06-05-2003, 01:55 PM
Quote:In the original D&D, AD&D 2nd edition, and 3rd editon D&D, you roll stats first. The same goes for HackMaster, which was built using the AD&D 2nd edition rules, so I'm -really- suprised to hear you mentioning that you roll stats last in AD&D. The main problem with choosing a class first is that if you choose wizard and then roll an intelligence of 3, you no longer have a charecter. EVERY class had an attribute you had to have 9+ in (Fighter strength, Rogue dexterity, Wizard intelligence, Cleric wisdom). More advanced classes like Paladin required very good rolls, which made them special - only a few players would roll good enough to qualify.
While it's true that in the actual PnP rules you roll first, the makers of the video games decided it would be silly- I mean, if you want to be a paladin, you'll just restart and roll over and over again until you get paladin stats. They make it easier by allowing class to be chosen first(you only get stats that meet your class requirements).
I'll second the recommendation for Planescape Torment; altough it is also linear, it allows you to flesh out your character much more than the typical computer rpg.
Quote:And one last thing: I've always felt that real roleplaying works out a LOT better when you play an actual RPG, not a computer game. Computer games approach the idea of an RPG, and even have a lot of the aspects, but they're still really quite weak on the -roleplaying- aspect. The fun of roleplaying, to me, has always been saying what my charecter would and doing stuff that only they would do. In a computer game you have to pick which option best suits your charecter instead.
I agree completely. I love to play both types of games, but I have to say that PnP games really have the advantage. If you are really interested in role playing, try to find a group of friends who are willing to give it a shot.
Now if I can only find enough people willing to play PnP with me 2-6 hours a day :)
(methinks I'll still be playing computer rpgs for a while)