Community

I've noticed a disturbing trend recently, first at a panel at GenCon, then again here on the forums:

Lack of imagination in DMs.

Dungeons & Dragons is a game of imagination. That phrase gets bandied about a lot, of course, but it's true and it's worth analyzing a bit.  D&D is played primarily in the imagination.  The minis are just representations of the characters; the mechanics are just abstractions of the characters' bodies and minds.  The game actually takes place inside the mind of each person sitting around the table.

Which is why I get confused at DMs complaining because certain abilities can be combined to, theoretically, deal unexpectedly large amounts of damage in certain circumstances.  The implication is that this "breaks the game."

If the players are dealing so much damage that they're easily killing monsters, make the monsters harder.  Increase their HP.  Give the monsters special abilities.  Introduce higher-level monsters.

The only thing that can truly break D&D is a lack of imagination.

Just to start this blog off with a bang:

Role-playing is just as possible in D&D 4th Edition as it is in 3.5, or any other role-playing game.

Yes, there are more things to keep track of. The mechanics are more complex, and require more thought.

But if that truly keeps you from role-playing, how good of a role-player are you? I mean no disrespect in this; I'm honestly asking the question.  Can't a good role-player play his or her role no matter how many rules are in the system?

Because ultimately, no matter how many dice are rolled and no matter how many rules you may look up, you're still standing back and describing the action. You're still deciding what to do. You're still winking at the other players, putting on a fake accent, and running with an idea.

Aren't you?