Re: mechanics of surprise

Erol K. Bayburt wrote:

> My current working theory is that D&D spells are excessively powerful,
> and that this has warped the rest of the system.

     I think mostly it's that DnD's spells are often distinct in effect 
from the rest of the system. Spell users can choose to ignore the 
mundane character's skills and abilities (and thus most of the 
challenges in the game) simply by using their own unique part of the 
game system.

     That's hardly unique to DnD.

> In the past I've groused that "xD&D doesn't have wizards; it has
> artillery pieces *disguised* as wizards."

     DnD's wizards are modelled on Chainmail's wizards, which were 
invisible, fear-causing, artillery pieces. These days there's more 
options, and probably better ones, but they're not as obvious.

     Try buffing the grunts, scuffing the enemy, and working crowd 
control; it's better than artillery these days. Master the fights 
instead of bypassing them.

-- 
     tussock

Aspie at work, sorry in advance.