GM Won't Let DPR Machine Die

[cranewings]

I've never seen much in the way of an AR olympics around here. People scoff at healers and if they have a shield they are hitting someone with it. Defense is low on the list of priorities.

On the other hand, lots of people seem to think that a character should be able to solo a creature of CR = CL in 1-2 rounds. On top of that, the same people seem to think that the GM should tailor encounters to the group and that PCs dying is wrong.

So I ask this: is the fascination with DPR and the belief that the GM should let you win related, not because DPR is the best way of winning (over armor / healing / defense) but because sense you know you will win no matter what, winning faster than the other PC is all that matters when it comes to feeling useful.

[feytharn]

I doubt that. I am far from an 'expert', but from what I see in the discussions you mention, most 'DPR Artists' seem to contest the notion that the GM should tailor encounters to the group and take that as an argument for 'optimised' (please don't jump at me, I am using the word free of judgement) characters and parties.

[Jerry Wright 307]

cranewings wrote:

winning faster than the other PC is all that matters when it comes to feeling useful

This is the attitude I fight continuously in my campaign. I even have a couple of players who flat-out state "I'm in competition with the rest of the table".

I've been stripping everything out of my game that contributes to this attitude. I want to run an RPG world with people in it, not walking targets. I don't want to run Halo.