TOPIC: I think we have a problem

Mike Steele wrote:

Kirk Bauer wrote:

Druegar wrote: Let folks go to the TD store and by a "Token-Only Run". For the price of a dungeon run, they get a random 10-pack of tokens and Treasure Chips equal to whatever they would be entitled to if they went on a run and got all three treasure stamps.

It has been suggested before and as I recall there was some resistance but I see this as a good idea. There are definitely some people that go on multiple runs and/or ghost characters just to get more treasure, it seems win/win to allow them to just buy the loot and sell the run to somebody else.

On the surface this seems like a good idea to me, but I'm not sure of the scale of the problem. How many slots on how many runs are taken up strictly by ghost characters of people just looking for additional tokens? I know I've never done it nor have I ever been with someone that did that. Does it add up to a couple of dozen slots, or hundreds?

Another question: how many slots were take "zombies?" I.e. People who didn't really want to play, just went on the run to get their loot and spoiled the run for everyone else. Those are the people who started this thread in the first place.

Mike Steele wrote:

Kirk Bauer wrote:

Druegar wrote: Let folks go to the TD store and by a "Token-Only Run". For the price of a dungeon run, they get a random 10-pack of tokens and Treasure Chips equal to whatever they would be entitled to if they went on a run and got all three treasure stamps.

It has been suggested before and as I recall there was some resistance but I see this as a good idea. There are definitely some people that go on multiple runs and/or ghost characters just to get more treasure, it seems win/win to allow them to just buy the loot and sell the run to somebody else.

On the surface this seems like a good idea to me, but I'm not sure of the scale of the problem. How many slots on how many runs are taken up strictly by ghost characters of people just looking for additional tokens? I know I've never done it nor have I ever been with someone that did that. Does it add up to a couple of dozen slots, or hundreds?

This might make some veteran and patron level players go on fewer runs. I might be tempted to only go on 2 runs myself and then just buy completed run token packs for other "runs" to get the equivalent tokens of more runs. But then I think... TD happens once per year... if I am there and I have paid all this money for high level tokens why wouldn't I want to use them as much as possible?....

Sigh....

so there's been some interesting Suggestions here, Let me toss in some thoughts on em.

1 Variable solutions to Puzzles: as a DM I really wish this happened more often... I want the players to feel challenged by later runs, not simply go through on auto pilot... and Variable solutions / puzzles seemed like the best answer.
However, there's a logistics side to consider. Variable puzzles is a further complication for DM's and AC's to juggle, and insure consistent results (what if the "new" puzzle Friday is something no one is getting? when do we change it?)
Plus, there's the side effect of players Knowing now what they are up against. if we change that dynamic, how many benefit from it, but also how many lose by it? Players know they are facing the same puzzles in repeat runs, and Sable side this year I hard of several who cam back to try and solve a particular puzzle (room 3 the Spider web word puzzle).

so I can see the reasoning behind not changing them either.

2. Veteran players on New groups... This has been an issue for as long as I can remember. It takes an astonishingly few bad runs to bring this up each year, as I saw several runs that had Veterans on them doing right, hanging back, letting the newer players shine, even encouraging them, and making the runs better. Yes it's a problem that happens each year, but it's not one easily solved, and over the years, I think Veterans on mixed runs have provided a Huge overall benefit that outweighs the negatives, save for the few folks on those bad runs. I can think of a few Veterans who make it a point to do mixed runs, and enhance the other players experiences.

3. Folks doing multiple runs increasing demand.... As an AC, I find no issue with this, and in fact tend to prefer it, cause the long time players know what they are buying, so there's less frustration if there's a gap between expectation and delivery... plus it allows for "Memorable moments" to be added.

Those are my thoughts on the subject.

That is well thought out Barry. That is a surprise.

jedibcg wrote: That is well thought out Barry. That is a surprise.