you to buy in to that level of play beforehand, but it’s what no newcomer expects from a game that seems like it should replicate genre fiction to some degree.
— Chris S. Sims (@ChrisSSims) February 7, 2021