In playing in various campaigns as a PC and in listening to MANY self-proclaimed know-it-all DM's on Y/T, as well as on various other social media outlets, I've learned what lazy crybabies most (if not all) DM's are in today's 5E DnD adventures. Rather than create a proper 5e dungeon/campaign, they lazily create an antiquated 1990's (or worse/older) type dungeons and can't understand why they get their butts kicked by a group of relatively low party members. The players choosing to be a PC of some kind, (Fighter, Cleric, Monk, etc.) work and study hard to learn everything they can to create an awesome 5e based character, but most if not all DM's lazily and stubbornly "nerf" the PC's as much as they want, rather than make a better 5E type dungeon.
DM's love to boast (usually 20+ years) how long they've been a DM, or how great and brilliant ALL their plots or stories ALWAYS are... but are the same one's who complain how they- can't challenge or even TPK parties any more, or how "thisspell "broke Dnd, or how "thatfeat" breaks the game, etc... and not one of these so called DM's, (which should actually stand for "Dungeon-Mediocre", or even "Dungeon-Megalomaniac", but actually stands for Dungeon... what? "MASTER") has the ability or even the desire to craft a better 5E type dungeon. No, they prefer to complain about how bad 5E rules are rather than even consider the possibility that they are the one at fault, and the only one to blame, and instead nerf the PC's characters.
Now, in their (DM's) limited defense, the PC's need only learn their one chosen character's feats and abilities, while the DM has to learn as much as they can on, well... everything! All character-types, feats, abilities, monsters, 5E rules, various rule addendum, etc... and a whole lot more! (And universe help us when DnD 6E comes out!!!) ...but that was exactly your responsibility to do when you labeled yourself and crowned yourself DM! I know people will object to this post, and disagree, and that's fine, but we all know they are EXACTLY the stubborn and lazy DM-type I'm talking about.The 5E players of today have really stepped up their game to create awesome 5E characters to play... when in the 9 Hells are DM's going to step up their game?!
To ALL DM's... "It's not the players, the spells, feats, or anything else in the rules of Dnd 5E that "breaks the game"... it's you DM's... it's YOU!"
Leave your respectful retorts and rebuttals in the comments below.
No... it sounds like most DM's need to improve, but thanks for commenting.
EDIT: I did reference my games, but also included many Y/T and other social media outlets as sources for my statement.
Sounds like you should be talking with prospective DMs prior to joining their game to ensure they run the style of game that you want to play in. Are you having this experience IRL at the table or online? If you are playing online thats probably the reason your having so much trouble. Don't get me wrong their are some high quality DM/games online to play in but nothing beats playing F2F.
Again, someone only sites my games as a point of topic. Respectfully, no... I sited Y/T and other social media outlets to confirm my statement. I'm sure you watch people on Y/T and TWITCH, etc... who, as DM's complain about all the many things in 5E rules that "break the game". Haven't you?
Let me ask you... has your DM nerfed yours or anyone's characters in any way? 1) You can't take the "Fly" spell, or 2) You can't be a Warlock, or 3) You can't choose the "Luck" feat, etc?! or... are you a DM who's done this and what I'm talking about in my post?
I don't watch much D&D on streams beyond Critical Role and Relics & Rarities, neither of which nerf anything.
I've played with 4 DMs so far, none of them have nerfed anything. The current DM I've played with for years and the only thing he has said is if we take the Lucky feat he ups the encounter difficulty. So he doesn't nerf anything. If anything he gives us a lot: we get a lot of magic items - we don't find many, he just gives a ****ton of gold and we can buy anything, within reasonable limits - for example we have about 2 legendary items, 3 very rare, 5 or 6 rares, 8-10 uncommon and we are level 18. He also gives extra boons and stuff too. But he makes very difficult encounters. Even with our OP builds and insane combos he can make brutal encounters with near TPKs.
So, I have to disagree with you from a personal perspective since all the D&D I have watched and played has not included any nerfing, and in the case of the above, the opposite, in fact.
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No TEXAS DEVIN... it sounds like most DM's need to improve, but thanks for commenting.
Generalizing "most DMs" with said poor attitudes, outlooks, or abilities is a far-fetched theory at best. I've not encountered this throughout any of the games I've played in, nor have I ever enacted such upon my players. To dismiss anyone's opinion of such experience is not constructive to the discussion of the topic.
If I could pinpoint truth in the commentary above, it is that controversial topics on the internet receive views, and this is what YouTube/Twitch streamers are aiming for. I believe that one will find an abundance of complaints, strong viewpoints, and extremism with these types of media for the sake of bringing in viewers. Sitting down at actual tables of people looking to play the game however, doesn't bring the same outlook. They're just looking to play some D&D and have fun. Again, just my experience.
