this post was submitted on 28 Mar 2025
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Combat can be fun, but DnD in particular reeaaally drags sometimes. An excellent DM helps, but even Dimension 20 takes a full session for a big combat encounter, which is usually just exhausting IMO. I much prefer systems like PBTA that keep combat pretty breezy and improv-friendly.
It isn't just D&D. I've picked up Cyberpunk RED recently - combat is more streamlined, but it can still drag.
Yeah fair, most of the more granular systems go that way. I know Pathfinder fights can take a minute as well.
Most ttrpgs are a roleplaying game glued to a strategy game and we flip flop between the games as we play. PBTA is a roleplaying game end to end. I love it with a group that enjoys roleplaying and doesn't care for strategy.
D&D 4e was unpopular but honestly I loved how streamlined it made combat. I wish they hadn’t entirely done away with it when making 5e.
B/X is good. When characters have d6 hp and it's instant death at 0 the combat becomes way more serious and tense.