Just a Numbers Game?

Sometimes I sit back and think about some of the things I observe within DDO and wonder if it's all just a numbers game.

After all, computers deal exceptionally well with numbers.

And the core mechanics of D&D is numbers-based.

The mechanics of it, anyway.

But, I don't believe that the numbers are the basis for the game. Only that they're the way in which probabilities of success and failure are determined in any given "random" encounter.

Last night, before Belzur, Puddintan and Robinous had logged in, I'd joined a high-level group with Bashal (running as Confrag), exploring some of the new Syber Atoll content introduced in Module 8. To play things safe... for me, anyway... I decided to bring PEBKAC along. I mean, healing never hurts, right?

But, as I joined the group, I heard the banter of party members comparing weapon statistics, abilities, skills, and anything else they thought might improve their chances to defeat anything we might encounter.

The exchange wasn't based so much on what the weapons were called, where they were acquired, how they helped "save the day" in a given encounter with some notorious opponent, but how the numbers stacked up.

I have to wonder...

For the 1337 (that's "elite" using "leet speak") or über power-gamers, is it really nothing more than a numbers game? Is it nothing more than statistics and probabilities?

What about the...

prepare yourselves; this is huge...

sense of adventure?

I was just playing through Grinwhite's quest, The Swiped Signet. I hadn't run it before, at any level, and was looking to improve Trinarias' favor with the various patrons throughout the city. I opened the quest on Solo. More to take advantage of some experience, and to warm myself up for a more difficult challenge later.

For the most part, as I work my way through a quest, I tend to ignore the roll of the dice, as I prefer to focus on the adventure. I like to immerse myself in the environment that's been created to help visualize things often before seen only in my imagination. And, in the imagination of those like me who like a good mystery or a tall tale.

I was a tad surprised to find that Trin couldn't operate an Intelligence rune that he encountered.

After all, the quest had been opened on Solo. The easiest setting. A setting low enough that, unbuffed, Trin can normally gain entry to places usually reserved for Wizards with the highest of intelligence.

But, not this time.

Trin's current Intelligence is 21. So, I opened his inventory to see if I might be able to find a potion of Fox's Cunning. After all, it gives a +4 boost to Intelligence.

But, then I stopped.

This is an adventure.

Sometimes there're some things you encounter on an adventure that you simply cannot surmount without the assistance of others. As that's the way it was intended.

As part of the adventure, what might be concealed behind that rune-locked door?

It's a mystery.

One that Trin will have to return to at a later time. Next time, maybe Trin will be more prepared. Or, maybe he'll have some friends along who might be able to lend him a hand.

Maybe it's time to muddy the waters of the pure numbers game that provides the foundation for DDO, and allow the adventure to come to the surface.

Just a thought.

Keep it fun!