It's not combative at all, nor did I ask "for people's experiences" as you stated. I asked for people to respond in agreement or disagreement to my experiences, not their experiences. It's fine to use them as a reference, but not dismiss my comment. Isn't that combative?
I've used words like "thank you" and "respectfully" and in no way was "combative".
nor did I ask "for people's experiences" as you stated.
Well, you kind of did. First, with the title of the thread, "Is your DM a lazy nerfer?" Posing a question as a title is asking for responses to said question. Second, in your quoted response below, you have directly asked for user experience, twice.
Respectfully SEDGE, I don't believe we are on the same page. No, I did not ask, nor "kinda ask" for people's experiences as a main point. I answered the title question with "Probably Yes!" making it rhetorical. In actuality, it is you and some others whom have been quite combative with me and continually misrepresented my post.
EDIT: I missed your other point. with your repost of my: "I'm sure you watch people on Y/T and TWITCH, etc... who, as DM's complain about all the many things in 5E rules that "break the game". Haven't you?" and my: "Let me ask you... has your DM nerfed yours or anyone's characters in any way?"
Again, you misrepresent me. Those were a direct response and new question to his/her post, not a main post question.
Respectfully... you really can't see you and they are the true combative one's can you?
Leave your respectful retorts and rebuttals in the comments below.
The only nerf my group has ever issued is banning flying races (which AL also enforces, so respectable). In my experience and observations, DMs don't restrict powerful PC combinations.
In fact it is usually other players that discourage certain combinations because it makes other characters and their choices less meaningful (the main one that comes to mind is coffeelock).
THANK YOU!!!!! DxJxC... this also is a perfectly valid stand point. You and one other person disagreed with me in a constructive and non-combative way.
I’m a DM and here is how I “nerf” my players. If someone doesn’t like my table rules there are other DMs and other games.
I run a heroic game. No evil PCs and the only way I’ll allow chaotic neutral is if the player is able to play that alignment in a heroic manner.
No UA or home brewed options for PCs. I home brew all of the time and almost every magic item that I give out is unique, but PCs have to use official sources.
Players are limited to about 80% of the source books. No Eberron or Ravnica content when creating characters for example. Nothing is wrong with that content, it just doesn’t fit into my game. I don’t use it either even though I do own the books.
The flip side of that is I do have a player who has been playing an Aarakocra since 1st level. That works in my game. Sure, it doesn’t work in every game but it does work in mine and I enjoy how he’s playing his character.
Respectfully Tim... why choose to ignore established 5E rules and nerf your PC's? Why not alter your creatures and dungeon? It takes no time at all to modify creatures?
Also... your opening line was quite combative... but unlike others, I'm not a -MOD EDIT- trying to squelch ideas. I don't mind your assertiveness and I welcome your retort.
Thanks for commenting!
EDIT: Limiting sources (No Ravinca, Eberron, etc...) isn't nerfing IMO, it's refusing feats, spells, and established 5E rules I'm talking about.
Respectfully Tim... why choose to ignore established 5E rules and nerf your PC's? Why not alter your creatures and dungeon? It takes no time at all to modify creatures?
Also... your opening line was quite combative... but unlike others, I'm not a thin-skinned fascist trying to squelch ideas. I don't mind your assertiveness and I welcome your retort.
Thanks for commenting!
EDIT: Limiting sources (No Ravinca, Eberron, etc...) isn't nerfing IMO, it's refusing feats, spells, and established 5E rules I'm talking about.
Have you ever run a game before? This comment makes me believe that you have little experience as a DM. When you start throwing in flight/additional dimension into the game it slows it down. This isn't nerf so much as QOL for all at the table. Flight adds alot of issues from simple movement to additional bookkeeping (how high are you in the air), and how does ascending and descending movement interact with speed, etc
"Have you ever run a game before?" - Yes, many. I'm a long time player/DM.
"This comment makes me believe that you have little experience as a DM.' - You'd be wrong.
"When you start throwing in flight/additional dimension into the game it slows it down." - No it doesn't and this comment makes me believe you have little to no experience as DM. Nerfing caues slowdowns, now players have to come up with alternative ideas, rather than use an established 5E rule. Your DM creatures can fly... what can't the eligible PC fly? (there is only a complaint as an answer to this question, not a valid argument, but you are free to try.)
" Flight adds alot of issues...etc." Tough, you wanted to be DM, deal with it. And it's not hard... The DM has an entire arsenal of monsters/creatures etc... and it's the Dm who has the overwhelming advantage, not the PC's and their feats and spells.
" Flight adds alot of issues...etc." Tough, you wanted to be DM, deal with it. And it's not hard... The DM has an entire arsenal of monsters/creatures etc... and it's the Dm who has the overwhelming advantage, not the PC's and their feats and spells.
