Power Creep, Power Seep: Difference between revisions

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* [[Dungeons and Dragons]]: dancing around both sides of [[Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards]] problem.
* [[Dungeons and Dragons]]: dancing around both sides of [[Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards]] problem.
** Initially Wizards' magic was unable to protect them from as much as a kitten chewing on one's ear, unless the spellcaster is prepared. Leading to magic-users being treated as [[Glass Cannon]] that must be protected by others at all times. In AD&D2 this was "solved" for high levels by buffing ''Stoneskin'' from "stop one attack" to "stay put indefinitely until an attack comes, then stop certain number of attacks". While by the letter of DMG [[Shooting Superman|being unable to harm the opponent]] calls for a Morale check. Still, let's weaken spellcasting disruption, right? 3e comes along, everyone who was complaining about [[Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards]] before just bursts in mad laughter, because now it's in fourth power or so. And the spellcasting disruption by attack is a min-max friendly skills check. Priests get the same, on top of having no problems with armor and generally not sucking in melee. Guess where this leads?
** Initially Wizards' magic was unable to protect them from as much as a kitten chewing on one's ear, unless the spellcaster is prepared. Leading to magic-users being treated as [[Glass Cannon]] that must be protected by others at all times. In AD&D2 this was "solved" for high levels by buffing ''Stoneskin'' from "stop one attack" to "stay put indefinitely until an attack comes, then stop certain number of attacks". While by the letter of DMG [[Shooting Superman|being unable to harm the opponent]] calls for a Morale check. Still, let's weaken spellcasting disruption, right? 3e comes along, everyone who was complaining about [[Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards]] before just bursts in mad laughter, because now it's in fourth power or so. And the spellcasting disruption by attack is a min-max friendly skills check. Priests get the same, on top of having no problems with armor and generally not sucking in melee. Guess where this leads?
** Warriors used to employ the devious tactics of "hit it again, repeat untill one of you falls over", because... [[Padded Sumo Gameplay|there's no other variants at all]]. AD&D2 sourcebooks introduced styles and other tweaks, but mostly this boils down to flavours/permanent choice of [[Tactical Rock-Paper-Scissors]], so with a few exclusions almost any combat still can be described as: "shoot it with a bow until it comes close, then hit the nearest enemy with a melee weapon while trying to stand between it and the wizard" - and when not, it's thanks to spellcasters. ''Player's Option: Combat and Tactics'' got options that get rid of [[Padded Sumo Gameplay]], up to gain/give ground rules, but PO was rushed and didn't stick. 3e arrives and it's mostly back to square 1. Because feat mechanics mostly turned options into "choose your gimmick" permanent flavours. For some reason this doesn't work too well, so along comes the bright idea: "we don't know how to ''solve'' the problem, so let's ''circumvent'' it: give them a slice of those Quadratic Wizards' pie - [[Magic Knight|Weaboo Fightan Magic]](TM)!" Don't mind "boo! hiss!" sounds. Fast forward to 4e: "wizards are now unlimited, so... let's give W.F.M. to ''everyone''! That's what called 'balance', right?". Well, no. It's the same "give broken steroids to everyone so they will be equal" idea, only renamed and with extra [[What Do You Mean It Wasn't Made on Drugs%3F mushroom]] or ten.
** Warriors used to employ the devious tactics of "hit it again, repeat untill one of you falls over", because... [[Padded Sumo Gameplay|there are no other variants]]. AD&D2 sourcebooks introduced styles and other tweaks, but mostly this boils down to flavours/permanent choice of [[Tactical Rock-Paper-Scissors]], so with a few exclusions almost any combat still can be described as: "shoot it with a bow until it comes close, then hit the nearest enemy with a melee weapon while trying to stand between it and the wizard" - and when not, it's thanks to spellcasters. ''Player's Option: Combat and Tactics'' got options that get rid of [[Padded Sumo Gameplay]], up to gain/give ground rules, but PO was rushed and didn't stick. 3e arrives and it's mostly back to square 1. Because feat mechanics mostly turned options into "choose your gimmick" permanent flavours. For some reason this doesn't work too well, so along comes the bright idea: "we don't know how to ''solve'' the problem, so let's ''circumvent'' it: give them a slice of those Quadratic Wizards' pie - [[Magic Knight|Weaboo Fightan Magic]](TM)!" Don't mind "boo! hiss!" sounds. Fast forward to 4e: "wizards are now unlimited, so... let's give W.F.M. to ''everyone''! And use nonsensical 'X times per day' limitations to fence off the obvious problem of spamming it. That's what called 'balance', right?". Well, no. It's the same "give those broken steroids to everyone so they will be equal" idea, only renamed and with extra [[What Do You Mean It Wasn't Made on Drugs%3F|mushroom]] or ten.



== Video Games ==
== Video Games ==
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