From:	Aristotle antithesis@**********.com
Subject:	Power Gaming and Benchmarking (Long)
Date:	Sat, 24 Jun 2000 05:36:54 -0400

Aristotle wrote:
"The GM is final arbitrator. I explain the level of my campaign and give
thorough guidelines for characters. I don't care if a player spends a month
tweaking a character, if it doesn't fit in my game it won't see play."

DV8 replied:
"I must say I disagree with you here. It is not only the player that has to
make adjustments, it is also the GM that has to adjust to what the players
would like to see. You will have to find a comprimise in order to keep it
enjoyable for everyone. Maybe in your neighborhood there is a wide range of
people you can pick to play in your games, but where I am from I currently
have 3 players and I don't see that changing any time soon. In order for
them to continue playing it has to be fun, it has to appeal to them."


Oh I agree with you. The example given (about a player tweaking a character
for months) was a fairly isolated incident, and further friction in the
group forced me to ask that particular player to leave the table. One of
the strongest points of my game is probably that I know my players very
well and know what will keep each player's interest. I make sure that the
'guidelines' I give for character generation are not so strict as to cut
off the creativity of my players. Comrpomise is definately very important.

Thanks,
-- Travis "Aristotle" Heldibridle