Meta Gaming/An End to Hack and Slash
Template:Meta Gaming Articles Original article by Eric Lancaster
Some players just love to make these one dimensional killing machine characters... so what do we do to dissuade them?
Here is one idea - be sure to make the players use all their skills. Design quests realistically enough that just being able to kill doesn't get the job done.
Example: Bob the HWM or sorcerer is the ultimate killing machine, and goes out to quest for a lost relic. But can Bob
- Figure out where he is going
- Buy the supplies he needs at reasonable cost
- Speak to anyone once he gets there
- Read the signs (use the library, etc.) there
- Deal with the extorting customs official without starting a war
- Find the relic
- Cross the rough terrain
- find food
- avoid dangerous wild life (nature lore, herb lore)
- swim the river, climb the mountains, etc.
- Identify the object once he finds it
- Deal with realistic obstacles
- Heal themselves/party from their wounds
You can really convince players to round out their characters with even a few adventures like this. My groups best quests involve very little killing. The seers and mystics and those with those practical skills generally are far more functional than monomaniac killing machines in this sort of trial.