Thx
You do realize that DND isn't the DM vs the players right? Its all about telling a fun and engaging story. I guess this is an agree to disagree situation. Also bear in mind that not allowing a single race is not a nerf. Not every race exists in every single world. A DM might have developed a world where flight isn't possible. Everything is secondary to the story.
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Greetings and Salutations DnD'ers,
In playing in various campaigns as a PC and in listening to MANY self-proclaimed know-it-all DM's on Y/T, as well as on various other social media outlets, I've learned what lazy crybabies most (if not all) DM's are in today's 5E DnD adventures. Rather than create a proper 5e dungeon/campaign, they lazily create an antiquated 1990's (or worse/older) type dungeons and can't understand why they get their butts kicked by a group of relatively low party members. The players choosing to be a PC of some kind, (Fighter, Cleric, Monk, etc.) work and study hard to learn everything they can to create an awesome 5e based character, but most if not all DM's lazily and stubbornly "nerf" the PC's as much as they want, rather than make a better 5E type dungeon.
DM's love to boast (usually 20+ years) how long they've been a DM, or how great and brilliant ALL their plots or stories ALWAYS are... but are the same one's who complain how they- can't challenge or even TPK parties any more, or how "this spell "broke Dnd, or how "that feat" breaks the game, etc... and not one of these so called DM's, (which should actually stand for "Dungeon-Mediocre", or even "Dungeon-Megalomaniac", but actually stands for Dungeon... what? "MASTER") has the ability or even the desire to craft a better 5E type dungeon. No, they prefer to complain about how bad 5E rules are rather than even consider the possibility that they are the one at fault, and the only one to blame, and instead nerf the PC's characters.
Now, in their (DM's) limited defense, the PC's need only learn their one chosen character's feats and abilities, while the DM has to learn as much as they can on, well... everything! All character-types, feats, abilities, monsters, 5E rules, various rule addendum, etc... and a whole lot more! (And universe help us when DnD 6E comes out!!!) ...but that was exactly your responsibility to do when you labeled yourself and crowned yourself DM! I know people will object to this post, and disagree, and that's fine, but we all know they are EXACTLY the stubborn and lazy DM-type I'm talking about.The 5E players of today have really stepped up their game to create awesome 5E characters to play... when in the 9 Hells are DM's going to step up their game?!
To ALL DM's... "It's not the players, the spells, feats, or anything else in the rules of Dnd 5E that "breaks the game"... it's you DM's... it's YOU!"
Leave your respectful retorts and rebuttals in the comments below.
Sounds like perhaps you need to be playing with different DMs
"Not all those who wander are lost"
No TEXAS DEVIN... it sounds like most DM's need to improve, but thanks for commenting.
EDIT: I did reference my games, but also included many Y/T and other social media outlets as sources for my statement.
Sounds like you should be talking with prospective DMs prior to joining their game to ensure they run the style of game that you want to play in. Are you having this experience IRL at the table or online? If you are playing online thats probably the reason your having so much trouble. Don't get me wrong their are some high quality DM/games online to play in but nothing beats playing F2F.
Thank you also 1stsono... for commenting.
Again, someone only sites my games as a point of topic. Respectfully, no... I sited Y/T and other social media outlets to confirm my statement. I'm sure you watch people on Y/T and TWITCH, etc... who, as DM's complain about all the many things in 5E rules that "break the game". Haven't you?
Let me ask you... has your DM nerfed yours or anyone's characters in any way? 1) You can't take the "Fly" spell, or 2) You can't be a Warlock, or 3) You can't choose the "Luck" feat, etc?! or... are you a DM who's done this and what I'm talking about in my post?
This is a weirdly combative thread.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Most DM's will think that, but it's only a conversation. Have you nerfed player characters as a DM TEXAS?
I don't watch much D&D on streams beyond Critical Role and Relics & Rarities, neither of which nerf anything.
I've played with 4 DMs so far, none of them have nerfed anything. The current DM I've played with for years and the only thing he has said is if we take the Lucky feat he ups the encounter difficulty. So he doesn't nerf anything. If anything he gives us a lot: we get a lot of magic items - we don't find many, he just gives a ****ton of gold and we can buy anything, within reasonable limits - for example we have about 2 legendary items, 3 very rare, 5 or 6 rares, 8-10 uncommon and we are level 18. He also gives extra boons and stuff too. But he makes very difficult encounters. Even with our OP builds and insane combos he can make brutal encounters with near TPKs.
So, I have to disagree with you from a personal perspective since all the D&D I have watched and played has not included any nerfing, and in the case of the above, the opposite, in fact.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I'm inclined to agree. One should not ask for people's experiences, but then dismiss the ones which don't align with the stated agenda as invalid.
Generalizing "most DMs" with said poor attitudes, outlooks, or abilities is a far-fetched theory at best. I've not encountered this throughout any of the games I've played in, nor have I ever enacted such upon my players. To dismiss anyone's opinion of such experience is not constructive to the discussion of the topic.
If I could pinpoint truth in the commentary above, it is that controversial topics on the internet receive views, and this is what YouTube/Twitch streamers are aiming for. I believe that one will find an abundance of complaints, strong viewpoints, and extremism with these types of media for the sake of bringing in viewers. Sitting down at actual tables of people looking to play the game however, doesn't bring the same outlook. They're just looking to play some D&D and have fun. Again, just my experience.
THANK YOU Cyb3... !!!!
Your DM does the right thing! They don't nerf the PC, but modify their dungeon. This is exactly my point and recommendation.
Thank you SEDGE...
It's not combative at all, nor did I ask "for people's experiences" as you stated. I asked for people to respond in agreement or disagreement to my experiences, not their experiences. It's fine to use them as a reference, but not dismiss my comment. Isn't that combative?
I've used words like "thank you" and "respectfully" and in no way was "combative".
... But thanks for commenting
Well, you kind of did. First, with the title of the thread, "Is your DM a lazy nerfer?" Posing a question as a title is asking for responses to said question. Second, in your quoted response below, you have directly asked for user experience, twice.
Just want to make sure we're on the same page here.
Respectfully SEDGE, I don't believe we are on the same page. No, I did not ask, nor "kinda ask" for people's experiences as a main point. I answered the title question with "Probably Yes!" making it rhetorical. In actuality, it is you and some others whom have been quite combative with me and continually misrepresented my post.
EDIT: I missed your other point. with your repost of my: "I'm sure you watch people on Y/T and TWITCH, etc... who, as DM's complain about all the many things in 5E rules that "break the game". Haven't you?" and my: "Let me ask you... has your DM nerfed yours or anyone's characters in any way?"
Again, you misrepresent me. Those were a direct response and new question to his/her post, not a main post question.
Respectfully... you really can't see you and they are the true combative one's can you?
The only nerf my group has ever issued is banning flying races (which AL also enforces, so respectable). In my experience and observations, DMs don't restrict powerful PC combinations.
In fact it is usually other players that discourage certain combinations because it makes other characters and their choices less meaningful (the main one that comes to mind is coffeelock).
THANK YOU!!!!! DxJxC... this also is a perfectly valid stand point. You and one other person disagreed with me in a constructive and non-combative way.
Thank you for commenting!
I’m a DM and here is how I “nerf” my players. If someone doesn’t like my table rules there are other DMs and other games.
The flip side of that is I do have a player who has been playing an Aarakocra since 1st level. That works in my game. Sure, it doesn’t work in every game but it does work in mine and I enjoy how he’s playing his character.
Professional computer geek
Respectfully Tim... why choose to ignore established 5E rules and nerf your PC's? Why not alter your creatures and dungeon? It takes no time at all to modify creatures?
Also... your opening line was quite combative... but unlike others, I'm not a -MOD EDIT- trying to squelch ideas. I don't mind your assertiveness and I welcome your retort.
Thanks for commenting!
EDIT: Limiting sources (No Ravinca, Eberron, etc...) isn't nerfing IMO, it's refusing feats, spells, and established 5E rules I'm talking about.
Have you ever run a game before? This comment makes me believe that you have little experience as a DM. When you start throwing in flight/additional dimension into the game it slows it down. This isn't nerf so much as QOL for all at the table. Flight adds alot of issues from simple movement to additional bookkeeping (how high are you in the air), and how does ascending and descending movement interact with speed, etc
To 1stson...
"Have you ever run a game before?" - Yes, many. I'm a long time player/DM.
"This comment makes me believe that you have little experience as a DM.' - You'd be wrong.
"When you start throwing in flight/additional dimension into the game it slows it down." - No it doesn't and this comment makes me believe you have little to no experience as DM. Nerfing caues slowdowns, now players have to come up with alternative ideas, rather than use an established 5E rule. Your DM creatures can fly... what can't the eligible PC fly? (there is only a complaint as an answer to this question, not a valid argument, but you are free to try.)
" Flight adds alot of issues...etc." Tough, you wanted to be DM, deal with it. And it's not hard... The DM has an entire arsenal of monsters/creatures etc... and it's the Dm who has the overwhelming advantage, not the PC's and their feats and spells.
Thx
You do realize that DND isn't the DM vs the players right? Its all about telling a fun and engaging story. I guess this is an agree to disagree situation. Also bear in mind that not allowing a single race is not a nerf. Not every race exists in every single world. A DM might have developed a world where flight isn't possible. Everything is secondary to the story.